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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/4-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/07_Jdg_04_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 4:4 - Deborah and Barak" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/4-3.htm" title="Judges 4:3">◄</a> Judges 4:4 <a href="/judges/4-5.htm" title="Judges 4:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deborah, a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deborah, a woman who was a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Deborah the wife of Lappidoth was a prophet and a leader of Israel during those days. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Deborah, wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet. She was the judge in Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Now Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet, and she was serving as a judge for the Israelites at that time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Deborah, a woman, prophet, and wife of Lappidoth, was herself judging Israel during that time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Deborah, a woman, a prophetess, wife of Lapidoth, she is judging Israel at that time,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Deborah, a woman inspired, wife of Lapidoth, she is judging Israel at that time,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Deborah, a woman, a prophetess, wife to Lapidoth, she judged Israel in that time.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And there was at that time Debbora a prophetess the wife of Lapidoth, who judged the people, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now there was a prophetess, Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, who judged the people in that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />At that time the prophet Deborah, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapithor, judged Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the woman Debora, the Prophetess wife of Lapithor, also was judging Israel at that time<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Debbora, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, - she judged Israel at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/4-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=946" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/4.htm">Deborah and Barak</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and he had harshly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1683.htm" title="1683: ū·ḏə·ḇō·w·rāh (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- Two Isr. women. Or Dborah; the same as dbowrah; Deborah, the name of two Hebrewesses.">Now Deborah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5031.htm" title="5031: nə·ḇî·’āh (N-fs) -- Feminine of nabiy'; a prophetess or inspired woman; by implication, a poetess; by association a prophet's wife.">a prophetess,</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’ê·šeṯ (N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/3941.htm" title="3941: lap·pî·ḏō·wṯ (N-proper-ms) -- Husband of Deborah. Feminine plural of lappiyd; Lappidoth, the husband of Deborah.">of Lappidoth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: šō·p̄ə·ṭāh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To judge, govern. ">was judging</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">at that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: bā·‘êṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">time.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hî (Art:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>And she would sit under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites would go up to her for judgment.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20</a></span><br />Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">2 Kings 22:14</a></span><br />So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-36.htm">Luke 2:36-38</a></span><br />There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, / and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. / Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-9.htm">Acts 21:9</a></span><br />He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-9.htm">1 Samuel 9:9</a></span><br />(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-22.htm">2 Chronicles 34:22</a></span><br />So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Isaiah 3:12</a></span><br />Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-4.htm">Micah 6:4</a></span><br />For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses before you, as well as Aaron and Miriam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">1 Corinthians 11:5</a></span><br />And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/16-1.htm">Romans 16:1-2</a></span><br />I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. / Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-12.htm">1 Timothy 2:12</a></span><br />I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a></span><br />There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28-29</a></span><br />And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-3.htm">Philippians 4:3</a></span><br />Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have contended at my side for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-26.htm">Acts 18:26</a></span><br />And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20</a></b></br> And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">2 Kings 22:14</a></b></br> So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/6-14.htm">Nehemiah 6:14</a></b></br> My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Deborah</a> <a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Deb'orah</a> <a href="/exodus/35-34.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/judges/4-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/3-10.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/judges/3-10.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-23.htm">Leading</a> <a href="/joshua/13-22.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Prophetess</a> <a href="/judges/3-29.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/1-13.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/4-5.htm">Deborah</a> <a href="/judges/4-5.htm">Deb'orah</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-10.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/judges/4-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/10-2.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/judges/10-2.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Leading</a> <a href="/judges/6-8.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">Prophetess</a> <a href="/judges/5-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/4-17.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/4-1.htm">Deborah and Barak deliver them from Jabin and Sisera</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/4-17.htm">Jael kills Sisera</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now Deborah, a prophetess</b><br>Deborah is one of the few female prophets mentioned in the Bible, highlighting her unique role in a predominantly patriarchal society. Her position as a prophetess indicates that she was a spokesperson for God, receiving and delivering divine messages. This role is significant as it underscores the idea that God can choose anyone, regardless of gender, to fulfill His purposes. Other notable prophetesses in the Bible include Miriam (<a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Exodus 15:20</a>) and Huldah (<a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">2 Kings 22:14</a>). Deborah's prophetic role also foreshadows the New Testament teaching that in Christ, there is neither male nor female (<a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>), emphasizing spiritual equality.<p><b>the wife of Lappidoth</b><br>The mention of Deborah as the wife of Lappidoth provides insight into her personal life, grounding her in a familial context. The name Lappidoth means "torches" or "lights," which could symbolically reflect Deborah's own role as a light and guide for Israel. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a woman's identity was often linked to her husband, yet Deborah's leadership and prophetic role stand out independently, suggesting her significant influence and authority.<p><b>was judging Israel</b><br>Deborah's role as a judge indicates that she was a leader and decision-maker for the nation of Israel. Judges in this period were not only judicial figures but also military leaders and deliverers. Her position as a judge is particularly noteworthy because it demonstrates that God raised her up to lead His people during a time of oppression by the Canaanites. This period of the judges was characterized by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, as described in <a href="/judges/2-16.htm">Judges 2:16-19</a>. Deborah's leadership is a testament to God's sovereignty in choosing leaders who may defy societal norms.<p><b>at that time</b><br>The phrase "at that time" situates Deborah's judgeship during a specific period in Israel's history, marked by turmoil and oppression. This was a time when Israel was under the threat of King Jabin of Canaan and his commander Sisera, as detailed in <a href="/judges/4-2.htm">Judges 4:2-3</a>. The historical context is crucial for understanding the challenges Deborah faced and the significance of her leadership. Her judgeship is part of the larger narrative of the Book of Judges, which chronicles the cyclical pattern of Israel's faithfulness and rebellion, highlighting the need for righteous leadership and divine intervention.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/deborah.htm">Deborah</a></b><br>A prophetess and judge of Israel, Deborah is a unique figure in the Old Testament. She is one of the few female leaders mentioned in the Bible, known for her wisdom and courage. Her role as a judge indicates her leadership and spiritual authority in Israel during a time of oppression.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/lappidoth.htm">Lappidoth</a></b><br>Mentioned as Deborah's husband, little is known about Lappidoth. His mention highlights Deborah's marital status, which was significant in the cultural context of the time.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of Israel was under oppression by the Canaanite king Jabin during this period. Deborah's leadership was crucial in rallying the Israelites to seek deliverance from their enemies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophetess.htm">Prophetess</a></b><br>Deborah's role as a prophetess signifies her ability to receive and communicate God's messages. This role was vital in guiding Israel according to God's will.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judging.htm">Judging</a></b><br>Deborah's position as a judge involved settling disputes and providing leadership. This role was both judicial and military, as judges often led Israel in battles against their oppressors.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_use_of_women_in_leadership.htm">God's Use of Women in Leadership</a></b><br>Deborah's role as a judge and prophetess demonstrates that God can and does use women in significant leadership positions. This challenges cultural norms and encourages the church to recognize and support the gifts of women in ministry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_and_faith_in_leadership.htm">Courage and Faith in Leadership</a></b><br>Deborah's account is a testament to the courage and faith required to lead God's people. Her reliance on God's guidance serves as a model for leaders today to seek divine wisdom and strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_discernment.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Discernment</a></b><br>As a prophetess, Deborah's ability to discern God's will was crucial. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a deep relationship with God to discern His guidance in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_and_cooperation_in_god's_work.htm">Unity and Cooperation in God's Work</a></b><br>Deborah's collaboration with Barak in leading Israel to victory illustrates the importance of unity and cooperation among God's people. Working together in obedience to God brings about His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_deborah's_role_culturally_accepted.htm">Judges 4:4–5 depicts Deborah holding a high leadership role—would this have been culturally acceptable at the time? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_a_woman_lead_a_nation_in_the_bible.htm">Does the Bible allow a woman to lead a nation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_judges_4_9_a_later_editorial_addition.htm">Judges 4:9 features a prophecy about Sisera’s defeat by a woman—could this be a later editorial addition that conflicts with the main story? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_women_in_ministry.htm">What does the Bible say about women in ministry?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Deborah.</span>--The name means "bee," like the Greek Melissa. The names of Jewish women were often derived from natural objects, as Rachel, "a lamb," Tamar,"a palm," &c. It has been sometimes regarded as a title given to her as a prophetess, just as the priestesses of Delphi were called Bees (Pindar, <span class= "ital">Pyth. iv.</span> 106); and priests were called by the title Malebee (<span class= "ital">Ess?n</span>)<span class= "ital">. </span>But the fact that Rachel's nurse (<a href="/genesis/35-8.htm" title="But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.">Genesis 35:8</a>) had the same name is against this supposition, though Josephus (<span class= "ital">Antt. v.</span>, ? 5) accepts it. She had, as Cornelius a Lapide quaintly says, "a sting for foes, and honey for friends." The pronunciation Deb?rah is now so deeply-rooted in England (possibly from the Vulgate, Debbora) that it would, perhaps, be pedantic to alter it; but properly the "?" is long <span class= "greekheb">?????</span>; LXX., Deborra and Debb?ra).<p><span class= "bld">A prophetess.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">a woman, a prophetess; </span>like Miriam (<a href="/exodus/15-20.htm" title="And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.">Exodus 15:20</a>), Huldah (<a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm" title="So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelled in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.">2Kings 22:14</a>), Noadiah (<a href="/nehemiah/6-14.htm" title="My God, think you on Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.">Nehemiah 6:14</a>), Anna (<a href="/luke/2-36.htm" title="And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;">Luke 2:36</a>), &c. She is the only female judge, or, indeed, female ruler of any kind in Jewish history, except the Phoenician murderess, Athaliah. She is also the only judge to whom the title "prophet" is expressly given. "Prophetess" (like the Latin <span class= "ital">Vates</span>) implies the possession of poetic as well as of prophetic gifts (<a href="/exodus/15-20.htm" title="And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.">Exodus 15:20</a>); and we see her right to such a title, both in her predictions (<a href="/judges/4-9.htm" title="And she said, I will surely go with you: notwithstanding the journey that you take shall not be for your honor; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.">Judges 4:9</a>), her lofty courage (<a href="/judges/5-7.htm" title="The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.">Judges 5:7</a>), and the splendour of her inspired song (Judges 5). She has modern parallels in the Teutonic prophetesses, Veleda and Alaurinia (Tac., <span class= "ital">Germ. </span>8), and Joan of Arc, the "Inspired Maid of Domremi." Among the Jews prophetesses were the exception; among the ancient Germans they were the rule. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/4-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now Deborah,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּדְבוֹרָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḏə·ḇō·w·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1683.htm">Strong's 1683: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deborah -- two Israelite women</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a prophetess,</span><br /><span class="heb">נְבִיאָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḇî·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5031.htm">Strong's 5031: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prophetess, inspired woman, a poetess, a, prophet's wife</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wife</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֖שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Lappidoth,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַפִּיד֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lap·pî·ḏō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3941.htm">Strong's 3941: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lappidoth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was judging</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁפְטָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(šō·p̄ə·ṭāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at that</span><br /><span class="heb">הִ֛יא</span> <span class="translit">(hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">time.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעֵ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/4-4.htm">Judges 4:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/4-4.htm">OT History: Judges 4:4 Now Deborah a prophetess the wife (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/4-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 4:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 4:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/4-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 4:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 4:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>