Deborah
Israelite / Jew Hebrew; judged in mount Ephraim · Conquest & Judges · Old Testament
- Name means
- Bee
- Role
- Prophetess and judge of Israel
- When
- The days of the judges
What they did
Judged Israel under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel. She called Barak to fight Sisera, went with him, and sang a song of victory afterwards.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
God raised her up as 'a mother in Israel' to deliver His people from oppression and to call them back to trust in Him.
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. Judges 4:4 (KJV)
Bible references
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. Judges 4:4-5 (KJV)
And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. Judges 4:14 (KJV)
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 (KJV)
So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years. Judges 5:31 (KJV)
Family
- Spouse(s)
- Lapidoth