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צִפְיוֹן

𐤑𐤐𐤉𐤅𐤍

Tsifeyon

H6837 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צפה to watch, observe, look out, keep lookout

Definition

Tsiphyôn is a proper noun referring to a personal name, specifically an Israelite ancestor. The primary sense is as a male given name, used for a descendant of Gad in genealogical records. The word likely evokes the notion of 'watchfulness' or a 'lookout/place of observation' by virtue of its root association, but as a personal name, it does not refer directly to an observable object or physical watch-tower in context. Semantic variation is limited, as the word is attested solely as a proper name.

Semantic Range

personal name, Israelite ancestor; possible connotation of watchfulness or observation in root, but used exclusively as a name in the biblical context

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root צ-פ-ה (צָפָה, to watch, look out, keep watch), with the suffix -יוֹן functioning as a diminutive or nominal ending, likely indicating 'little watcher' or something watched/observed. The precise nuance of the -יוֹן ending in this personal name context is uncertain, but it is a productive nominal ending in Hebrew.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Tsiphyôn appears only in Genesis 46:16 and Numbers 26:15 as a personal name of a descendant of Gad in the listing of Israelite tribal clans. The name is rendered 'Ziphion' in many English Bibles, though the Hebrew form more distinctly preserves the initial 'ts' sound. Its use is limited exclusively to genealogical contexts. There is some textual connection to the later form צְפוֹן (Zephon) found in 1 Chronicles 5:12 as a possible variant or occurring as a parallel tradition. The Hebrew term for actual watch-tower or lookout is מִצְפֶּה (mitzpeh), a different derivation. English translations substitute the more familiar name forms but typically do not communicate the root meaning or the possible connection to 'watching' or 'lookout.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from צָפָה; watch-tower; Tsiphjon, an Israelite; Ziphion. Compare צְפוֹן.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6837-01 צִפְי֥וֹן tsifeyon HNp Ziphion Watchful-one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6837-01 Genesis 46:16 צִפְי֥וֹן tsifeyon HNp Ziphion Watchful-one
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