Deborah's Teaching

Debbora enim prophetis, uxor Lapidoth, judicabat populum in illo tempore, et sedebat sub palma inter Rama et Bethel in monte Ephraim, ascendebantque ad eam filii Isreal in omne judicium. Debbora, quae interpretatur apis, sive loquela, in prophetia et forma accipenda est de qua scribitur: Quam dulcia faucibus meis eloquia tua. Consideremus ubi locus prophetiae esse describitur. Sub palma, inquit, sub palma sedem habet prophetia, quia quos suis institutionibus erudit, ad palmam supernae vocationis adducit. Inter medium autem Rama et inter medium Bethel sedere prophetia dicitur, quia Rama interpretatur excelsa, Bethel autem domus Dei, utique quia nos in domo Dei positos, non quae in terra sunt quaerere docet, sed quae in coelis sunt. Sanctus Isidorus Hispalensis,Mysticorum Expositiones Sacramentorum Seu Quaestiones In Vetus Testamentum, In Librum Judicum, Cap II Migne PL 83.380

Deborah the prophetess, wife of Lapidoth, judged the people in that time, and she sat beneath a palm between Rama and Bethel on mount Ephriam, and there came up to her for judgement the sons of Israel. 1 Deborah, is interpreted bee, or speech, and in prophecy and form it is understood concerning her that it is written: 'How sweet in my throat your words'. 2 Let us consider the place where the prophetess is said to be. Beneath a palm, it says, beneath a palm the prophetess had her seat, because instructing them with her teaching she guided them to the palm of supernal calling. And between Rama and between Bethel it is said the prophetess sat, because Rama is interpreted exalted, and Bethel the house of God, as then we who are placed in the house of God teach that one should not seek the things of earth, but the things of heaven. Saint Isidore of Seville, Expositions of Sacred Mysteries or Questions on the Old Testament, On The Book of Judges, Chap 2 1 Judges 4.4-5 2 Ps 118.103