Original Word: לַפִּיד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: lappiyd
Pronunciation: lap-PEED
Phonetic Spelling: (lap-peed')
KJV: (fire-)brand, (burning) lamp, lightning, torch
NASB: torches, torch, burning torches, lightning flashes
Word Origin: [from an unused root probably meaning to shine]

1. a flambeau, lamp or flame

firebrand, burning lamp, lightning, torch

Or lappid {lap-peed'}; from an unused root probably meaning to shine; a flambeau, lamp or flame -- (fire-)brand, (burning) lamp, lightning, torch.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a torch
NASB Translation
burning torches (1), lightning flashes (1), torch (4), torches (7).

לַמּיד noun masculine^{Judges 15:4} torch (Late Hebrew id.); — ׳ל absolute Judges 15:4; Isaiah 62:1; construct Genesis 15:17; Zechariah 12:6; plural לַמִּידִים Judges 15:5 2t., לַמִּידִם Exodus 20:18, לַמִּדִים Judges 7:16 3t.; construct לַמִּידֵי Daniel 10:6: — torch, Judges 7:16,20; Judges 15:4 (twice in verse); Judges 15:5 (kindled, ׳הִבְעִיר אֵשׁ בְּ); לַמִּיד אֵשׁ Genesis 15:17 ( + עָשָׁן, תַּנּוּר; J E), Zechariah 12:6 (simile of conquering power of [chiefs of] Judah; "" כִּיּוֺר אֵשׁ), לַמִּידֵי אֵשׁ Daniel 10:6 (simile of eyes of angel in vision; "" וּפָנָיו כְּמַרְאֵה בָרָק); simile of flashes (reflected from) darting chariots Nahum 2:15 ("" בְּרָקִים); ׳ל of lightning-flashes Exodus 20:18 (E; + קוֺלֹת thunder-peals); of flashing water-drops expelled by snortings of crocodile Job 41:11 ("" כִּידוֺדֵי אֵשׁ); of flame between cherubim Ezekiel 1:13 ("" גַּחֲלֵיֿ אֵשׁ, אֵשׁ); simile of Zion's glorious deliverance Isaiah 62:1 ("" נֹגַהּ). — לַמִּיד Job 12:5 see below מִּיד.

Literal Fire, Light, and Movement

Strong’s 3940 most frequently denotes the common torch or flaming brand. In everyday life a lapid provided portable light for night travel, guarded homes from predators, and signaled movements in battle. The term therefore appears in narratives where sudden brightness, heat, and urgency are in view.

Covenant Illumination (Genesis 15:17)

“Behold, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch passed between the pieces.”

The torch that moved through the severed animals assured Abram that the unilateral covenant rested on God’s own immutable oath. The fiery brand, independent of human hands, communicated divine presence and reliability. In ministry the scene encourages believers to rest in God’s self–attesting promises, not in human performance.

Revelatory Awe at Sinai (Exodus 20:18)

“All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking.”

Here lapidim (“lightning” or “flames”) accompany the giving of the Law. The same fiery imagery later accompanies the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, linking the Sinai covenant to the new covenant written on hearts (Acts 2). God’s moral law is never a cold ledger; it comes with consuming holiness.

Strategic Warfare: Gideon and Samson (Judges 7; Judges 15)

Gideon’s three hundred each carried “trumpets and empty jars, with torches inside” (Judges 7:16). When the jars were smashed, the sudden blaze and noise spread panic in Midian’s camp, proving that “salvation is of the LORD.”

Samson tied three hundred foxes “tail to tail and attached a torch to each pair” (Judges 15:4). The improvised incendiary weapons devastated Philistine crops, a judgment against covenant violators. Both accounts present lapid as an unlikely but decisive tool when wielded under divine direction.

Poetic and Wisdom Imagery (Job 12:5; Job 41:19)

“To one at ease there is scorn for misfortune— it is ready for those whose feet slip” (Job 12:5). The “torch of contempt” pictures how those comfortable can scorch the afflicted with careless words.

“Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire shoot forth” (Job 41:19). Leviathan’s terrifying breath magnifies God’s creative power; no human weapon can match the lapid streaming from this creature.

Prophetic Symbol of Salvation and Judgment

Isaiah 62:1: “Until her righteousness shines like a radiant light, her salvation like a blazing torch.”

Zechariah 12:6: “I will make the leaders of Judah like a flaming torch among sheaves.”

Nahum 2:4 pictures Nineveh’s chariots “appearing like torches,” signifying frantic futility before judgment. In each case the torch either announces deliverance for God’s people or impending doom for His enemies. The dual function cautions and comforts: the same fire that destroys stubble refines gold.

Apocalyptic Vision and Angelic Splendor (Ezekiel 1:13; Daniel 10:6)

Ezekiel observes something “like blazing torches moving back and forth among the living creatures,” while Daniel describes a heavenly messenger whose “eyes were like flaming torches.” These scenes convey unapproachable purity and ceaseless energy around the throne, stirring reverent worship.

Ministry Application: Bearing the Torch

1. Evangelism: As Gideon’s men concealed and then revealed their lights, believers carry the gospel in “jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7) so that the surpassing power is clearly God’s.
2. Holiness: Lapid imagery warns against treating sin lightly; the God who appeared as a torch between covenant pieces still searches hearts with eyes of flame (Revelation 2:18).
3. Perseverance: Isaiah’s promise of salvation blazing like a torch assures weary servants that God’s redemptive plan will not be extinguished.

Summary

Whether literal in hand, coursing through prophetic visions, or burning as metaphor, the lapid consistently represents God’s active, illuminating power. It exposes darkness, guides His people, confounds adversaries, and guarantees covenant faithfulness. The believer’s charge is to walk in that light and reflect it unashamedly until the day when “night will be no more” (Revelation 22:5).

בַּלַּפִּדִ֔ים בַּלַּפִּידִ֔ים בלפדים בלפידים הַלַּפִּדִ֔ים הַלַּפִּידִ֗ם הלפדים הלפידם וְלַפִּ֣יד וְלַפִּדִ֖ים וּכְלַפִּ֥יד וכלפיד ולפדים ולפיד כְּלַפִּ֣ידֵי כְּלַפִּ֥יד כַּלַּפִּידִ֔ם כלפיד כלפידי כלפידם לַפִּ֣יד לַפִּ֥יד לַפִּדִ֗ים לַפִּידִ֣ים לפדים לפיד לפידים bal·lap·pi·ḏîm bal·lap·pî·ḏîm ballappiDim ballappiḏîm ballappîḏîm hal·lap·pi·ḏîm hal·lap·pî·ḏim hallappiDim hallappiḏîm hallappîḏim kal·lap·pî·ḏim kallappiDim kallappîḏim kə·lap·pî·ḏê kə·lap·pîḏ kelapPid kəlappîḏ kəlappîḏê kelapPidei lap·pi·ḏîm lap·pî·ḏîm lap·pîḏ lapPid lappîḏ lappiDim lappiḏîm lappîḏîm ū·ḵə·lap·pîḏ uchelapPid ūḵəlappîḏ velapPid velappiDim wə·lap·pi·ḏîm wə·lap·pîḏ wəlappîḏ wəlappiḏîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts