Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical Location:Ziph is a notable location in the biblical narrative, primarily recognized as a city in the hill country of Judah. It is situated southeast of Hebron and is associated with the wilderness that bears its name, the Wilderness of Ziph. This area is characterized by its rugged terrain and sparse vegetation, making it a suitable place for hiding and refuge.
Biblical References:Ziph is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of David's flight from King Saul. The inhabitants of Ziph, known as the Ziphites, played a significant role in the events surrounding David's evasion of Saul's pursuit.
1.
1 Samuel 23:14-15 : "David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not deliver David into his hands. While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life."
2.
1 Samuel 23:19-20 : "Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, 'Is David not hiding among us in the strongholds of Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon? Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hands.'"
3.
1 Samuel 26:1-2 : "Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, 'Is David not hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?' So Saul, accompanied by three thousand choice men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there."
Historical and Theological Significance:The narrative of Ziph highlights the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and divine protection. The Ziphites' actions in betraying David to Saul underscore the political tensions and personal loyalties that characterized the period of David's rise to power. Despite their betrayal, David's life is preserved by divine intervention, illustrating God's providential care over His anointed.
The Wilderness of Ziph serves as a backdrop for David's development as a leader and a man of faith. It is in these desolate places that David composes several psalms, expressing his trust in God amidst adversity. The experiences in Ziph contribute to David's preparation for kingship, refining his character and deepening his reliance on God.
Archaeological Insights:Modern archaeological efforts have identified the ancient site of Ziph with Tell Zif, located approximately 8 miles southeast of Hebron. Excavations have revealed remains from various periods, including the Iron Age, which corresponds to the time of David. These findings provide a tangible connection to the biblical narrative and offer insights into the historical context of the region.
Cultural Context:In the broader cultural and historical context, Ziph and its surrounding wilderness were part of the tribal allotment of Judah. The region's geography made it a strategic location for both defense and refuge. The interactions between David and the Ziphites reflect the complex social dynamics of ancient Israel, where tribal affiliations and personal alliances often influenced political actions.
Ziph remains a testament to the enduring themes of faith, perseverance, and divine sovereignty that permeate the biblical account of David's life.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ziphthis mouth or mouthful; falsehood
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ziph(battlement), the name of two towns in Judah.
- In the south, named between Ithnan and Telem. (Joshua 15:24) It does not appear again in the history, nor has any trace of has been met with.
- In the highland district, named between Carmel and Juttah. (Joshua 15:55) The place is immortalized by its connection with David. (1 Samuel 23:14,15,24;26:2) These passages show that at that time it had near it a wilderness (i,e, a waste pasture-ground) and a wood. The latter has disappeared but the former remains. The name ofZif if, found about three miles south of Hebron, attached to a rounded hill of some 100 feet in height, which is calledTell Zif .
- Son of Jehaleleel. (1 Chronicles 4:16)
ATS Bible Dictionary
ZiphA city of Judah, four miles south-east of Hebron; near it were wild fastness in which David for a long time lay hid,1 Samuel 23:14,15.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Flowing.
(1.) A son of Jehaleleel (1 Chronicles 4:16).
(2.) A city in the south of Judah (Joshua 15:24), probably at the pass of Sufah.
(3.) A city in the mountains of Judah (Joshua 15:55), identified with the uninhabited ruins of Tell ez-Zif, about 5 miles south-east of Hebron. Here David hid himself during his wanderings (1 Samuel 23:19;Psalm 54, title).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ZIPH (1)zif (ziph; Ozeib, or Ziph):
(1) A town in the hill country of Judah, mentioned along with Maon, Carmel and Jutah (Joshua 15:55). It is chiefly celebrated in connection with the earlier history of David: "David.... remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph" (1 Samuel 23:14, 15, 24;1 Samuel 26:2); the Ziphites (1 Samuel 23:19;1 Samuel 26:1; compare Psalm 54 title) sought to betray him to Saul, but David escaped. Ziph was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:8). The name also occurs in1 Chronicles 2:42;1 Chronicles 4:16. In connection with this last (compare 4:23) it is noticeable that Ziph is one of the four names occurring on the Hebrew stamped jar handles with the added la-melekh, "to the king."
The site is Tell Zif, 4 miles Southeast of Hebron, conspicuous hill 2,882 ft. above sea-level; there are cisterns and, to the East, some ruins (PEF, III, 312, 315).
(2) A town in the Negeb of Judah (Joshua 15:24), site unknown.
E. W. G. Masterman
ZIPH (2)
(ziph, meaning unknown):
(1) A grandson of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:42); the Septuagint has Zeiph.
(2) A son of Jehallelel (1 Chronicles 4:16). In the Septuagint's Codex Alexandrinus reads Ziphai, but Codex Vaticanus has the totally different form Ameachei.
Strong's Hebrew
2128.Ziph -- a son of Judah, also a city Southeast of Hebron and......Ziph. 2129 . a son of Judah, also a city Southeast of Hebron and a city in S.
Judah. Transliteration:
Ziph Phonetic Spelling: (zeef) Short Definition:
Ziph.
...2130. Ziphi -- inhab. ofZiph
... Ziphi. 2131 . inhab. ofZiph. Transliteration: Ziphi Phonetic Spelling: (zee-fee')
Short Definition: Ziphites. Word Origin fromZiph Definition inhab....
2129. Ziphah -- an Israelite
... Word Origin fem. ofZiph Definition an Isr. NASB Word Usage Ziphah (1). Ziphah.
Feminine of Ziyph; a flowing; Ziphah, an Israelite -- Ziphah. see HEBREW Ziyph....
Library
How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did...
... 2. Then David removed thence, and came to a certain place called the New Place,
belonging toZiph; where Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to him, and saluted him...
A Soldier who Spared his Enemy
... So David lived in the Wilderness ofZiph and stayed in the mountain
strongholds. Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying...
Psalm LIV.
... There was a certain village,Ziph, whereof the inhabitants were Ziphites, in whose
country David had hidden himself, when Saul would find and slay him....
The Exile --Continued.
... dogs David's steps. The people ofZiph, a small place on the edge of the
southern desert, betray his haunt to Saul. The king receives...
The Exile --Continued.
... After a second betrayal by the men ofZiph, and a second meeting with Saul"their
last"in which the doomed man parts from him with blessing and predictions...
Concerning Rehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for...
... two tribes, built strong and large cities, Bethlehem, and Etare, and Tekoa, and
Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam, and Ipan, and Maresha, andZiph, and Adorlam...
Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan
... And so the two friends parted, and saw one another, it seems, but once again, when
Jonathan went to David in the forest ofZiph, and 'strengthened his hand in...
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... 2 Chronicles 11:6-10, where we find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam:
Bethlehem, Etam, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah,Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish...
In Judaea
... fanciful. [17] Such as Tekoah, Engedi,Ziph, Maon, and Beersheba, which
gave their names to districts in the wilderness of Judaea....
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <....
Thesaurus
Ziph (9 Occurrences)...ZIPH (1). zif (
ziph; Ozeib, or
Ziph): (1) A town in the hill country of Judah,
mentioned along with Maon, Carmel and Jutah (Joshua 15:55).
...Ziph'ion (1 Occurrence)
Ziph'ion. Ziphion,Ziph'ion. Ziphites . Multi-Version Concordance
Ziph'ion (1 Occurrence). Genesis 46:16 And the sons...
Ziphah (1 Occurrence)
... zi'-fa (ziphah, a feminine form of "Ziph"): A Judahite, "son" of Jehallelel.... 1
Chronicles 4:16 The sons of Jehallelel:Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel....
Maon (7 Occurrences)
... nits (ma`on; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Maor, Maan; Codex Alexandrinus Maon):
(1) A town in the mountain of Judah named along with Carmel andZiph (Joshua 15...
Hachilah (3 Occurrences)
... The darksome hill, one of the peaks of the long ridge of el-Kolah, running out of
theZiph plateau, "on the south of Jeshimon" (ie, of the "waste"), the...
Keilah (16 Occurrences)
... men "departed from Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go." They fled to the
hill Hareth, about 3 miles to the east, and thence through Hebron toZiph (qv...
Juttah (3 Occurrences)
... Version, Septuagint Itan, A, Ietta); ju'-ta (yaTah), Joshua 15:55): A town in the
hill country of Judah, mentioned with Maon, Carmel andZiph; a Levitical city...
Jutah (1 Occurrence)
... Version, Septuagint Itan, A, Ietta); ju'-ta (yaTah), Joshua 15:55): A town in the
hill country of Judah, mentioned with Maon, Carmel andZiph; a Levitical city...
Jeshimon (6 Occurrences)
... 23:28; 1 Samuel 23:19, 24); or rather not a proper name at all, but simply "the
waste" or "wilderness," the district on which the plateau ofZiph (qv) looks...
Maonites (3 Occurrences)
... nits (ma`on; Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Maor, Maan; Codex Alexandrinus Maon):
(1) A town in the mountain of Judah named along with Carmel andZiph (Joshua 15...
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