Ziph (Hebrew: זיף, romanized: Zîp̄) was a town in the Judean Mountains (Joshua 15:55) south-east of Hebron. According to the biblical narrative in 1 Samuel 23, David hid himself from Saul here (1 Samuel 23:19; see also Psalm 54). Saul took his "chosen men of Israel" into the wilderness of Ziph in search of David.[1] The name of Zif is found about four miles south of Hebron, attached to a rounded hill of some 100 feet in height, which is called Tell Zif. Its name appears on a number of LMLK seals along with those of Hebron, Socoh and MMST.[2] It has been identified as the Palestinian village of Zif, Hebron.
Archaeology
editTell Ziph near Zif, Hebron has been identified as the site of ancient Ziph, with remains of a Byzantine era church.[3]
Scholars debate the interpretation of the word Z(Y)F on LMLK seals. It may be a reference to an economic center established at the site south-east of Hebron during the reign of King Hezekiah (circa 700 BC), or it may be a literal votive inscription meaning "battlement", "flowing", "mouthful", "pinnacle", or "supply".[4][better source needed]
See also
edit- Zif, the modern-day Palestinian village near Hebron
References
edit- ^ 1 Samuel 26:2
- ^ Naʼaman, Nadav (2005). Ancient Israel and Its Neighbors: Interaction and Counteraction. Eisenbrauns. pp. 164–165. ISBN 9781575061085. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ 14539 - ZIPH - Church. A Digital Corpus of Early Christian Churches and Monasteries in the Holy Land. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Retrieved 30 Jan 2025.
- ^ Grena (2004), pp. 51, 360–2.
- Grena, G.M. (2004). LMLK--A Mystery Belonging to the King. Vol. 1. Redondo Beach, California: 4000 Years of Writing History. ISBN 0-9748786-0-X.