צָפוֹן
𐤑𐤐𐤅𐤍
Tsafon
H6829 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
(1) Geographical direction: 'north'—the cardinal point opposite south in reference to a map based on the sunrise (east); (2) Proper noun: 'Zaphon'—a city or area associated with the tribe of Gad, located east of the Jordan River. The noun may also carry connotations of 'hidden' or 'obscured,' reflecting ancient perceptions of the north as a region of mystery, darkness, or cosmic significance in Northwest Semitic thought.
Semantic Range
north (direction), the north (as a region), the northern quarter or side, place name (Zaphon), mythological or cosmic north, symbolically hidden or obscure region
Root / Etymology
From the root צפן (ts-p-n), meaning 'to hide' or 'to store.' The derivation suggests a link between the notion of the north as a hidden or obscure place, possibly also informed by mythological associations with divine dwelling or mountains located in the far north in wider Northwest Semitic tradition.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early Israelite texts (e.g., narrative and prophetic books), צָפוֹן most frequently designates the geographical north. This orientation is significant for describing the directions from which weather patterns, invading armies (notably from Assyria and Babylon), or cosmic threats appear. In later periods, the north became symbolically associated with both physical threat and divine mystery. The use of צָפוֹן as a place name refers specifically to a town or region within the tribal allotment of Gad (Josh 13:27). In Northwest Semitic mythologies, 'Zaphon' also denoted a sacred mountain (Baal's mountain), though this association is not explicit in Israelite texts but provides important comparative background. English translations usually employ 'north' or 'Zaphon,' but do not always capture the underlying associations with hiddenness or divine residence. The term's range covers both routine directions (e.g., Ezek 1:4) and more symbolic contexts (e.g., Isa 14:13), where it may allude to cosmic geography.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as צָפוֹן; boreal; Tsaphon, a place in Palestine; Zaphon.
Bantu Hebrew
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צפן (ts-p-n) — hide, conceal, store
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4710 | מִצְפֻּן | his concealed stores |
| H6827 | צְפוֹן | to Zephon |
| H6828 | צָפוֹן | in the north |
| H6830 | צְפוֹנִי | the Northerner |
| H6831 | צְפוֹנִי | the Tsephonite clansman |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6829-01 |
וְ/צָפ֗וֹן | vetsafon | HC/Np |
and Zaphon | and Zaphon | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6829-01 |
Joshua 13:27 | וְ/צָפ֗וֹן | vetsafon | HC/Np |
and Zaphon | and Zaphon |