רָמַת הַמִּצְפֶּה
𐤓𐤌𐤕 𐤄𐤌𐤑𐤐𐤄
Ramat Hamitsepeh
H7434 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A toponym meaning 'Height of the Watchtower,' referring to a specific elevated location associated with lookout or surveillance in the context of ancient Israelite settlement or military geography. The term combines 'ramah' (height, high place) and 'ham-mitzpeh' (the watchtower/lookout), unified by the definite article. In biblical narrative, it designates a specific city assigned to the tribe of Gad in the Transjordan region (Joshua 13:26), likely marking it as a strategically significant high ground.
Semantic Range
height of the watchtower, high place of observation, fortified lookout, place named for its elevated position suitable for surveillance or defense
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew roots רָמָה (ramah, 'height, high place') and מִצְפֶּה (mitzpeh, 'watchtower, lookout'), with the prefixed definite article ה (ha-) attached to the second element. The name is a compound toponym, common in biblical site names.
Historical & Contextual Notes
'Ramath-ham-Mitzpeh' designates a single location mentioned in the allocation of territory to the tribe of Gad (Joshua 13:26), emphasizing topography (a prominent elevation) and function (surveillance or defense). Such naming conventions are typical in the Hebrew Bible, especially for sites of military or administrative importance. The suffix 'ham-Mitzpeh' is paralleled in other place names (e.g., Mizpah, Ramah), reflecting recurring strategic concerns in ancient Israelite settlement patterns. English translations variably render the toponym as 'Ramath-mizpeh' or gloss it as 'height of the watchtower,' but do not fully convey its function as a named site. It should not be confused with 'Mizpah' alone or with other 'Ramah' localities. By the post-exilic and Hellenistic periods, the precise identification of this site is uncertain, and the name does not appear outside the biblical context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָמָה and מִצְפֶּה with the article interpolated; height of the watch-tower; Ramath-ham-Mitspeh, a place in Palestine; Ramath-mizpeh.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רמה, צפה (r-m-h, ṣ-p-h) — to be high, to rise; to watch, to lookout
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7436 | רָמָתַיִם צוֹפִים | Two Heights of the Watchers |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7434-02 |
רָמַ֥ת | ramat | HNp |
Ramath | Height of the Watchtower | 1 |
H7434-01 |
הַ/מִּצְפֶּ֖ה | hamitsepeh | HTd/Np |
mizpeh | Height of the Watchtower | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7434-02 |
Joshua 13:26 | רָמַ֥ת | ramat | HNp |
Ramath | Height of the Watchtower |
H7434-01 |
Joshua 13:26 | הַ/מִּצְפֶּ֖ה | hamitsepeh | HTd/Np |
mizpeh | Height of the Watchtower |