Ziph standard
e earlier history of David: "David .... remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph" (1Sa 23:14,15,24; 26:2); the Ziphites (1Sa 23:19; 26:1; compare Ps 54 title) sought to betray him to Saul, but David escaped…
Where is Ziph in the Bible?
Ziph was a town located in the hill country of Judah, in ancient Israel. It is best known as the wilderness region where King David hid from King Saul while fleeing persecution, as recorded in 1 Samuel 23 and 26. The inhabitants of Ziph, called the Ziphites, attempted to betray David's location to Saul, but David managed to escape each time. Later, the town was fortified by King Rehoboam during the divided monarchy period. Ziph's mention in biblical texts alongside administrative seals suggests it was an important administrative center in Judah's kingdom.
In Scripture2 biblical books; 2 with study content
- Joshua
- Psalms
Ziph (1)
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)e earlier history of David: "David .... remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph" (1Sa 23:14,15,24; 26:2); the Ziphites (1Sa 23:19; 26:1; compare Ps 54 title) sought to betray him to Saul, but David escaped. Ziph was fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch 11:8). The name also occurs in 1Ch 2:42; 4:16. In connection with this last (compare 4:23) it is noticeable that Ziph is one of the four names occurring on the Hebrew stamped jar handles with the added la-melekh, "to the king."
The site is Tell Zif, 4 miles Southeast of Hebron, conspicuous hill 2,882 ft. above sea-level; there are cisterns and, to the East, some ruins (PEF, III, 312, 315).
(2) A town in the Negeb of Judah (Jos 15:24), site unknown.
E. W. G. Masterman
(1) A grandson of Caleb (1Ch 2:42); the Septuagint has Zeiph.
(2) A son of Jehallelel (1Ch 4:16). In the