Overview:
Shaphir is a town mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Micah. The name "Shaphir" means "beautiful" or "pleasant" in Hebrew, reflecting perhaps the town's appearance or the quality of life there. It is one of several towns addressed in a prophetic lament by the prophet Micah, who ministered during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Biblical Reference:
The primary reference to Shaphir is found in Micah 1:11. The prophet Micah, speaking under divine inspiration, addresses the town as part of a series of pronouncements against various cities in Judah. The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse as follows:

"Pass on your way, inhabitants of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitants of Zaanan will not come out. Beth Ezel is in mourning; its support is taken from you."

Context and Interpretation:
In Micah 1, the prophet is delivering a message of judgment against the cities of Judah and Israel due to their sins and transgressions. Shaphir is mentioned alongside other towns, each of which is subject to a specific form of judgment or calamity. The mention of "nakedness and shame" suggests a stripping away of dignity and protection, a common theme in prophetic literature where nakedness symbolizes exposure to judgment and disgrace.

The prophetic message to Shaphir is part of a larger literary device known as a "lament," where the prophet uses wordplay and the names of towns to convey the seriousness of the coming judgment. The name "Shaphir," meaning "beautiful," is contrasted with the impending shame and humiliation, highlighting the reversal of fortunes due to the people's unfaithfulness to God.

Historical and Geographical Considerations:
The exact location of Shaphir is not definitively known, but it is believed to have been situated in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah. This area was known for its fertile land and strategic importance, often serving as a battleground between various ancient powers.

Theological Significance:
The mention of Shaphir in Micah's prophecy serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant. The judgment pronounced upon Shaphir and the surrounding towns underscores the theme of divine justice and the call to repentance. It reflects the broader biblical narrative where God, through His prophets, calls His people to return to Him and warns of the consequences of disobedience.

Related Biblical Themes:
· Judgment and Repentance: The prophecy against Shaphir is part of a larger call to repentance, a central theme in the prophetic books. It emphasizes the need for the people of God to turn from their sinful ways and seek His mercy.
· Divine Justice: The passage illustrates the concept of divine justice, where God holds nations and individuals accountable for their actions.
· Covenant Faithfulness: The lament over Shaphir and other towns highlights the importance of remaining faithful to the covenant relationship with God, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.

Conclusion:
While Shaphir is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, its inclusion in Micah's prophecy serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The town's fate, as described by the prophet, is a call to heed the warnings of Scripture and to live in accordance with God's will.SHAPHIR

sha'-fer (shaphir, "glittering"; kalos; the King James Version Saphir): One of a group of towns mentioned in Micah 1:10-15. From the association with Gath, Achzib (of Judah) and Mareshah, it would seem that the places mentioned were in Southwestern Palestine. According to Eusebius, in Onomasticon, there was a Sapheir, "in the hill country" (from a confusion with Shamir (Joshua 15:48), where Septuagint A has Sapheir) between Eleutheropolis and Ascalon. The name probably survives in that of three villages called es-Suafir, in the plain, some 3 1/2 miles Southeast of Ashdod (PEF, II, 413, Sh XV). Cheyne (EB, col. 4282) suggests the white "glittering" hill Tell ec-Cafi, at the entrance to the Wady ec-Sunt, which was known to the Crusaders as Blanchegarde, but this site seems a more probable one for GATH (which see).

E. W. G. Masterman

8208. Shaphir -- "beauty," a place perhaps in Philistia
... 8207, 8208. Shaphir. 8209 . "beauty," a place perhaps in Philistia.
Transliteration: Shaphir Phonetic Spelling: (shaf-eer') Short Definition: Shaphir. ...
/hebrew/8208.htm - 6k

8209. shappir -- fair, beautiful
... beautiful. Word Origin (Aramaic) from a form corresponding to Shaphir Definition
fair, beautiful NASB Word Usage beautiful (2). fair. ...
/hebrew/8209.htm - 6k

Shaphir (1 Occurrence)
...SHAPHIR. sha'-fer (shaphir, "glittering"; kalos; the King James Version Saphir):
One of a group of towns mentioned in Micah 1:10-15. ...Shaphir (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shaphir.htm - 7k

Saphir (1 Occurrence)
... Ashdod. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SAPHIR. sa'-fer (shaphir). See SHAPHIR.
Multi-Version Concordance Saphir (1 Occurrence). Micah ...
/s/saphir.htm - 7k

Zaanan (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Zaanan (1 Occurrence). Micah 1:11 Pass on, inhabitant
of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan won't come out. ...
/z/zaanan.htm - 7k

Za'anan (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Za'anan (1 Occurrence). Micah 1:11 Pass on, inhabitant
of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan won't come out. ...
/z/za'anan.htm - 6k

Inhabitress (12 Occurrences)
... Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say. (DBY). Micah 1:11 Pass away, inhabitress of
Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitress of Zaanan ...
/i/inhabitress.htm - 10k

Ezel (3 Occurrences)
... himself; (YLT). Micah 1:11 Pass on, inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and
shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan won't come out. The wailing ...
/e/ezel.htm - 8k

Beth-e'zel (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Beth-e'zel (1 Occurrence). Micah 1:11 Pass over
for thee, O inhabitant of Shaphir, Naked one of shame. ...
/b/beth-e'zel.htm - 6k

Beth-ezel (1 Occurrence)
... Micah 1:11 Pass away, O inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame: the inhabitant
of Zaanan is not come forth; the wailing of Beth-ezel shall take from you ...
/b/beth-ezel.htm - 7k

Standing-place (1 Occurrence)
... Micah 1:11 Pass away, O inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame: the inhabitant
of Zaanan is not come forth; the wailing of Beth-ezel shall take from you ...
/s/standing-place.htm - 6k

Shapher (2 Occurrences)

/s/shapher.htm - 7k

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