Phonetic Spelling: Devora

Meaning: Bee

Whilst Deborah’s name means bee, it is interesting to note that her name comes from a root Hebrew word, debar - H1696, which means to speak or to command or to pronounce. There are other words in the Bible translated as speak other than debar , but there context is slightly different. When the word debar is used which has a phonetic pronunciation davar, it represents more of a command or pronouncement as opposed to amar which is like speaking to a friend.

When we understand the root of the word and the way it was transformed to create a name it gives us a greater understanding. A ‘commanding bee’ is none other than the Queen bee. The hive centers around the queen bee. This is position that the Lord called Deborah to occupy as the fourth judge of Israel. She was preceded by Othniel, Calebs younger brother, Ehud, the left hand swordsman, Shamgar who killed six hundred philistines with an ox goad.

Deborah was indeed an outstanding woman and prophetess of the Lord. Her name describes her main calling. Israel was scattered throughout the Land because of there idolatry. God raised her up to bring his people back to him and to deliver them. She was given the task to call the man whom God had chosen to fight for Israel. As a mother in Israel she was to nurture and groom them back to what God had intended them to be and she was indeed loved and respected by all. This is what the Bible says about her.

Judges 4:4

4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

Deborah was indeed a women of virtue, fot the full study download the PDF or power point presentation. May God bless you as you study his Word...