6839. Tsophim

Lexical Summary

Tsophim: Tsophim

Original Word: צֹפִים
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Tsophiym
Pronunciation: tso-feem'
Phonetic Spelling: (tso-feem')
KJV: Zophim
NASB: Zophim
Word Origin: [plural of active participle of H6822 (צָּפָה - watchman)]

1. watchers
2. Tsophim, a place East of the Jordan

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Zophim

Plural of active participle of tsaphah; watchers; Tsophim, a place East of the Jordan -- Zophim.

see HEBREW tsaphah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from tsaphah
Definition
"watchers," a field on the summit of Mount Pisgah
NASB Translation
Zophim (1).

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrence

Numbers 23:14 – Balak leads Balaam “to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah”.

Historical-Geographical Setting

• Eastern side of the Jordan, high on the Pisgah ridge within Moab, opposite Jericho.
• Commanding elevation gave unobstructed sight of Israel’s encampment, fitting the site’s traditional association with watchmen.
• Probably on or near modern Jebel Siaghah, the same escarpment from which Moses later surveyed Canaan (Deuteronomy 34:1).

Role in the Balaam Narrative

Balak assumed that a new vantage point plus lavish sacrifice might sway Balaam to curse Israel. Seven altars were erected, each receiving a bull and a ram. Yet when Balaam opened his mouth, the Lord again compelled blessing. From this lookout came the oracle that Israel “rises like a lioness… none can curse what God has blessed” (Numbers 23:24). Tsophim thus exposes the futility of manipulating God and underscores His unilateral faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant.

Key Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty – Geography, ritual, and hostile intent are powerless against God’s decree (Numbers 23:19–20; Genesis 12:3).
2. True Vision – Only revelation grants genuine perspective; a lofty perch without God’s word is blind (Habakkuk 2:1; 2 Peter 1:21).
3. Blessing Amid Hostility – While Israel sleeps in the valley, God thwarts curses from the heights, prefiguring Romans 8:31.

Echoes in Later Scripture

• Moses’ final ascent of Pisgah transforms the ridge from a place of attempted cursing to one of covenant fulfillment (Deuteronomy 34:4).
• Prophetic imagery of watch-towers (Isaiah 21:6; Ezekiel 33:7) invites believers to vigilant prayer rather than worldly stratagems.
• Jesus, the ultimate Watchman, blesses from another height—Calvary—turning intended shame into salvation (Luke 23:34; Galatians 3:13-14).

Ministry Applications

• Intercession over Manipulation – Spiritual battles are won by seeking God’s voice, not by altering circumstances to force outcomes (Ephesians 6:18).
• Confidence in Irreversible Blessing – As no spell could stick to Israel at Tsophim, so no accusation holds against those in Christ (Romans 8:1; Isaiah 54:17).
• Pursuit of God’s Perspective – Leaders must “ascend” regularly through Scripture and prayer to discern the Lord’s vantage before acting (Colossians 3:2).

Summary

Tsophim, though mentioned only once, vividly illustrates God’s overruling grace. From a summit chosen for cursing, He broadcast blessing; from a field of human scheming, He showcased covenant certainty. The site calls every generation to trust His sovereignty, seek His revelation, and rest in the protection that no adversary can overturn.

Forms and Transliterations

צֹפִ֔ים צפים ṣō·p̄îm ṣōp̄îm tzoFim

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 23:14
HEB: וַיִּקָּחֵ֙הוּ֙ שְׂדֵ֣ה צֹפִ֔ים אֶל־ רֹ֖אשׁ
NAS: him to the field of Zophim, to the top
KJV: him into the field of Zophim, to the top
INT: took to the field of Zophim to the top

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 6839
1 Occurrence

ṣō·p̄îm — 1 Occ.