מִפְתָּן (miph.tan)
miph.tan
threshold
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun miphṭan refers to the threshold, the physical strip or sill at the entrance of a doorway. It marks the boundary between the interior space and the outside world, serving as a literal point of entry or exit in ancient homes and temples.
In Scripture, this word appears only three times, notably in 1 Samuel 5:5 where it describes the threshold of the temple of Dagon, and in Zephaniah 1:9. Its usage often carries symbolic weight, representing a place of transition or a limit that should not be crossed lightly. The presence of the word in these contexts highlights its role as a significant marker within the narrative structure.
Translators typically render miphṭan simply as "threshold," though some versions use "doorstep" or "entrance." The term emphasizes the physical structure itself rather than the act of crossing it, anchoring the reader in the tangible reality of the setting. Its rarity in the biblical text underscores the specific importance of these particular moments where the threshold becomes central to the story.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word miphṭan points to the physical sill at a doorway, marking the line between what is inside and what lies outside. In ancient homes, this small strip of stone or wood held great significance. It was not merely architectural; it defined boundaries of safety, privacy, and respect. When someone crossed that threshold, they moved from one sphere of life into another.
Scripture uses this concrete image to teach spiritual lessons about reverence and order. In 1 Samuel, the defeat of Dagon happens right at this boundary, showing that God’s authority extends even into the places where other gods are worshipped. The priests could not even step on it without consequence, highlighting how seriously God takes the sanctity of His presence versus false worship.
For your faith life, this reminds us to be mindful of the boundaries we cross. Just as the threshold marked a limit in ancient times, our choices define where we stand. We are invited to honor the spaces God has set apart and to recognize that entering into relationship with Him requires respect for His holiness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ threshold2×
- [the] threshold of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִפְתַּ֥ן1×
- הַ/מִּפְתָּ֖ן1×
- הַ/מִּפְתָּ֔ן1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 5:4
When they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before Yahweh’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact.
This verse shows the threshold as the specific location where Dagon’s power is broken, demonstrating that God’s victory occurs even at the entrance of false worship.
-
I Samuel 5:5
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
Here the threshold becomes a lasting symbol of reverence, as priests avoid stepping on it to acknowledge the shame and defeat of their god.
-
Zephaniah 1:9
In that day, I will punish all those who leap over the threshold, who fill their master’s house with violence and deceit.
The prophet uses leaping over the threshold as a metaphor for bypassing moral boundaries, showing that God judges those who ignore limits He has set.