זִיפִי (zi.phi)
zi.phi
Ziphite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The term ziphite identifies a resident of Ziph, a town in the Judean wilderness south of Hebron. The name itself likely derives from the Hebrew word for "smelter," suggesting that the inhabitants were known for metalworking or lived near mining operations. This etymological detail provides a concrete glimpse into the economic life of the region during the biblical period.
In Scripture, this group appears exclusively in the narrative of King Saul’s pursuit of David. The ziphites act as informants, reporting David’s location to the king on two separate occasions (1 Samuel 23:19; 26:1). Their involvement highlights the political tensions of the era, as local communities navigated their loyalty between the reigning monarch and the rising leader who would eventually become king.
Because the word occurs only twice, it functions primarily as a geographical marker rather than a theological concept. It reminds readers that David’s flight was not just a spiritual journey but a physical one through inhabited lands where local populations played active roles in the unfolding political drama.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Ziphite refers to a resident of Ziph, a town in the Judean wilderness south of Hebron. Its name likely comes from a root meaning "smelter," hinting at a local economy tied to metalworking. In Scripture, these people appear only during King Saul’s pursuit of David, acting as informants who reported his hiding places to the king.
For your faith, this detail grounds the biblical narrative in real human complexity. It shows that David’s journey was not just a spiritual test but a physical struggle through inhabited lands where ordinary people navigated difficult loyalties. You can trust that God sees every person involved, even those who seem to oppose His chosen ones.
When you face uncertainty or pressure from others, remember that God remains sovereign over every relationship and location. The Ziphites’ actions did not stop God’s plan; they were part of a larger story where faithfulness ultimately triumphs. This reminds us that we can rest in God’s care, even when the people around us are unpredictable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Ziphites1×
- Ziphites1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זִפִים֙1×
- הַ/זִּפִים֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 23:19
Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert?
This verse marks the first time the Ziphites betray David’s location to Saul, showing how local alliances shifted during the political tension.
-
I Samuel 26:1
The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?”
Here the Ziphites again report David’s position, demonstrating their consistent role in enabling Saul’s pursuit despite David’s mercy toward the king.