זִיפִי
a Ziphite or inhabitant of Ziph
Definition
Zîyphîy refers to an inhabitant or native of Ziph, a town in the hill country of Judah. The term is a gentilic noun, meaning it identifies a person by their geographic origin. In the biblical narrative, Ziphites are specifically mentioned as residents who twice betrayed David's location to King Saul during his period of wilderness exile (1 Samuel 23:19, 26:1). The word carries no other distinct meanings beyond this ethnic or residential designation.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the historical narrative of 1 Samuel, occurring only twice. In both instances, the 'Ziphites' are the group of people from the town of Ziph who go to King Saul to inform him of David's hiding place in their territory. The usage consistently portrays them as loyalists to Saul and betrayers of David, highlighting a key conflict in David's rise to kingship.
Etymology
Zîyphîy is a patrial noun derived directly from the place name Ziph (H2128, זִיף). The formation follows a standard Hebrew pattern for creating gentilics (e.g., 'Mitsrîy' from 'Mitsrayim' for an Egyptian). The root meaning of the place name Ziph is uncertain but may be related to a word for 'flowing' or 'refining'.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a simple identifier, the actions of the Ziphites are theologically significant. Their betrayal places David in mortal danger, forcing him to rely completely on God's protection and fulfilling God's purpose to establish David as king despite opposition. This narrative illustrates themes of divine providence, the testing of God's anointed, and the contrast between human betrayal and God's faithful deliverance.
In the tribal culture of ancient Israel, one's identity was deeply tied to their town or region of origin. The actions of the Ziphites reflect local politics and allegiances during the unstable transition from Saul's to David's monarchy. Their decision to report to Saul, their regional king, was likely seen as an act of civic duty, though the biblical narrative frames it as a betrayal of God's chosen future king.
Yehudiy (H3064) — A broader term for a person from the tribe or territory of Judah, whereas Zîyphîy specifies a town within Judah.
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.
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