### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Tsûwph**, represented by `{{H6689}}`, is defined as "honey-comb" but is used in Scripture as a proper name for an Israelite and a place in Palestine. It appears as **Tsûwph** (Zuph) or **Tsôwphay** (Zophai). This term appears **4 times** across **4 unique verses**, where it plays a key role in establishing both lineage and location.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical usage, `{{H6689}}` functions in two distinct contexts. First, it serves as a personal name identifying an ancestor of Elkanah, the father of Samuel. The genealogy in 1 Samuel lists Elkanah as "the son of Zuph" [[1 Samuel 1:1]]. This lineage is confirmed in 1 Chronicles, where the name appears as both **Zuph** [[1 Chronicles 6:35]] and **Zophai** [[1 Chronicles 6:26]]. Second, it designates a geographical area, "the land of **Zuph**," which Saul entered while searching for his father's lost asses [[1 Samuel 9:5]].
### Related Words & Concepts
One key related term helps to contextualize the significance of `{{H6689}}`:
* `{{H7436}}` **Râmâthayim Tsôwphîym** (Ramathaimzophim): This place name, meaning "double height of watchers," is the hometown of Elkanah. Its appearance in the same verse that names Zuph as an ancestor suggests a strong connection between the land and the patriarch of the clan who settled it [[1 Samuel 1:1]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H6689}}` lies not in a theological concept, but in its function as a narrative anchor for genealogy and geography.
* **Genealogical Anchor:** By identifying **Zuph** as an ancestor of Samuel's father, the term establishes the heritage of a pivotal figure in Israel's history. It grounds Samuel's family within the tribe of Ephraim [[1 Samuel 1:1]] and the Levitical line [[1 Chronicles 6:35]].
* **Geographical Landmark:** As "the land of **Zuph**," the name provides a specific setting for a key moment in Saul's journey toward kingship [[1 Samuel 9:5]], rooting the narrative in a tangible location within Palestine.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6689}}` is a specific identifier that functions as both a personal and geographical name. As **Zuph** or **Zophai**, it marks an important ancestor in the Levitical lineage. As the "land of **Zuph**," it marks a location in Saul's early travels. The term is crucial for providing the biblical narrative with a clear sense of lineage and place, demonstrating how identity was often tied to both ancestry and territory.
TRV