LAPPIDOTH

lap'-i-doth, -doth (lappidhoth, "flames," "torches"; the King James Version, Lapidoth): Deborah's husband (Judges 4:4). The Hebrew name is a feminine plural like Jeremoth (1 Chronicles 7:8), Naboth (1 Kings 21:1). The plural is probably intensive. Jewish interpreters have identified Lappidoth ("flames") with Barak ("lightning"). Some have taken the words rendered "wife of Lappidoth" ('esheth lappidhoth) as a description of Deborah, and have translated them, "woman of lights," i.e. maker of wicks for the sanctuary; or "woman of flames," referring to her prophetic zeal. These explanations are more interesting than probable.

John A. Lees

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.