Lexical Summary Ziphi: Ziphi Original Word: זִיפִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ziphim, Ziphite Patrial from Ziyph; a Ziphite or inhabitant of Ziph -- Ziphim, Ziphite. see HEBREW Ziyph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Ziph Definition inhab. of Ziph NASB Translation Ziphites (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [זִיפִי] adjective, of a people of זִיף 1. a; only masculine plural as proper name, of a people זִפִים 1 Samuel 23:19; 1 Samuel 26:1; זִיפִים Psalm 54:2 (title). Topical Lexicon Identity and Setting “Ziphi” refers to the people of the Judean town of Ziph, a settlement located in the hill country south-southeast of Hebron. Its elevated terrain, peppered with natural caves and dense thickets, made the region an ideal refuge for fugitives and a strategic vantage point for military movements. In David’s wilderness years, Ziph lay within the tribal allotment of Judah—David’s own tribe—underscoring the surprising nature of the local betrayal recorded in Scripture. Narrative Occurrences 1 Samuel 23:19 and 1 Samuel 26:1 recount two separate occasions when the Ziphites informed King Saul of David’s whereabouts. Their words are almost identical, revealing coordinated intent rather than a momentary lapse: Both reports drew Saul back into the Judean wilderness, intensifying the king’s pursuit and framing scenes that spotlight David’s restraint—he twice spared Saul’s life despite having ample opportunity to retaliate (1 Samuel 24; 1 Samuel 26). Psalmic Lens The superscription of Psalm 54 ties the Ziphites’ betrayal directly to David’s prayer: “When the Ziphites went and said, ‘Is not David hiding among us?’” (Psalm 54:1, title). The psalm provides inspired commentary on the emotional and spiritual stakes of those events. David appeals, “Save me, O God, by Your name,” grounding deliverance not in human alliances but in the revealed character of the Lord. The psalm climaxes with confidence that God “will repay my enemies for their evil” (Psalm 54:5). Thus, Psalm 54 transforms a historical act of treachery into timeless liturgy for believers facing unjust opposition. Historical and Moral Significance 1. Betrayal from Within Judah: That fellow Judahites would side with Saul against David exposes how political pressures can override tribal identity and covenant loyalty. Ministry Applications • Trust in God’s Name: Psalm 54 teaches worshipers to anchor hope in God’s immutable character rather than shifting human alliances. Legacy in Redemptive History Although the Ziphites appear only three times in the Old Testament, their actions catalyze episodes that refine Israel’s future king and enrich the Psalter’s theology of trust. Their legacy warns of the perils of siding with expediency over covenant truth, while simultaneously showcasing the Lord’s unfailing commitment to preserve His anointed and advance His redemptive purposes. Forms and Transliterations הַ֭זִּיפִים הַזִּפִים֙ הזיפים הזפים זִפִים֙ זפים haz·zi·p̄îm haz·zî·p̄îm hazziFim hazzip̄îm hazzîp̄îm zi·p̄îm ziFim zip̄îmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 23:19 HEB: וַיַּעֲל֤וּ זִפִים֙ אֶל־ שָׁא֔וּל NAS: Then Ziphites came up to Saul KJV: Then came up the Ziphites to Saul INT: came Ziphites to Saul 1 Samuel 26:1 Psalm 54:1 3 Occurrences |
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