Lexical Summary Misrephoth Mayim: Misrephoth Maim Original Word: מִשְׂרְפוֹת מַיִם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Misrephoth-Majim, a place in PalestineFrom the plural of misraphah and mayim; burnings of water; Misrephoth-Majim, a place in Palestine -- Misrephoth-mayim. see HEBREW misraphah see HEBREW mayim NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom misraphah and mayim Definition "burning of water," a place in Isr. probably near Sidon NASB Translation Misrephoth-maim (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִשְׂרְפוֺת מַיִם proper name, of a location names with Sidon Joshua 11:8; Joshua 13:6 (apparently near coast); compare (dubious BuhlGeogr. 229) Mušêrfe, 14 miles south of Tyre, see Di and references, GuérinGal ii. 166 f.. — Μασερων, Μασρεφωθμαειμ, etc. I. שׂרק (Late Hebrew סָרַק, Aramaic Topical Lexicon Historical and Geographical Setting Mishrefoth Maim is generally identified with a site along the Phoenician coast north of Mount Carmel, in the vicinity of Sidon and the Valley of Lebanon. Ancient writers and modern archaeologists place it near thermal springs that empty into the Mediterranean Sea, a detail that explains the name’s tie to “burnings” or “hot” waters. Its coastal position made it an important waypoint on the north–south trade routes and a natural boundary marker between Canaanite city-states and the highlands of Galilee. Biblical Occurrences 1. Joshua 11:8 records that Joshua, after the LORD had routed the northern coalition at the waters of Merom, “pursued them as far as Great Sidon, Mishrefoth Maim, and the Valley of Mizpeh to the east. He struck them down until no survivors remained.” Strategic Importance in the Conquest The site marks the northern limit of Joshua’s victorious pursuit in the first account and the southwestern edge of the Phoenician domain in the second. Its mention in both conquest and inheritance passages indicates that the Israelites viewed it as a key landmark for securing the coastal corridor. By driving the fleeing armies that far north, Joshua prevented the Canaanite kings from regrouping in the fortified Phoenician cities. Yet decades later the same region remained outside day-to-day Israelite control, showing that the initial military victory still awaited full settlement by the tribes in obedience to God’s continuing promise. Theological Themes • Covenant Faithfulness: The movement of the battle line to Mishrefoth Maim illustrates the LORD’s promise in Exodus 23:31 to extend Israel’s borders to the sea and to the north. Implications for Ministry and Discipleship Mishrefoth Maim reminds modern believers that God often gives decisive victories that still require continued faithfulness to secure their full fruit. Like Israel, congregations celebrate breakthroughs yet must persist in prayer, discipleship, and witness to see the promise fully realized. The site also underscores the missionary horizon: the northern coastal peoples, though outside Israel’s initial settlement, were never outside God’s redemptive plan (seen ultimately in Jesus’ ministry in the region of Tyre and Sidon). Archaeological and Historical Notes Researchers correlate Mishrefoth Maim with the hot springs at present-day Afqa, Ras en-Naqura, or Sarepta, though no single identification is unanimous. Ceramic finds from the Late Bronze Age at these locations align with the biblical timeframe of Joshua’s northern campaign, providing external corroboration for the plausibility of the biblical narrative. Summary Mishrefoth Maim stands as a tangible marker of God’s power in battle, His promise of inherited land, and the ongoing task of faithful occupation. Its dual appearance in Joshua serves as both testimony of past deliverance and reminder of future obedience—a pattern still instructive for the church’s mission today. Forms and Transliterations מַ֔יִם מַ֙יִם֙ מים ma·yim mayimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 11:8 HEB: וְעַד֙ מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת מַ֔יִם וְעַד־ בִּקְעַ֥ת NAS: Sidon and Misrephoth-maim and the valley KJV: Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley INT: Great until and Misrephoth-maim until and the valley Joshua 13:6 2 Occurrences |
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, סְרַק, all comb, card; Arabic 
slit sheep's ear, pluck fruit).