Hebrew prophet Deborah doesn’t fit the stereotype, but Biblical text barely notices

She and a non-Israelite woman are heroes of battle story

Sculpture “Deborah Judging Israel” from the Nebraska Capitol building in Lincoln. Public-domain image by Ammodramus entered into the public domain via Wikimedia.

Think of the stereotypical Old Testament prophet, and a bearded figure is likely to come to mind. The same might be said of an Israelite judge, a type of leader that Israel had before it had kin…