Sepharad is a location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Obadiah. The reference to Sepharad is found in Obadiah 1:20, which states: "And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad, will possess the cities of the Negev."

Biblical Context

The book of Obadiah is a prophetic text, primarily addressing the judgment of Edom, a nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. The prophecy foretells the restoration of Israel and the return of its exiles. Sepharad is mentioned in the context of the Jewish diaspora, indicating a place where some of the exiles from Jerusalem were located.

Historical and Geographical Considerations

The exact identification of Sepharad has been a subject of debate among scholars and historians. Various theories have been proposed regarding its location:

1. Asia Minor (Modern-day Turkey): Some scholars suggest that Sepharad could be a region in Asia Minor, possibly Sardis, due to phonetic similarities and historical connections with Jewish settlements in the area.

2. Spain: In Jewish tradition, Sepharad has been associated with the Iberian Peninsula, particularly Spain. This association is reflected in the term "Sephardic Jews," which refers to Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent. This identification, however, is more traditional and cultural than historical, as there is no direct biblical or archaeological evidence linking Sepharad to Spain.

3. Mesopotamia: Another theory posits that Sepharad could be located in Mesopotamia, possibly near the city of Sippar. This is based on linguistic similarities and the presence of Jewish communities in the region during the Babylonian exile.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The mention of Sepharad in Obadiah highlights the widespread dispersion of the Jewish people following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. The prophecy of their return signifies hope and restoration, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. The identification of Sepharad with Spain in later Jewish tradition underscores the enduring connection between the Jewish people and their historical experiences of exile and return.

Sephardic Jews

The term "Sephardic" has come to denote Jews who trace their ancestry to the Iberian Peninsula. Following the expulsion from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1497, Sephardic Jews settled in various parts of the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East. They developed distinct cultural and liturgical traditions, contributing richly to the broader tapestry of Jewish life and history.

Conclusion

While the precise location of Sepharad remains uncertain, its mention in the book of Obadiah serves as a testament to the far-reaching impact of the Jewish diaspora. The enduring legacy of Sepharad is reflected in the cultural and religious identity of Sephardic Jews, who continue to honor their historical roots while contributing to the global Jewish community.Sepharad

a book descending

Sepharad

(separated), a name which occurs in (Obadiah 1:20) only. Its situation has always been a matter of uncertainty.

Sepharad

A place in Asia Minor near the Bosphorus, to which Jewish captives were conveyed, Obadiah 1:20.

(Obadiah 1:20), some locality unknown. The modern Jews think that Spain is meant, and hence they designate the Spanish Jews "Sephardim," as they do the German Jews by the name "Ashkenazim," because the rabbis call Germany Ashkenaz. Others identify it with Sardis, the capital of Lydia. The Latin father Jerome regarded it as an Assyrian word, meaning "boundary," and interpreted the sentence, "which is in Sepharad," by "who are scattered abroad in all the boundaries and regions of the earth." Perowne says: "Whatever uncertainty attaches to the word Sepharad, the drift of the prophecy is clear, viz., that not only the exiles from Babylon, but Jewish captives from other and distant regions, shall be brought back to live prosperously within the enlarged borders of their own land." SEPHARAD

se-fa'-rad, sef'-a-rad (cepharadh): Mentioned in Obadiah 1:20 as the place of captivity of certain "captives of Jerusalem," but no clear indication is given of locality. Many conjectures have been made. The Targum of Jonathan identifies with Spain; hence, the Spanish Jews are called Sephardim. Others (Pusey, etc.) have connected it with the "Tsparda" of the Behistun Inscription, and some have even identified it with "Sardis." The now generally accepted view is that which connects it with the "Saparda" of the Assyrian inscriptions, though whether this is to be located to the East of Assyria or in Northern Asia Minor is not clear. See Schrader, Cuneiform Inscriptions, II, 145-46; Sayce, HCM, 482-84; articles in DB, HDB, EB, etc.

James Orr

5614. Sephared -- the location of some exiles
... 5613c, 5614. Sephared. 5615 . the location of some exiles. Transliteration:
Sephared Phonetic Spelling: (sef-aw-rawd') Short Definition: Sepharad. ... Sepharad. ...
/hebrew/5614.htm - 6k

The Prophecy of Obadiah.
... of this host of the children of Israel (shall possess) what are Canaanites unto
Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem that are in Sepharad shall possess the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophecy of obadiah.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto
Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem which is in Sepharad shall possess the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... of the Minni to the east of Ararat, they swooped down upon the Assyrian frontier,
along with other northern nations from Media, Sepharad, and Ashchenaz. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... The people of Saparda, called by the Persians Sparda, have been with good reason
identified with the Sepharad of the prophet Obadiah (ver.20): the ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Sepharad (1 Occurrence)
... The Latin father Jerome regarded it as an Assyrian word, meaning "boundary," and
interpreted the sentence, "which is in Sepharad," by "who are scattered abroad ...
/s/sepharad.htm - 8k

Sephar'ad (1 Occurrence)
Sephar'ad. Sepharad, Sephar'ad. Sepharvaim . Multi-Version Concordance
Sephar'ad (1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Sepharad, Sephar'ad. Sepharvaim . Reference ...
/s/sephar'ad.htm - 6k

Sephar (1 Occurrence)

/s/sephar.htm - 7k

Zarephat (1 Occurrence)
... army of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even
to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess ...
/z/zarephat.htm - 6k

Zar'ephath (4 Occurrences)
... removed of this force of the sons of Israel, That 'is with' the Canaanites unto
Zarephat, And the removed of Jerusalem that 'is' with the Sepharad, Possess the ...
/z/zar'ephath.htm - 7k

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)
... army of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even
to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess ...
/z/zarephath.htm - 11k

Halah (4 Occurrences)
... of this host of the children of Israel, that are among the Canaanites, even unto
Zarephath, and the captivity of Jerusalem, that is in Sepharad, shall possess ...
/h/halah.htm - 10k

Exiles (46 Occurrences)
... army of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even
to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess ...
/e/exiles.htm - 20k

Obadiah (21 Occurrences)
... Edom are quite intelligible. As to Sepharad (Obadiah 1:20) there is
considerable difference of opinion. Schrader and some others ...
/o/obadiah.htm - 32k

Negeb (37 Occurrences)
... army of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even
to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess ...
/n/negeb.htm - 26k

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