Judges 4:4 - Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time.

Generated Verse: Judges 4:4

What does "Judges 4:4" mean?


This verse from Judges 4:4 establishes Deborah as a significant figure in Israelite history, highlighting three key aspects of her identity and role:

Prophetess: The verse identifies Deborah as a "prophetess," meaning she was believed to have received messages or insights from God, which she then communicated to the people. This prophetic role gave her spiritual authority and made her a leader in Israel.
Wife of Lappidoth: The verse mentions that Deborah was "the wife of Lappidoth." However, nothing else is known about Lappidoth from the Bible. Some scholars suggest "Lappidoth" may not be a proper name but could refer to "torches" or "flames," perhaps indicating Deborah was a fiery or passionate woman.
Judged Israel at that time: The verse states that Deborah "judged Israel at that time." In the Book of Judges, "judging" refers to a leadership role that included delivering the people from oppression, settling disputes, and providing guidance. Deborah's role as a judge indicates she held a position of significant political and social authority in Israel during her time.

In summary, Judges 4:4 introduces Deborah as a woman with both spiritual and political power, a prophetess and a leader who played a crucial role in the history of Israel.