the same as סְפָר; Sephar, a place in Arabia; Sephar.
Transliteration:Çᵉphâr
Pronunciation:sef-awr'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5611}}` (Çᵉphâr) is a proper noun, specifically a geographical designation. Its core meaning is singular and denotative: "Sephar," a particular place located in Arabia. Unlike common nouns or verbs that possess a broad semantic range, `{{H5611}}` functions as a fixed identifier for a specific locale. While its etymological root may be related to the verb `{{H5606}}` (sāphar, "to count, recount, number") or the noun `{{H5608}}` (sēpher, "book, writing"), its usage in the biblical text is exclusively as a place name. Thus, its semantic range is limited to its identity as a geographical marker, likely signifying a boundary or a significant point of reference, perhaps even a place where records or numbers were kept due to its strategic location.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5611}}` occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the genealogical and geographical survey of the Table of Nations:
* [[Genesis 10:30]]: "And their dwelling was from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east."
This verse describes the geographical extent of the territory inhabited by the descendants of Joktan, one of the sons of Eber, who was a descendant of Shem. Sephar is presented here as the easternmost boundary of their settlement, explicitly qualified as "the mountain of the east." This descriptor is crucial for its identification. Scholars generally locate Sephar in southern Arabia, possibly corresponding to the ancient city of Zafar (or Dhofar) in modern Yemen, a region historically significant for its trade in frankincense and myrrh. The mention of "Mesha" as the western boundary, followed by Sephar to the east, paints a picture of a vast territory stretching across the Arabian peninsula. The inclusion of such a specific, albeit singular, geographical marker within the Table of Nations underscores the historical and geographical grounding that the biblical author attributes to these early post-Flood settlements.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun, `{{H5611}}` is primarily related to other geographical and tribal terms within the biblical narrative, particularly those found in the Table of Nations in [[Genesis 10]].
* **Geographical Markers:** It is explicitly linked with "Mesha" as a boundary marker, delineating the territory of the Joktanites. The phrase "mountain of the east" further situates it within the ancient Near Eastern understanding of geography.
* **Tribal Lineages:** Sephar is directly associated with the descendants of Joktan, including Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab ([[Genesis 10:26-29]]). These names represent various ancient Arabian tribes and regions.
* **Wider Context:** It falls within the broader framework of the Shemitic peoples, descendants of Shem, one of Noah's sons. This connects Sephar to the larger narrative of humanity's dispersion and the formation of distinct nations after the Flood.
* **Potential Etymological Links:** While its primary function is a place name, the shared root with `{{H5606}}` (sāphar, "to count, tell") or `{{H5608}}` (sēpher, "writing, book") might suggest a place known for its records, its role in enumerating territories, or perhaps even a boundary stone. However, this remains speculative given its singular usage as a proper noun.
### Theological Significance
The solitary mention of Sephar (`{{H5611}}`) within the Table of Nations in [[Genesis 10]] carries significant theological weight, despite its brevity.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Creation and Nations:** The detailed enumeration of peoples and their territories, including specific geographical markers like Sephar, illustrates God's sovereign ordering of the world. It demonstrates that the dispersion and settlement of humanity across the earth were not chaotic but part of a divine plan.
* **Historical Grounding of the Narrative:** The inclusion of identifiable, real-world locations like Sephar lends historical credibility to the biblical account. It anchors the narrative of early humanity in concrete geography, asserting that these events unfolded in a tangible world, not a mythical realm.
* **Fulfillment of the Mandate:** The description of the vast territories, from Mesha to Sephar, reflects the fulfillment of the divine command to Noah and his descendants to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" ([[Genesis 9:1]]). Sephar signifies the reach of humanity's expansion into the farthest known regions of the ancient world.
* **Unity and Diversity of Humanity:** By tracing all nations back to a common ancestor (Noah), and then distributing them into distinct geographical regions marked by places like Sephar, the text simultaneously affirms the unity of humanity and the divinely ordained diversity of nations and their respective lands.
### Summary
`{{H5611}}` (Çᵉphâr) is a unique Hebrew proper noun designating a specific geographical location in ancient Arabia, known as Sephar. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Genesis 10:30]] places it as the eastern boundary of the territory inhabited by the descendants of Joktan, described as "the mountain of the east." This singular reference is crucial for understanding the geographical scope of the early post-Flood world as depicted in the Table of Nations. Theologically, Sephar underscores the historical grounding of the biblical narrative, God's sovereign ordering of the nations, and the fulfillment of the divine mandate for humanity to spread across the earth, highlighting both the unity and diversity of peoples within God's creation.
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