Revision #9373
Lapidoth
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Biblical Record
- Lapidoth appears only once, in Judges 4:4. The text reads, "And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time," introducing him solely as the husband of Deborah. The Bible records nothing about his family, tribe, occupation, or deeds.
+ Lapidoth appears only once in Scripture, in Judges 4:4: "And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time." The verse identifies him only as the husband of Deborah. The Bible records nothing about his family, tribe, occupation, or deeds.
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= ## Significance Within the Bible
- Lapidoth's name serves to introduce Deborah, who was active during the period of the judges as a prophet and judge (a leader who governed and judged Israel). This is understood to reflect the ancient Israelite custom of identifying a woman by the name of her husband or father. Lapidoth is not mentioned in the New Testament.
+ Lapidoth's name serves to introduce Deborah, who was active during the period of the judges as a prophet and judge, a leader who governed and judged Israel. The reference is generally understood to follow the ancient Israelite custom of identifying a woman by the name of her husband or father. Lapidoth is not mentioned in the New Testament.
=
= ## Interpretations and Debates
- The Hebrew word *Lapidoth* has the same form as the plural of *lappid*, meaning "torch." For this reason, some interpreters hold that "wife of Lapidoth" (*eshet lappidot*) should be read not as a personal name but as an expression describing Deborah's character, such as "woman of torches" or "fiery woman." Jewish rabbinic tradition is also reported to preserve a story that Deborah made wicks for the lamps of the sanctuary, as well as a view identifying Lapidoth with Barak, whose name means "lightning." These accounts, however, are not stated directly in the text. Most translations, including the Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version, render Lapidoth as the name of Deborah's husband.
+ The Hebrew *Lapidoth* has the same form as the plural of *lappid*, meaning "torch." Some interpreters therefore hold that the phrase "wife of Lapidoth" (*eshet lappidot*) should be read not as a reference to a personal name but as a description of Deborah's character, such as "woman of torches" or "fiery woman." Jewish rabbinic tradition is also reported to include a story that Deborah made wicks for the lamps of the sanctuary, as well as a view identifying Lapidoth with Barak, whose name means "lightning." These accounts, however, are not stated directly in the text. Most translations, including the Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version, render Lapidoth as the name of Deborah's husband.
=
- ## In the Korean Church
- Lapidoth is rarely treated as a topic in his own right in sermons or Sunday school. He is usually mentioned briefly, as the name of Deborah's husband, in the account of Deborah. Some sermons present him as a husband who supported his wife's ministry, but this interpretation adds to what the text actually says. Because Deborah's leadership is frequently cited in discussions of women's ordination, the verse is also sometimes quoted as evidence that Deborah was a married woman.
+ ## In Korean Churches
+ In Korean churches, Lapidoth is rarely treated as a subject in his own right in sermons or Sunday school. He is usually mentioned briefly, as the name of Deborah's husband, within the account of Deborah. Some sermons present him as a husband who supported his wife's ministry, but this application goes beyond what the text says. Because Deborah's leadership is frequently cited in discussions of women's ordination, the verse is also sometimes quoted as showing that Deborah was a married woman.
Lapidoth is a figure in the Old Testament book of Judges and the husband of Deborah, the prophetess and judge. He is mentioned by name only once in the Bible, in Judges 4:4.
Lapidoth is an Old Testament figure in the book of Judges, the husband of Deborah, the prophetess and judge. The Bible mentions him by name only once, in Judges 4:4.
Full revision
Lapidoth is an Old Testament figure in the book of Judges, the husband of Deborah, the prophetess and judge. The Bible mentions him by name only once, in Judges 4:4.
Biblical Record
Lapidoth appears only once in Scripture, in Judges 4:4: "And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time." The verse identifies him only as the husband of Deborah. The Bible records nothing about his family, tribe, occupation, or deeds.
Significance Within the Bible
Lapidoth's name serves to introduce Deborah, who was active during the period of the judges as a prophet and judge, a leader who governed and judged Israel. The reference is generally understood to follow the ancient Israelite custom of identifying a woman by the name of her husband or father. Lapidoth is not mentioned in the New Testament.
Interpretations and Debates
The Hebrew Lapidoth has the same form as the plural of lappid, meaning "torch." Some interpreters therefore hold that the phrase "wife of Lapidoth" (eshet lappidot) should be read not as a reference to a personal name but as a description of Deborah's character, such as "woman of torches" or "fiery woman." Jewish rabbinic tradition is also reported to include a story that Deborah made wicks for the lamps of the sanctuary, as well as a view identifying Lapidoth with Barak, whose name means "lightning." These accounts, however, are not stated directly in the text. Most translations, including the Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version, render Lapidoth as the name of Deborah's husband.
In Korean Churches
In Korean churches, Lapidoth is rarely treated as a subject in his own right in sermons or Sunday school. He is usually mentioned briefly, as the name of Deborah's husband, within the account of Deborah. Some sermons present him as a husband who supported his wife's ministry, but this application goes beyond what the text says. Because Deborah's leadership is frequently cited in discussions of women's ordination, the verse is also sometimes quoted as showing that Deborah was a married woman.