← H2129 H2131 →

זִיפִי

𐤆𐤉𐤐𐤉

Zifi

H2130 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain to mark, to overlay, uncertain (root of זִיף); to be related to Ziph (gentilic)

Definition

Demonymic adjective meaning 'inhabitant of Ziph' or 'Ziphite,' referring to individuals associated with the town or region of Ziph. Used to identify persons by their origin from Ziph, usually appearing in plural (זִיפִים, Ziphim) to denote the collective inhabitants or a group from Ziph.

Semantic Range

inhabitant of Ziph, Ziphite, people from Ziph, Ziphim (collective)

Root / Etymology

Patrial (gentilic adjective) derived from the proper noun זִיף (Ziph), indicating descent from or association with the location Ziph. The root of זִיף is uncertain, but the form זִיפִי follows a common pattern of forming gentilic adjectives in Hebrew, marked by the suffix -ִי (yod).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, זִיפִי occurs in passages referring to individuals or groups associated with the town of Ziph in the territory of Judah, particularly in the narratives concerning David's flight from Saul (e.g., 1 Samuel 23:19; Psalm 54 title, where the Ziphim report David's location). The usage is specific and geographic, not ethnically or religiously distinct from other Judahite townspeople. English translations often render the term as 'Ziphite(s)' or 'inhabitant(s) of Ziph,' though some older translations have used 'Ziphim.' The term does not carry independent connotations beyond geographic association. There is no evidence for a distinct ethnic group named the Ziphites; rather, the term denotes origin or residence. The plural form is used in narratives involving collective action by the people of Ziph.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

patrial from זִיף; a Ziphite or inhabitant of Ziph; Ziphim, Ziphite.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

זיף (z-y-p̄) — marking, overlaying, uncertain; place-name root (Ziph)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2129 זִיפָה and Ziphah

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2130-01 הַ/זִּפִים֙ hazifim HTd/Ngmpa the Ziphites the Ziphite men 2
H2130-02 זִפִים֙ zifim HNgmpa Ziphites Ziphite men 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2130-02 1 Samuel 23:19 זִפִים֙ zifim HNgmpa Ziphites Ziphite men
H2130-01 1 Samuel 26:1 הַ/זִּפִים֙ hazifim HTd/Ngmpa the Ziphites the Ziphite men
H2130-01 Psalms 54:2 הַ֭/זִּיפִים hazifim HTd/Ngmpa the Ziphites the Ziphite men
← H2129 Hebrew Lexicon H2131 →