Berean Strong's Lexicon ophel: Mound, Hill, Fortified Place Original Word: עֹפֶל Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to swell or be elevated. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent in the Strong's Concordance, the concept of a fortified place or elevated area can be related to Greek terms like "ἀκρόπολις" (akropolis), meaning a high city or citadel. Usage: The Hebrew word "ophel" generally refers to a raised area or mound, often used in the context of a fortified hill or a part of a city that is elevated and fortified. It can denote a natural hill or an artificial mound created for defensive purposes. In biblical texts, "ophel" is often associated with the fortifications of Jerusalem, indicating a place of strength and protection. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cities, elevated areas were strategically important for defense. The "ophel" in Jerusalem, for example, was a significant part of the city's fortifications. It was often the site of important buildings and served as a defensive stronghold. The concept of a fortified hill or mound was common in ancient city planning, providing a vantage point and a last line of defense against invaders. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עֹ֫פֶל noun [masculine] mound, hill, only as acropolis; — ׳ע absolute 2 Kings 5:24 +, construct Micah 4:8; — fortified mound or hill within city, or Jerusalem (compare RobBR i. 267 GuZPV v (1882), 326) Micah 4:8; Isaiah 32:14; south end of eastern hill Nehemiah 3:26; Nehemiah 11:21; 2Chronicles 33:14 ׳חוֺמַת הָע Nehemiah 3:27; 2Chronicles 27:3 (compare חמת העפל in קרחה MI21, 22); of Samaria 2 Kings 5:24. II. [עֹ֫פֶל] noun masculine1Samuel 6:4 tumour; — only plural Kt (בָּ)עֳפָלִים Deuteronomy 28:27; 1 Samuel 5:6,9,12; construct עָפְלֵי 1 Samuel 6:4; suffix עָפְלֵיכֶם 1 Samuel 6:5; Qr in all (ב)טְחֹרִים, טְחֹרֵי, טְחֹרֵיכֶם, see [ טְחוֺר]. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance emerod, fort, strong hold, tower From aphal; a tumor; also a mound, i.e. Fortress -- emerod, fort, strong hold, tower. see HEBREW aphal Forms and Transliterations בַּטְּחֹרִ֑ים בַּטְּחֹרִ֔ים בטחרים הָעֹ֔פֶל העפל וּבַטְּחֹרִ֔ים ובטחרים טְחֹרִֽים׃ טְחֹרֵ֣י טְחֹרֵיכֶ֜ם טחרי טחריכם טחרים׃ עֹ֛פֶל עֹ֣פֶל עפל ‘ō·p̄el ‘ōp̄el baṭ·ṭə·ḥō·rîm battechoRim baṭṭəḥōrîm hā‘ōp̄el hā·‘ō·p̄el haOfel Ofel ṭə·ḥō·rê ṭə·ḥō·rê·ḵem ṭə·ḥō·rîm techoRei techoreiChem techoRim ṭəḥōrê ṭəḥōrêḵem ṭəḥōrîm ū·ḇaṭ·ṭə·ḥō·rîm ūḇaṭṭəḥōrîm uvattechoRimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 28:27 HEB: [וּבָעֳפָלִים כ] (וּבַטְּחֹרִ֔ים ק) וּבַגָּרָ֖ב NAS: of Egypt and with tumors and with the scab INT: the boils of Egypt stronghold the scab the itch 1 Samuel 5:6 1 Samuel 5:9 1 Samuel 5:12 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:5 2 Kings 5:24 Isaiah 32:14 Micah 4:8 9 Occurrences |