צְפַ֑ת (tse.phat)
tse.phat
Zephath
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tsephat refers to a specific Canaanite city located within the territory of Simeon. Its name literally means "watch-tower," which likely describes its strategic position or function as a fortified lookout point in the ancient landscape.
This location appears only once in the Bible, in Judges 1:17. The text records that the tribe of Simeon joined with Judah to attack and capture the city. Following this military victory, the Israelites renamed the place Hormah, marking a significant shift in its identity from a Canaanite stronghold to an Israelite possession.
The renaming serves as a historical marker for the reader. By changing the name from "watch-tower" to "Hormah," the biblical narrative highlights the complete transfer of control and the fulfillment of the conquest in that region. The single mention preserves the memory of this specific event in the tribal history of Simeon.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zephath means "watch-tower," a fitting title for a fortified city that stood as a strategic lookout in ancient Canaan. In Judges 1:17, we read of the tribe of Simeon joining forces with Judah to capture this stronghold. This event marks a moment where human effort and divine promise intersected, resulting in the city's destruction and its renaming to Hormah.
For your faith today, this story reminds us that God often works through community and shared purpose. The tribes did not act alone; they fought together to reclaim what was promised. When you face challenges that seem like impenetrable fortresses, remember that unity with other believers can provide the strength needed to overcome them.
While the city itself is gone, its story remains as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His word. It invites us to trust that He will guide our steps and help us navigate the battles we face, turning places of fear into testimonies of victory.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Zephath1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צְפַ֑ת1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 1:17
Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah.
This verse records the specific military alliance between Judah and Simeon that led to the capture and renaming of Zephath to Hormah.