Lexical Summary Tsiphyon: Ziphion Original Word: צִפְיוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ziphion From tsaphah; watch-tower; Tsiphjon, an Israelite -- Ziphion. Compare Tsphown. see HEBREW tsaphah see HEBREW Tsphown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsaphah Definition perhaps "gazing," a son of Gad, the same as NH6827 NASB Translation Ziphion (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs צִפְיוֺן proper name, masculine Σαφων: son of Gad(? gaze); — Genesis 46:16, = צְפוֺן Numbers 26:15 (see ׳בַּעַל צ). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence and Context Genesis 46:16 records the arrival of Jacob’s household in Egypt: “The sons of Gad: Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.”. Tsiphion—rendered “Zephon”—is thus counted among the seventy persons who migrated to Goshen, becoming a forefather within the tribe of Gad. Genealogical Significance within the Tribe of Gad First in the list of Gad’s seven sons, Tsiphion stands as clan-father of the Zephonites. Though later census lists spell the name differently, the clan of Zephon in Numbers 26:15 is generally traced back to the same ancestor. Through this clan, God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s seed continued; fighters descended from Tsiphion contributed to Gad’s total of 40,500 men of war on the plains of Moab (Numbers 26:18). Historical Setting Born during the patriarchal era, Tsiphion bridges two worlds: the pastoral life of Canaan and the crucible of Egypt. His inclusion signals that all of Gad’s offspring shared Joseph’s provision and Pharaoh’s protection and later the sufferings that forged Israel into a nation. Tsiphion therefore represents continuity from tent-dwelling patriarchs to brick-making slaves, ultimately to a covenant people redeemed at Sinai. Role in Israel’s Wilderness March and Settlement Under Gad’s standard on the south side of Israel’s camp (Numbers 2:15), Zephon’s descendants marched toward the land. After victories east of the Jordan, the Gadite clans—including the Zephonites—requested pastureland in Gilead (Numbers 32:1-5). Receiving territory from Heshbon to Ramoth, they became noted warriors, “valiant men, ready for battle, fit for war” (1 Chronicles 5:18). Thus Tsiphion’s line helped secure Israel’s frontiers and provided a buffer against eastern raiders. Spiritual and Theological Insights 1. Covenant Precision. The divine record preserves even little-known names, affirming that every family is remembered by God (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). Lessons for Ministry Today • Esteem the Unseen. Unsung believers may father spiritual legacies whose impact only eternity will reveal. Summary Mentioned but once, Tsiphion’s name anchors a lineage that helped form Israel’s military strength and occupy strategic land east of the Jordan. His account affirms God’s meticulous care for every branch in the covenant family and His power to turn obscure beginnings into enduring legacy. Forms and Transliterations צִפְי֥וֹן צפיון ṣip̄·yō·wn ṣip̄yōwn tzifYonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 46:16 HEB: וּבְנֵ֣י גָ֔ד צִפְי֥וֹן וְחַגִּ֖י שׁוּנִ֣י NAS: of Gad: Ziphion and Haggi, KJV: of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, INT: the sons of Gad Ziphion and Haggi Shuni 1 Occurrence |
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