Atomic Bible

A city in Gad and a term for the north

Zaphon

Named in 4 verses across 4 books, first in Joshua 13:27.

צָפוֹןZaphon

About Zaphon Written by AI

Zaphon has two distinct meanings in the Bible. First, it is the name of a city allotted to the tribe of Gad in the division of the Promised Land (Josh. 13:27). This city was located in the Jordan Valley, near the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee). Second, Zaphon is used as a term for the north or the heavenly dwelling place of God. In Psalm 48:2, Mount Zion is described as being "in the far north," using the term "Zaphon" to emphasize its sacred status. In Isaiah 14:13, the king of Babylon is portrayed as aspiring to ascend to heaven and sit on the mount of assembly "in the far reaches of the north" (Zaphon), symbolizing his desire to usurp God's authority. The term "Zaphon" is also mentioned in Judges 12:1, where the Ephraimites gathered in Zaphon before confronting Jephthah. The dual usage of Zaphon in the Bible highlights the interplay between physical locations and spiritual symbolism in the biblical narrative.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

32.238, 35.586 See it on a map

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names it

  1. Joshua 13:27

    and in the valley, Beth-haram, Beth-nimrah, Succoth, and Zaphon, with the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon (the territory on the east side of the Jordan up to the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth).

  2. Judges 12:1

    Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside!”

  3. Psalm 48:2

    Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.

  4. Isaiah 14:13

    You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.