צְפוֹנִי (tse.pho.ni)
tse.pho.ni
Zephonite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term tsephoni functions as a gentilic adjective meaning "Zephonite," identifying a descendant of Zephon, a son of the patriarch Gad. In the biblical text, it appears only once in Numbers 26:15, where it serves as a collective noun for this specific family group within the tribe of Gad.
Its formation follows a standard Hebrew pattern for denoting lineage or origin, attaching the suffix -i to the proper name Zephon. The sources note that Zephon himself is listed among the sons of Gad in Genesis 46:16 and Numbers 26:15, linking this small clan directly to the larger tribal structure during the wilderness period.
While the word carries no independent theological weight, it preserves a precise genealogical marker. It highlights how the biblical record tracks even minor family lines, ensuring that every branch of Israel’s ancestry is accounted for in the census records before the people enter the Promised Land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zephonite appears in Numbers 26:15 as part of a census list for the tribe of Gad. This term identifies the descendants of Zephon, one of Gad’s sons. It is a simple label used to distinguish this specific family group from others in the same tribe.
While it may seem like just a name on a page, its presence shows that God keeps careful track of every person. The biblical record does not skip over small families or minor names. Each entry matters because each individual is known by God.
This attention to detail offers comfort. You are not overlooked in God’s plans. Just as Zephon’s lineage was recorded, your life and faith are fully seen and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Zephonite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/צְּפוֹנִ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:15
The sons of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites; of Haggi, the family of the Haggites; of Shuni, the family of the Shunites;
This verse uses the term to identify one of the specific family units within the tribe of Gad during the second census in the wilderness.