צְפָתָה
𐤑𐤐𐤕𐤄
Tsefatah
H6859 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tsᵉphâthâh is the name of a location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, likely referring to a specific place, whose precise location is uncertain but associated with a significant military event involving the Judahites. The term has no independent lexical meaning aside from its use as a toponym. It may be connected to the concept of 'watching' or 'lookout,' if related to the underlying root.
Semantic Range
proper name of a location, possibly 'Place of the Lookout'; a valley or area associated with military encounter; related to the semantic field of watching, observation, or high vantage points
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root צפה (ts-p-h), meaning 'to look out, observe, watch.' Tsᵉphâthâh is a proper noun form, most likely related to or an alternative spelling of צְפַת (Tsephath), itself thought to denote a 'lookout' or prominent height suitable for observation. However, as a place-name, the etymological nuance is often subordinate to its function as a geographic designation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Tsᵉphâthâh appears only in 2 Chronicles 14:10, designating the location where Asa, king of Judah, confronted Zerah the Cushite. The name is closely related to (and sometimes considered a variant spelling of) צְפַת (Zephath), an earlier Canaanite/Israelite site mentioned in Judges 1:17 and later called Hormah. The rendering of Tsᵉphâthâh as a unique place-name in Chronicles reflects either a later local variant or a textual tradition identifying the site of a key event in monarchic Judahite history. In English translations, the name is variously transliterated as Zephathah or Tsophathah, and occasionally replaced with interpretive place-names. The underlying meaning ('watch-post' or 'lookout') is not transparent in translation. There is no evidence this toponym referred to inhabitants, religious practice, or ethnic identity; it is strictly a geographical designation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as צְפַת; Tsephathah, a place in Palestine; Zephathah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צפה (ts-p-h) — to look out, observe, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6859-01 |
צְפַ֖תָה | tsefatah | HNp |
of Zephathah | Lookout-place | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6859-01 |
2 Chronicles 14:9 | צְפַ֖תָה | tsefatah | HNp |
of Zephathah | Lookout-place |