the same as צָפוֹן; boreal; Tsaphon, a place in Palestine; Zaphon.
Transliteration:Tsâphôwn
Pronunciation:tsaw-fone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H6829}}` (Tsâphôwn) is a proper noun, referring to a specific geographical location. Its base definition indicates it is "the same as `{{H6828}}`," which is the common noun צָפוֹן (tsaphon), meaning "north" or "hidden/dark." Thus, the place name Tsaphon (or Zaphon) likely derives its meaning from this root, suggesting either a location situated in a northern direction relative to some reference point, or perhaps a place characterized by being "hidden" or "obscure." While the common noun `{{H6828}}` has a broad semantic range encompassing the cardinal direction north, the specific place name `{{H6829}}` narrows this to a singular, identifiable site within the biblical landscape. Its "boreal" connotation reinforces the northern aspect.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The proper noun `{{H6829}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joshua:
* [[Joshua 13:27]]: "and in the valley, Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as a border, as far as the end of the Sea of Chinnereth, on the east side of the Jordan."
In this context, Zaphon is enumerated as one of the cities within the tribal allotment given to the tribe of Gad, located in the Jordan Valley, east of the Jordan River. Its mention alongside other known cities like Succoth and Beth-haram helps to geographically anchor the territory designated for Gad. The precise listing of these cities underscores the meticulous nature of the land division, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel regarding their inheritance. Its position "on the east side of the Jordan" places it in Transjordan, distinguishing it from territories west of the river.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation for `{{H6829}}` is its root word, `{{H6828}}` (צָפוֹן, tsaphon), which commonly denotes the "north" as a cardinal direction. This connection suggests that the place Zaphon may have been named due to its northern location within a specific regional context, or perhaps its position relative to another significant landmark. The concept of cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) is fundamental to biblical geography and cosmology, often used to define boundaries, describe movements, or even symbolize spiritual concepts (e.g., "north" sometimes associated with divine judgment or the dwelling of God, as in [[Psalm 48:2]]). Other related concepts include the meticulous detailing of tribal allotments (e.g., [[Numbers 34]], [[Joshua 15-19]]), which emphasizes the divine order and precision in the distribution of the Promised Land.
### Theological Significance
As a specific place name, the theological significance of `{{H6829}}` is primarily found in its contribution to the overarching narrative of God's faithfulness and sovereignty in the allocation of the Promised Land. The detailed enumeration of cities like Zaphon in [[Joshua 13:27]] serves several theological purposes:
1. **Fulfillment of Promise:** It demonstrates the tangible reality of God's covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants regarding their inheritance of the land ([[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18]]).
2. **Divine Order and Authority:** The precise boundaries and named cities reflect the divine order and authority by which the land was divided among the tribes, underscoring that the inheritance was not a random acquisition but a divinely ordained gift.
3. **Historical Veracity:** The specificity of the geographical details, including less prominent places like Zaphon, lends historical veracity to the biblical account, grounding the narrative in a real, identifiable world.
While Zaphon itself does not carry overt symbolic or prophetic meaning, its inclusion reinforces the meticulous nature of God's providential care for His people and the exactitude of His word.
### Summary
`{{H6829}}` (Tsâphôwn or Zaphon) is a proper noun denoting a specific city located in the Jordan Valley, east of the Jordan River, within the tribal territory allotted to Gad. Its name is derived from the Hebrew word for "north" (`{{H6828}}`), likely indicating its geographical orientation or a characteristic of being hidden. Appearing only in [[Joshua 13:27]], its significance lies not in any inherent symbolic meaning, but in its role as a precise geographical marker. Its inclusion in the detailed account of the tribal allotments underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, His meticulous ordering of the land, and the historical veracity of the biblical narrative concerning Israel's inheritance.
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