צְפוֹ
𐤑𐤐𐤅
Tsefo
H6825 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tsᵉphôw (or Tsᵉphî) is a proper personal name designating an individual, specifically listed as a descendant of Esau and thus associated with the Edomite (Idumaean) peoples. The word itself does not carry a lexical meaning apart from its use as a proper noun, but it is transparently derived from a root meaning 'to look out, to observe.' In context, it serves solely as a name and does not denote any particular characteristic unless by association with root meaning.
Semantic Range
personal name; potential associative sense of 'watcher' or 'observer' (from the root); name of an Edomite/Idumaean clan leader
Root / Etymology
From the root צפה (ts-ph-h), meaning 'to look out, to keep watch, to observe.' The form צְפוֹ is likely an abbreviated or dialectal variant of צְפִי (Tsᵉphî), itself a byform from the same root. The nominal use as a personal name may reflect a descriptive or aspirational quality (e.g., 'observer/watcher'), though such direct semantic labeling in anthroponyms is not always explicit in ancient Hebrew naming conventions.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Tsᵉphôw is mentioned in Genesis 36:11, 15 as a son of Eliphaz (son of Esau), placing him among Edomite clan leaders. The variant spelling צְפִי (Zephi in some English translations) also appears and refers to the same individual; the divergence is likely due to textual variants or dialectal preferences in the manuscripts. The translation 'Zepho' or 'Zephi' in English Bibles is a transliteration, but some older translations may interpret the name based on its root meaning. In the Hebrew Bible, the name does not occur with additional attributes or explanatory formulae, distinguishing it from names with explicit theophoric or descriptive elements. The association of this person with the Idumaean/Edomite lineage is consistent across the biblical and later extra-biblical references. In later reception history, the spelling 'Zepho' was used in the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate traditions, and the person was sometimes conflated or connected to legendary figures (see Josephus, Antiquities 2.69), but this lies beyond biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or צְפִי; from צָפָה; observant; Tsepho or Tsephi, an Idumaean; Zephi, Zepho.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צפה (ts-p-h) — to watch, to observe, to look out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4707 | מִצְפֶּה | the lookout-post |
| H4708 | מִצְפֶּה | to the Watchtower |
| H4709 | מִצְפָּה | in the Watchtower |
| H6822 | צָפָה | I will keep vigilant watch |
| H6823 | צָפָה | overlaid |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6825-02 |
צְפ֥וֹ | tsefo | HNp |
Zepho | Watcher | 2 |
H6825-01 |
צְפִ֣י | tsefi | HNp |
Zephi | Watcher | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6825-02 |
Genesis 36:11 | צְפ֥וֹ | tsefo | HNp |
Zepho | Watcher |
H6825-02 |
Genesis 36:15 | צְפ֖וֹ | tsefo | HNp |
Zepho | Watcher |
H6825-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:36 | צְפִ֣י | tsefi | HNp |
Zephi | Watcher |