Tophel (Hastings' Dictionary)
A place named in de- fining the situation of Dt 1'. It h.os been fre- quently identified (since Robinson, BliF' ii. 167, 187, following a suggestion of Hengsteiibirg) with et-'J'nfile in Gebal, about lo miles S.S. E. of the Detid Sea, but phonetic, apart from other, reasons make this identification very uncertain (see Driver or Dillm. ad loc).
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Tophel
Tophel to'-fel (tophel; Tophol): This name is found in a passage with many difficulties (De 1:1). The verse ostensibly makes clearer the position occupied by the camp of Israel where Moses addressed the people, by reference to certain other places which might be presumed to be better known. Not one of them, however, has been satisfactorily identified. Some think Tophel may be represented by the modern et-tafeleh, 15 miles Southeast of the Dead Sea, on the caravan road from Petra to Kerak. Apart from the question of position, the change of "t" to "T" is not easily explained. Meantime we must suspend judgment. ⇒See a list of verses on TOPHEL in the Bible. W. Ewing ⇒See the definition of top in the KJV Dictionary ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Tophel
(mortar), (1:1) has been identified with Tufileh on a wady of the same name running north of Bozra toward the southeast corner of the Dead Sea.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Tophel
Tufileh, (Robinson, Bibl. Res. ii. 570), S.E. of the Dead Sea. Ninety-nine springs and rivulets flowing into the Ghor water the neighbourhood. It is surrounded by apple, apricot, fig, pomegranate, and olive trees. It is naturally chosen as a landmark (Deu 1:1).
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia