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מִצְפֶּה

𐤌𐤑𐤐𐤄

Mitsepeh

H4708 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צפה to look out, watch, observe

Definition

A place name meaning 'watchtower' or 'lookout point'; used for several locations in the Hebrew Bible, often high or elevated sites associated with observation, assembly, or significant events. The term can refer generically to a place of watching, or specifically as a toponym for settlements or landmarks named for their function or geographic position.

Semantic Range

watchtower, lookout point, observation post; name of settlements or sites likely situated for observation or assembly; proper noun used for multiple locations in the southern Levant.

Root / Etymology

From the root צָפָה (צ-פ-ה), which means 'to watch, look out, observe.' Mitspeh is a noun derived from this root, denoting a lookout point, observation post, or watchtower. The term appears as a proper noun for multiple locations likely named for their strategic or topographic suitability for observation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מִצְפֶּה (Mitspeh) is attested as the name of several distinct sites in biblical texts (e.g., in Benjamin, Gilead, Moab). These locations were often associated with gatherings, assemblies, or sites of military or religious significance, likely due to their elevated positions that offered strategic advantage for observation and defense. Unlike מִצְפָּה (Mizpah), which is the more commonly attested form in later biblical Hebrew, מִצְפֶּה appears with variant vocalization but similar meaning and function. In translation, these place names were sometimes rendered as 'Mizpeh' or 'Mizpah', and later identified traditionally with sites in the region historically called Palestine. English renderings like 'watchtower' can both capture the basic meaning but may obscure its use as a proper name. The designation does not refer to ethnicity or people group, only to geographic sites.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as מִצְפֶּה; Mitspeh, the name of five places in Palestine; Mizpeh, watch tower. Compare מִצְפָּה.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צפה (ṣ-p-h) — to look out, watch, observe

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4707 מִצְפֶּה the lookout-post
H4709 מִצְפָּה in the Watchtower
H6822 צָפָה I will keep vigilant watch
H6823 צָפָה overlaid
H6824 צָפָה your flood

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4708-01 הַ/מִּצְפָּ֑תָ/ה hamitsepatah HTd/Np/Sd Mizpah to the Watchtower 4
H4708-02 מִצְפֶּ֖ה mitsepeh HNp Mizpah Watchtower 3
H4708-04 וְ/הַ/מִּצְפֶּ֖ה vehamitsepeh HC/Td/Np and Mizpeh and the Watchtower 2
H4708-03 וּ/מִ/מִּצְפֵּ֣ה umimitsepeh HC/R/Np and from Mizpah and from Watchtower 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4708-02 Joshua 11:8 מִצְפֶּ֖ה mitsepeh HNp Mizpeh Watchtower
H4708-04 Joshua 15:38 וְ/הַ/מִּצְפֶּ֖ה vehamitsepeh HC/Td/Np and the Mizpeh and the Watchtower
H4708-04 Joshua 18:26 וְ/הַ/מִּצְפֶּ֥ה vehamitsepeh HC/Td/Np and Mizpeh and the Watchtower
H4708-02 Judges 11:29 מִצְפֵּ֣ה mitsepeh HNp Mizpah Watchtower
H4708-03 Judges 11:29 וּ/מִ/מִּצְפֵּ֣ה umimitsepeh HC/R/Np and from Mizpah and from Watchtower
H4708-02 1 Samuel 22:3 מִצְפֵּ֣ה mitsepeh HNp to Mizpeh Watchtower
H4708-01 Jeremiah 40:6 הַ/מִּצְפָּ֑תָ/ה hamitsepatah HTd/Np/Sd to-the-Mizpah to the Watchtower
H4708-01 Jeremiah 40:8 הַ/מִּצְפָּ֑תָ/ה hamitsepatah HTd/Np/Sd Mizpah to the Watchtower
H4708-01 Jeremiah 40:12 הַ/מִּצְפָּ֑תָ/ה hamitsepatah HTd/Np/Sd Mizpah to the Watchtower
H4708-01 Jeremiah 40:13 הַ/מִּצְפָּֽתָ/ה hamitsepatah HTd/Np/Sd to Mizpah to the Watchtower
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