דׇּפְקָה
Dophkah, a place in the Desert
Definition
Dophkah is a proper noun referring to a specific location in the wilderness where the Israelites camped during the Exodus. It is one of the named stops on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, as recorded in the itinerary of Numbers 33. The name itself, derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'to knock,' may describe the physical terrain or an event that occurred there, though the exact geographical identification remains uncertain. Its mention serves primarily to mark a stage in the Israelites' divinely guided wilderness wanderings.
Biblical Usage
The word Dophkah is used exclusively in the Old Testament book of Numbers, specifically in the travel log of Numbers 33:12-13. It appears only in the context of listing the sequential encampments of the Israelites after leaving Egypt. There is no narrative event attached to this location in the biblical text; its usage is purely geographical and administrative, documenting the route of the Exodus.
Etymology
Dophkah (דׇּפְקָה) is derived from the Hebrew root דָּפַק (dāphaq, H1849), which means 'to beat, knock, or drive.' As a place name, it is likely a nominal form meaning 'a knocking' or 'a place of knocking,' possibly referring to the sound of working metal or stone, or to the rugged, striking nature of the landscape. It follows a common pattern where Hebrew place names are derived from actions or descriptive features.
Semantic Range
While Dophkah itself is not the site of a major theological event, its inclusion in the detailed itinerary of Numbers 33 underscores the theme of God's faithful guidance and provision throughout the Israelites' journey. Each named stop, however obscure, testifies to the historical reality and orderly progression of the Exodus, affirming that the wilderness wanderings were under God's sovereign direction. Understanding these names enriches reading by highlighting the meticulous care with which God's journey with His people was recorded.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, naming a location often commemorated an event, described a physical feature, or noted available resources. A name like Dophkah ('knocking') might have been immediately descriptive to an ancient Israelite, possibly indicating a mining area where metal was hammered or a rocky pass. Its modern obscurity contrasts with its likely immediate recognizability to the original audience as a specific, known landmark on the wilderness route.
No direct synonyms as a proper place name. It is part of a series of wilderness encampments like Alush (H442) and Rephidim (H7508).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →