מִצְפֶּה
𐤌𐤑𐤐𐤄
mitspeh
H4707 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place of lookout or watch, often positioned on elevated ground; a watch tower, observation post, or any location designated for the purpose of monitoring surrounding territory. The term also refers to specific geographic sites named for their prominence as lookout points. Its semantic range includes both functional structures (such as towers or platforms) and named locations characterized by their suitability for observing approaching danger or the lay of the land.
Semantic Range
watch tower, lookout, observation post, place of observation, sentinel post, high place for watching, a named lookout point or geographic site
Root / Etymology
From the root צָפָה (tsph), meaning 'to look out, to watch, to keep watch,' indicating a place or structure that facilitates observation. The noun form מִצְפֶּה is a substantive indicating a designated location or construction for watchfulness. The form is a nominal derived from root by the מִ prefix and the nominal pattern, representing place of action.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word מִצְפֶּה is used in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible to denote both physical structures (watch towers or sentry posts) and named high places (such as Mizpah). In the patriarchal and monarchic periods, watch towers were common on city walls or in agricultural fields, serving as early-warning sites against threats (military or otherwise). The word sometimes refers to strategic lookout points rather than constructed towers. Geographic names such as Mizpah are derived from this root, emphasizing the connection between physical elevation and watchfulness. English translations often narrow מִצְפֶּה to 'watchtower,' but the Hebrew term is somewhat broader, encompassing both structural and topographic sites of surveillance. In some post-exilic and later Jewish usage, the connection to 'watching' took on metaphorical or spiritual dimensions, though in the biblical text, the usage remains concretely spatial and practical.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צָפָה; an observatory, especially formilitary purposes; watch tower.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צפה (ts-p-h) — to look out, to watch, to observe, to keep watch
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4708 | מִצְפֶּה | to the Watchtower |
| H4709 | מִצְפָּה | in the Watchtower |
| H6822 | צָפָה | I will keep vigilant watch |
| H6823 | צָפָה | overlaid |
| H6824 | צָפָה | your flood |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4707-02 |
מִצְפֶּ֣ה | mitsepeh | HNcmsa |
watchtower | watch-post | 1 |
H4707-01 |
הַ/מִּצְפֶּ֖ה | hamitsepeh | HTd/Ncmsa |
the watchtower | the lookout-post | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4707-02 |
Isaiah 21:8 | מִצְפֶּ֣ה | mitsepeh | HNcmsa |
watchtower | watch-post |
H4707-01 |
2 Chronicles 20:24 | הַ/מִּצְפֶּ֖ה | hamitsepeh | HTd/Ncmsa |
the watchtower | the lookout-post |