Etymology and Meaning
The name "Zephon" is derived from the Hebrew root "צָפוֹן" (tsaphon), which can mean "hidden" or "north." The name may imply a sense of being concealed or protected, or it could be associated with the direction north, which in ancient Near Eastern thought was often linked with mystery or divine presence.

Biblical References
Zephon is mentioned in the genealogical records of the Book of Genesis and the Book of Numbers. He is identified as a descendant of Jacob, specifically through the line of Gad, one of the twelve sons of Jacob.

1. Genesis 46:16 : "The sons of Gad: Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli."
In this passage, Zephon is listed as one of the sons of Gad, who was the seventh son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. This genealogy is part of the larger narrative detailing the descendants of Jacob who went down to Egypt during the time of Joseph.

2. Numbers 26:15 : "These were the descendants of Gad by their clans: The Zephonite clan from Zephon, the Haggite clan from Haggi, the Shunite clan from Shuni,"
Here, Zephon is again mentioned in the context of a census taken of the Israelites in the wilderness. The passage highlights the establishment of the Zephonite clan, indicating that Zephon's lineage had grown into a distinct family group within the tribe of Gad.

Tribal Significance
As a member of the tribe of Gad, Zephon's descendants would have been part of the tribal allotment on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The tribe of Gad was known for its warrior-like qualities and played a significant role in the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. The mention of Zephon and his descendants underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the multiplication of his descendants and their inheritance of the land.

Cultural and Historical Context
The genealogical records in which Zephon appears serve several purposes in the biblical narrative. They establish the continuity of God's covenant with the patriarchs, demonstrate the fulfillment of divine promises, and provide a framework for understanding the social and tribal organization of ancient Israel. The inclusion of Zephon in these records reflects the importance of family lineage and tribal identity in the Israelite community.

Theological Implications
From a theological perspective, the mention of Zephon and his descendants can be seen as part of the broader narrative of God's faithfulness to His people. Each name in the genealogies represents a link in the chain of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the coming of the Messiah. The preservation of these records in Scripture highlights the value placed on each individual and family within the covenant community.

Conclusion
While Zephon himself is not a prominent figure in biblical narratives, his inclusion in the genealogies of Genesis and Numbers underscores the importance of every member of the Israelite tribes in the unfolding account of God's people. His descendants, the Zephonites, contributed to the rich tapestry of Israel's history and heritage.Zephon

(watch), the son of Gad, (Numbers 26:15) and ancestor of the family of the Zephonites. Called ZIPHION In (Genesis 46:16) (B.C. 1706.)

ZEPHON

ze'-fon.

See ZIPHION.

6831. Tsephoni -- descendant of Zephon
... descendant of Zephon. Transliteration: Tsephoni Phonetic Spelling: (tsef-o-nee')
Short Definition: Zephonites. ... of Zephon NASB Word Usage Zephonites (1). ...
/hebrew/6831.htm - 6k

1189. Baal Tsephon -- "Baal of winter," a place in Egypt
... "Baal of winter," a place in Egypt. Transliteration: Baal Tsephon Phonetic Spelling:
(bah'-al tsef-one') Short Definition: Baal-zephon. ... Baal-zephon. ...
/hebrew/1189.htm - 6k

6827. Tsephon -- perhaps "gaze," a son of Gad
... 6826, 6827. Tsephon. 6828 . perhaps "gaze," a son of Gad. Transliteration:
Tsephon Phonetic Spelling: (tsef-one') Short Definition: Zephon. ... Zephon. ...
/hebrew/6827.htm - 6k

The Way to the Sea
... for the night. It was twenty-five miles from that point to Baal-Zephon
or the hill before which Israel had camped. The fugitives ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliv the way to.htm

List of Characters and Places
... Baal-Zephon,"Bay'-al-Zee'-phon, a hill at the northern end of the Red Sea.
Bast,"Bahst, the cat-headed goddess, patron deity of Bubastis. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/list of characters and places.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The inscription appears to give the name of a goddess, Agana- Zaphon, the
second part of which recalls the name of Baal- Zephon. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Chapter xlvi
... A few variant forms occur here too. "Ziphion" is listed in Numbers as "Zephon."
"Ezbon" becomes "Ozni," and "Arodi" appears as "Arod.". 19-22. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Zephon (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZEPHON. ze'-fon. See ZIPHION. Multi-Version
Concordance Zephon (5 Occurrences). Genesis 46:16 ...
/z/zephon.htm - 8k

Baal-zephon (3 Occurrences)
Baal-zephon. Baalzephon, Baal-zephon. Ba'al-ze'phon . Easton's Bible
Dictionary Baal ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAAL-ZEPHON. ba ...
/b/baal-zephon.htm - 8k

Pihahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... placed a watchtower. Pi-Hahiroth is between this point and the Sea and
Baal-zephon near the opposite eastern shore. This puts Pi ...
/p/pihahiroth.htm - 10k

Pi-hahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... placed a watchtower. Pi-Hahiroth is between this point and the Sea and
Baal-zephon near the opposite eastern shore. This puts Pi ...
/p/pi-hahiroth.htm - 10k

Ba'al-ze'phon (3 Occurrences)
Ba'al-ze'phon. Baal-zephon, Ba'al-ze'phon. Baana . Multi-Version Concordance
Ba'al-ze'phon (3 Occurrences). Exodus 14:2 "Speak to ...
/b/ba'al-ze'phon.htm - 7k

Pi (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before
Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. ...
/p/pi.htm - 7k

Migdol (6 Occurrences)
... from Etham after they had "turned" (apparently to the South), is defined as `facing
Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon.' It is ...
/m/migdol.htm - 12k

Hahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before
Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. ...
/h/hahiroth.htm - 7k

Baalzephon (3 Occurrences)
... the Gulf of Suez. Baal-zapuna of the Egyptians was a place of worship. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAAL-ZEPHON. ba-al-ze'-fon ...
/b/baalzephon.htm - 8k

Zephonite (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 26:15 The sons of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the
Zephonites; of Haggi, the family of the Haggites; of Shuni, the family of the ...
/z/zephonite.htm - 6k

Who was Gad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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