Tiphsah is a location mentioned in the Bible, known for its strategic and economic significance in ancient times. The name "Tiphsah" is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "crossing" or "ford," indicating its role as a crossing point over a river, which is consistent with its historical and geographical context.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Kings 4:24 : "For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates—over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides." This verse highlights Tiphsah as a boundary marker of King Solomon's extensive realm. It underscores the city's importance as a northern limit of his dominion, stretching from the Euphrates River to Gaza. The mention of Tiphsah in this context reflects the prosperity and peace during Solomon's reign, as well as the vastness of his kingdom.

2. 2 Kings 15:16 : "At that time Menahem, starting out from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in the city and its vicinity, because they refused to open their gates. And he ripped open all the pregnant women." This passage describes a brutal event during the reign of Menahem, king of Israel. Tiphsah's refusal to open its gates to Menahem led to a violent assault, illustrating the city's strategic importance and the harsh realities of ancient warfare. The incident also reflects the turbulent period of the divided monarchy in Israel.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Tiphsah is traditionally identified with the city of Thapsacus, located on the western bank of the Euphrates River. This identification is supported by its role as a major crossing point on the river, facilitating trade and military movements between Mesopotamia and the Levant. The city's location made it a vital link in the network of ancient trade routes, contributing to its economic significance.

In the broader historical context, Tiphsah's position on the Euphrates made it a focal point for various empires and kingdoms seeking control over the region. Its mention in the Bible during the reigns of Solomon and Menahem highlights its enduring importance across different periods.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Tiphsah's inclusion in the biblical narrative serves as a testament to the historical accuracy and geographical awareness of the biblical authors. It also illustrates the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel regarding the extent of their territory, as seen in the reign of Solomon. The city's mention in the context of Menahem's reign further emphasizes the consequences of disobedience and the moral decline during the period of the divided kingdom.

Overall, Tiphsah stands as a significant location in biblical history, representing both the zenith of Israel's territorial expansion under Solomon and the subsequent moral and political challenges faced by the nation.Tiphsah

passage; leap; step; the passover

Tiphsah

(ford) is mentioned in (1 Kings 4:24) as the limit of Solomon's empire toward the Euphrates and in (2 Kings 15:16) it is said to have been attacked by Menahemi. It was known to the Greeks and Romans under the name of Thapsacus, and was the point where it was usual to cross the Euphrates. Thapsacus has been generally placed at the modern Deir ; but the Euphrates expedition proved that there is no ford at Deir , and that the only ford in this part of the course of the Euphrates is at Suriyeh , 45 miles below Balis, and 165 above Deir . This, then, must have been the position of Thapsacus.

Tiphsah

The ancient Thapsacus, an important city on the western bank of the Euphrates, which constituted the northeastern extremity of Solomon's dominions, 1 Kings 4:24. The ford at this place being the last one on the Euphrates towards the south, its possession was important to Solomon in his design to attract the trade of the East to Palestine. Hence the building of Tadmor on the desert route. Perhaps the same city is meant in 2 Kings 15:16, though some understand here a city of the same name near Samaria.

Passing over; ford, one of the boundaries of Solomon's dominions (1 Kings 4:24), probably "Thapsacus, a great and wealthy town on the western bank of the Euphrates," about 100 miles north-east of Tadmor. All the land traffic between the east and the west passed through it. Menahem undertook an expedition against this city, and "smote Tiphsah and all that were therein" (2 Kings 15:16). This expedition implied a march of some 300 miles from Tirzah if by way of Tadmor, and about 400 if by way of Aleppo; and its success showed the strength of the Israelite kingdom, for it was practically a defiance to Assyria. Conder, however, identifies this place with Khurbet Tafsah, some 6 miles west of Shechem. TIPHSAH

tif'-sa (tiphcach, "ford"; Thapsa):

(1) This marks the northern extremity of the dominions ruled by Solomon, Gaza being the limit on the South (1 Kings 4:24). It can hardly be other than Thapsacus, on the right bank of the Euphrates, before its waters join those of the Balik. The great caravan route between East and West crossed the river by the ford at this point. Here Cyrus the younger effected a somewhat perilous crossing (Xenophon, Anabasis i.4, 2). The ford was also used by Darius; but Alexander the Great, in his pursuit constructed two bridges for the transport of his army (Arrian iii.7). Under the Seleucids it was called Amphipolis. The site is probably occupied by the modern Qal`at Dibse, where there is a ford still used by the caravans. It is about 8 miles below Meskene, where the river makes a bend to the East.

(2) (Codex Vaticanus Thersa, Codex Alexandrinus Thaira): The inhabitants of this town, which was apparently not far from Tirzah, did not favor the regicide Menahem, refusing to open to him. In his wrath he massacred the Tiphsites with circumstances of horrible cruelty (2 Kings 15:16). Khirbet Tafsah, about 6 miles Southwest of Nablus, corresponds in name, but is probably too far from Tirzah.

W. Ewing

8607. Tiphsach -- a place on the Euphrates
... 8606, 8607. Tiphsach. 8608 . a place on the Euphrates. Transliteration: Tiphsach
Phonetic Spelling: (tif-sakh') Short Definition: Tiphsah. ...
/hebrew/8607.htm - 6k

How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah and Pekah Took the ...
... all his forces to Samaria, and joining battle with Shallum, slew him; and when he
had made himself king, he went thence, and came to the city Tiphsah; but the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how zachariah shallum.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... nor evil obstacle." We refer, finally, to 1 Kings 5:4, 5 (iv.24, 25): "He had dominion
over all the region on the other side of the river, from Tiphsah even to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Tiphsah (2 Occurrences)
... Menahem undertook an expedition against this city, and "smote Tiphsah and all that
were therein" (2 Kings 15:16). ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TIPHSAH. ...
/t/tiphsah.htm - 9k

Menahem (8 Occurrences)
... One town only seems to have refused to acknowledge him. This was Tiphsah, a place
6 miles Southwest of Shechem, now the ruined village of Khurbet Tafsah. ...
/m/menahem.htm - 13k

Tip (17 Occurrences)

/t/tip.htm - 13k

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 15:16 Then Menahem struck Tiphsah, and all who were therein, and its borders,
from Tirzah: because they didn't open to him, therefore he struck it; and ...
/v/vicinity.htm - 11k

Kingdoms (65 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from
Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River; and he had ...
/k/kingdoms.htm - 29k

Gazah (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:24 For he had dominion over all on this side the river, from Tiphsah as
far as Gazah, over all the kings on this side the river; and he had peace on ...
/g/gazah.htm - 11k

Tippling (1 Occurrence)

/t/tippling.htm - 6k

Ripped (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 15:16 Then Menahem struck Tiphsah, and all who were therein, and its borders,
from Tirzah: because they didn't open to him, therefore he struck it; and ...
/r/ripped.htm - 7k

Euphra'tes (33 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from
Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had ...
/e/euphra'tes.htm - 16k

Men'ahem (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 15:16 Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the borders
thereof, from Tirzah; because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it ...
/m/men'ahem.htm - 8k

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