Who was Ziphion in the Bible?

Ziphion, also called Zephon, was one of the seven sons of Gad, who was a son of Jacob. He is listed as the founder and ancestor of the Zephonite clan within the tribe of Gad (Genesis 46:16; Numbers 26:15).

What is the significance of Ziphion?

Ziphion's significance lies in his role as a clan founder, which helped establish the tribal structure of Israel. His descendants, the Zephonites, were counted in the census of the Israelites during their time in the wilderness (Numbers 26:15).

Are there any stories about Ziphion in the Bible?

No, there are no detailed stories or key events recorded about Ziphion's personal life. The Bible only mentions his name in genealogical lists and tribal censuses, establishing his lineage and the existence of his clan.

Ziphion

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon

Ziphion (or Zephon), a son of Gad, was the ancestor of the Zephonite clan (Gen.46.16; Num.26.15,15).

Ziphion

Biography

Ziphion, also rendered Zephon in Numbers 26:15, was the firstborn son of Gad and a grandson of Jacob (Genesis 46:16). He descended with the household of Jacob into Egypt during the famine that brought the family of Israel to settle in Goshen under the protection of Joseph. Ziphion became the ancestor of the Zephonite clan, one of the seven family divisions within the tribe of Gad enumerated in the census of Numbers 26:15. The variant spellings of his name, Ziphion in Genesis and Zephon in Numbers, reflect either textual transmission differences or a name form that evolved over time. His presence in the Genesis 46 record of those who came to Egypt places him at the foundational moment of Israel's sojourn in Egypt, the period that would culminate in the Exodus.

Significance

Ziphion's significance lies primarily in his position as a tribal progenitor within the lineage of Gad. As founder of the Zephonite clan, he stands at the origin of one of the constituent family groups that would eventually receive an allotment of land east of the Jordan River (Numbers 32). His descent into Egypt with Jacob's household anchors him in the narrative of God's providential care: the same God who had promised land and posterity to Abraham guided the entire extended family into Egypt for preservation during famine, setting the stage for the Exodus that would define Israel as a nation. Ziphion's quiet descent into Egypt was thus a step in the long journey toward the fulfillment of the covenant promises.

Verse Appearances (2)

Genesis

Genesis 46:16

Numbers

Numbers 26:15

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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