Lexical Summary Mitspeh: Mizpah, Watchtower Original Word: מִצְפֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mizpeh, watch tower The same as mitspeh; Mitspeh, the name of five places in Palestine -- Mizpeh, watch tower. Compare Mitspah. see HEBREW mitspeh see HEBREW Mitspah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsaphah Definition the name of several places in Isr. NASB Translation Mizpah (4), Mizpeh (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מִצְמֶּה proper name, of a location1. ׳הַמּ in Shephelah of Judah Joshua 15:38, Μας(ς)ηφα. 2 מִצְמֵּהמֿוֺאָב 1 Samuel 22:3, Μασσηφα. 3 מִצְמֵּה גִלְעָד Judges 11:29 (twice in verse) (ἡ σκοπιά) probably = ׳רָמַת הַמּ Joshua 13:26 Μας(ση)φα and perhaps מִצְמָּה 2 — Joshua 11:8; Joshua 18:26 see מִצְמָּה 3,4. Topical Lexicon Geographic Overview “Mizpeh” appears ten times under Strong’s 4708 and designates several elevated sites whose common feature is strategic visibility: Strategic Significance of High Ground Each Mizpeh occupies a height or commands a valley. These natural watchtowers guarded trade corridors, served as rallying points in war, and provided neutral ground for covenant-making. Their geography embodies the biblical theme of vigilance: a place to stand, see, and respond. Mizpeh in the Conquest After the miraculous halt of the sun at Gibeon, Israel pressed north. “The LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and pursued them … to the Valley of Mizpeh to the east” (Joshua 11:8). The pursuit into a valley named for watching underscores divine oversight of Israel’s battles; the enemy could not escape the gaze of either the army on the heights or the God who sees all. Settlement Allotments In the allotment lists (Joshua 15:38; 18:26) Mizpeh anchors the territorial borders of Judah and Benjamin. Its inclusion authenticated the tribal grants, reminding later readers that the Land was measured beneath God’s watchful eye. Mizpeh of Gilead: Vow and Victory “The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah … and he passed through Mizpeh of Gilead” (Judges 11:29). From this lookout the judge advanced, secured victory over Ammon, and tragically vowed concerning his daughter. The episode reveals how spiritual zeal mixed with cultural rashness can mar an otherwise God-given deliverance, calling believers to combine faith with Scriptural discernment. A Refuge in David’s Exile Fleeing Saul, David entrusted his parents to “the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time David was in the stronghold” (1 Samuel 22:3). Mizpeh of Moab thus became a sanctuary for the aged, foreshadowing the Messiah who would later find refuge for His own in Gentile regions (Matthew 15:21–28). Administrative Center after the Fall of Jerusalem With Jerusalem in ruins, the Babylonian governor Gedaliah established his headquarters at Mizpeh of Benjamin (Jeremiah 40:6). The remnant “returned from all the places to which they had been banished … and gathered an abundance of wine and summer fruit” (Jeremiah 40:12). Yet assassins struck Gedaliah there, triggering further flight to Egypt (Jeremiah 40:13–41:18). Mizpeh therefore became the stage for both hope and heartbreak, illustrating how human rebellion frustrates divine mercy—yet God’s purposes continue. Theological Themes 1. Watchfulness: The very name urges spiritual alertness (Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 5:8). Ministry Application • Leaders must combine zeal with Scripture lest vows made at spiritual heights bring sorrow in the valley. Forms and Transliterations הַמִּצְפָּ֑תָה הַמִּצְפָּֽתָה׃ המצפתה המצפתה׃ וְהַמִּצְפֶּ֖ה וְהַמִּצְפֶּ֥ה וּמִמִּצְפֵּ֣ה והמצפה וממצפה מִצְפֵּ֣ה מִצְפֶּ֖ה מצפה ham·miṣ·pā·ṯāh hammiṣpāṯāh hammitzPatah miṣ·peh miṣ·pêh miṣpeh miṣpêh mitzPeh ū·mim·miṣ·pêh umimitzPeh ūmimmiṣpêh vehammitzPeh wə·ham·miṣ·peh wəhammiṣpehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 11:8 HEB: וְעַד־ בִּקְעַ֥ת מִצְפֶּ֖ה מִזְרָ֑חָה וַיַּכֻּ֕ם NAS: and the valley of Mizpeh to the east; KJV: and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; INT: until and the valley of Mizpeh to the east struck Joshua 15:38 Joshua 18:26 Judges 11:29 Judges 11:29 1 Samuel 22:3 Jeremiah 40:6 Jeremiah 40:8 Jeremiah 40:12 Jeremiah 40:13 10 Occurrences |
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