Lexical Summary Tsephoni: Zephonites Original Word: צְפוֹנִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zephonites Patronymically from Tsphown; a Tsephonite, or (collectively) descendants of Tsephon -- Zephonites. see HEBREW Tsphown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Tsephon Definition desc. of Zephon NASB Translation Zephonites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. צְפוֺנִי adjective, of a people of צְפוֺן (see foregoing); with articleas substantive collective Numbers 26:15. — II.׳צ see צפן. Topical Lexicon Genealogical Setting Tsephoni designates the clan that descended from Zephon, firstborn son of Gad (compare Genesis 46:16, where the personal ancestor is named “Ziphion”). In the wilderness census conducted on the plains of Moab, the name identifies one of the seven recognized family groups within the tribe of Gad. Biblical Occurrence Numbers 26:15 records: “These were the descendants of Gad by their clans: The Zephonite clan from Zephon, the Haggite clan from Haggi, the Shunite clan from Shuni….” The verse situates the Zephonites in the second census, which totaled 40,500 fighting men from Gad (Numbers 26:18). Historical Context The census of Numbers 26 takes place nearly forty years after the exodus, when the first wilderness generation had died and the new generation stood poised to enter Canaan. The formal naming of the Zephonite clan affirmed its standing for land inheritance and military duty. Because Gad ultimately settled east of the Jordan (Numbers 32), the Zephonite allotment would have been located in that Transjordan region—an area later known for pastoral abundance and strategic trade routes. Role within the Tribe of Gad As firstborn clan, the Zephonites likely held influence in tribal affairs, including the request to occupy the grazing lands of Jazer and Gilead (Numbers 32:1–5). Although scripture does not single them out during the conquest, their inclusion in Gad’s total fighting force implies active participation in Moses’ and Joshua’s campaigns (Numbers 32:20–22; Joshua 4:12–13). Covenantal Implications The genealogical notice preserves God’s faithfulness to His covenant promise that every son of Israel would receive a place in the land (Genesis 17:8). By naming the Zephonites, the text underscores that no family was lost or forgotten in the wilderness; each still possessed an inheritance and a role in the unfolding redemptive plan. Ministry Significance 1. Assurance of Divine Memory: The Lord records even obscure clans, encouraging believers that He “knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). Lessons for Today • God values faithfulness across generations; obscure names recorded once in scripture still speak of enduring covenant inclusion. Forms and Transliterations הַצְּפוֹנִ֔י הצפוניLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:15 HEB: לִצְפ֗וֹן מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ הַצְּפוֹנִ֔י לְחַגִּ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת NAS: the family of the Zephonites; of Haggi, KJV: the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, INT: of Zephon the family of the Zephonites of Haggi the family 1 Occurrence |
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