לַפִּידוֹת
𐤋𐤐𐤉𐤃𐤅𐤕
Lapidot
H3941 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Lappîydôth is a proper noun used as a personal name, meaning 'torches' or 'flames', derived from the plural of the noun לַפִּיד (lappid, 'torch, flame'). In the biblical text, this name is most notably attributed to the individual identified as the husband of the prophetess Deborah. While functioning as a personal name in context, the underlying literal meaning refers to devices or objects that produce light, such as torches. The semantic range covers personal naming convention and metaphorical associations with light or burning.
Semantic Range
proper name (personal name), torch, flame, burning light (in plural form as a name)
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root ל-פ-ד (l-p-d), meaning 'to shine, to burn, to blaze.' לַפִּיד (lappid) designates a torch or a burning light source. לַפִּידוֹת (Lappîydôth) is the feminine plural form of this noun, likely functioning as a proper name. The etymology thus indicates a literal meaning of 'torches' or 'burning lights.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Judges 4:4, לַפִּידוֹת is mentioned only as a proper name—the husband of Deborah. The use of a plural, feminine form as a masculine proper name is notable; in Hebrew onomastics, plural or feminine forms occasionally appear as singular proper names, possibly to convey a characteristic (e.g., fiery, shining). There is no evidence that this name refers to a function or title; it is best treated as a theophoric or symbolic personal name. Some interpretive traditions see metaphorical connections (such as 'man of torches'—possibly hinting at ardor or zeal), but the text itself provides no explicit support. Despite the later translation of Deborah as the 'wife of Lappidoth,' some scholars have suggested that the word might have a secondary, descriptive or symbolic sense (e.g., 'woman of fire/torch-like spirit'), but lexically it functions as a proper name in the biblical context. The later use of the English term 'Lappidoth' is simply a transliteration of the Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine plural of לַפִּיד; Lappidoth, the husband of Deborah; Lappidoth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לפד (l-p-d) — to shine, to burn, to blaze
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3940 | לַפִּיד | in the torches |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3941-01 |
לַפִּיד֑וֹת | lapidot | HNp |
Lappidoth | Torches | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3941-01 |
Judges 4:4 | לַפִּיד֑וֹת | lapidot | HNp |
Lappidoth | Torches |