a learned commentator, was the son of a clergyman, and was born at the rectory of Stoke-upon-Trent, in March 1602. After receiving his elementary education at Moroton Green, near Congleton, he entered, in 1617, Christ's College, Cambridge, where he applied himself to the study of the learned languages, and was reputed the best orator among the undergraduates. At the age of nineteen he became Bachelor of Arts; and leaving the university, acted as usher for two years in a school at Repton, in Derbyshire. He then took orders, and was appointed curate of Norton-under-Hales, in Shropshire. While chaplain in the family of Sir Rowland Cotton, he became imbued with an enthusiasm for the study of Hebrew; and shortly afterwards, resigning his cure, he removed to London, in order to devote his time wholly to study. Here, after a short stay, he formed the design of travelling abroad, but was prevailed on to become pastor of Stone, in his native county. This charge he quitted in 1628, a short time after his marriage, and removed to Hennsey, near London, for the purpose of consulting Sion College Library in the course of his studies. In 1629 appeared his first work, Erubhims, or Miscellanies, Christian and Judicial. Sir Rowland Cotton, to whom it was dedicated, presented him, in 1630, to the rectory of Ashley, in Staffordshire.

Lightfoot now devoted himself ardently and exclusively to the study of the Scriptures; and in order to superintend the publication of his researches, he, in 1642, again repaired to London, where he was appointed minister of St Bartholomew's, behind the Exchange. On account of his great biblical learning, he was nominated a member of the Assembly of Divines, and in their councils he was a bold and hearty friend of the Presbyterian party. He preached before the House of Commons in March 1643, and was soon after nominated by the parliamentary visitors Master of Catherine Hall, Cambridge. At the close of the year he was presented to the rectory of Great Munden, in Hertfordshire. In 1644 appeared the first part of his Harmony, accompanied by an outline of the entire work, which was slowly filled in during the later years of his life. Having taken the degree of Doctor in Divinity in 1652, he was elected Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1655, and was about the same time engaged in revising the Polyglott Bible as it went to the press. At the Restoration his mastership of Catherine Hall, which he had offered to resign, was confirmed to him, along with his living of Great Munden. A prebend in the church of Ely was also bestowed upon him by Lord-Keeper Bridgman. In 1661 he was appointed one of the assistants at the conference upon the Liturgy; but, disliking the heat of controversy, he soon ceased to attend, and retired to Munden, where a cordial affection subsisted between him and his rustic flock. Favoured by a healthy constitution and by abstemious habits he continued till his death, December 6, 1675, to labour at his Harmony.

Dr Lightfoot's fame rests upon his intimacy with Rabbinical learning, and in this no English commentator has ever surpassed him. A collection of his works was first printed in 2 vols. folio in 1684, and supplemented by an 8vo volume of Remains in 1700. The best edition is edited, with a life of the author, by the Rev. J. R. Pitman, A.M., 13 vols., London, 1825.