Overview:
Zophim is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Numbers. It is associated with the narrative of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, who was summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. The site is significant for its role in the unfolding of God's sovereign plan and the demonstration of His protection over Israel.

Biblical References:
The primary reference to Zophim is found in Numbers 23:14. The passage describes how Balak took Balaam to the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah, where he could observe the Israelites and attempt to curse them. The Berean Standard Bible states: "So Balak took Balaam to the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar."

Geographical Context:
Zophim is located on the top of Pisgah, a mountain range in the region of Moab, east of the Jordan River. Pisgah is often associated with Mount Nebo, from which Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death (Deuteronomy 34:1). The field of Zophim, therefore, is situated in a place of significant elevation, providing a vantage point over the surrounding areas, including the encampment of the Israelites.

Historical and Theological Significance:
The narrative involving Zophim underscores several key theological themes:

1. Divine Sovereignty and Protection: Despite Balak's intentions to harm Israel through Balaam's curse, God intervenes, turning the curse into a blessing. This demonstrates God's sovereign control over the nations and His protective care for His chosen people. Balaam's inability to curse Israel, despite being in a strategic location like Zophim, highlights the futility of opposing God's will.

2. Prophetic Revelation: The events at Zophim contribute to the broader narrative of Balaam's oracles, which affirm God's promises to Israel. Balaam's prophecies, delivered from Zophim and other locations, ultimately bless Israel and foretell the coming of a ruler from Jacob (Numbers 24:17).

3. Moral and Spiritual Lessons: The account of Balaam at Zophim serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the temptation to compromise one's integrity for material gain. Balaam's journey to Zophim, motivated by the promise of reward from Balak, illustrates the conflict between human desires and divine commands.

Cultural and Literary Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, high places like Zophim were often associated with religious rituals and encounters with the divine. The construction of altars and the offering of sacrifices at Zophim align with the cultural practices of the time, where such acts were believed to invoke divine favor or intervention.

Conclusion:
While Zophim is a relatively minor geographical reference in the biblical text, its role in the narrative of Balaam and Balak is significant. It serves as a backdrop for the demonstration of God's unchanging faithfulness to Israel and His ability to use even reluctant prophets to fulfill His purposes. The events at Zophim remind believers of the importance of aligning with God's will and the assurance of His protection over His people.Zophim

place for a watchman

Zophim

(watchers), The field of, a spot on or near the top of Pisgah, from which Balaam had his second view of the encampment of Israel. (Numbers 23:14) The position of the field of Zophim is not defined. Possibly it is the same place which later in the history is mentioned as Mizpah-moab.

Zophim, Field of

Field of watchers, a place in Moab on the range of Pisgah (Numbers 23:14). To this place Balak brought Balaam, that he might from thence curse the children of Israel. Balaam could only speak the word of the Lord, and that was blessing. It is the modern Tal'at-es-Safa. (see PISGAH.)

ZOPHIM, THE FIELD OF

zo'-fim, (sedheh tsophim; eis agrou skopian): The place on the top of Pisgah to which Balak took Balaam, whence only a part of the host of Israel could be seen (Numbers 23:14). Perhaps we should simply translate "field of watchers." Conder draws attention to the name Tal`at es-Sufa attached to an ascent leading up to the ridge of Neba from the North Here possibly is a survival of the old name. For Ramathaim-zophim see RAMAH.

6839. Tsophim -- "watchers," a field on the summit of Mount Pisgah
... Tsophim. 6840 . "watchers," a field on the summit of Mount Pisgah. Transliteration:
Tsophim Phonetic Spelling: (tso-feem') Short Definition: Zophim. ... Zophim. ...
/hebrew/6839.htm - 6k

7436. Ramathayim Tsophim -- "double height of watchers," a city in ...
... height of watchers," a city in Ephraim. Transliteration: Ramathayim Tsophim Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-maw-thah'-yim tso-feem') Short Definition: Ramathaim-zophim. ...
/hebrew/7436.htm - 6k

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 41-50 Chapter 43 Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim.
Gibeah. There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 43 ramah ramathaim zophim.htm

Scopo
... a valley somewhat broader, stretched out from Sion northward, the land swelled into
a hill, at the place which from thence was called Zophim; because thence ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 42 scopo.htm

John i. 1
... is said, "God made the Heaven and the earth, and the earth was invisible and unformed."
( Genesis 1:2.) And, "There was' a man of Ramathaim Zophim." ( 1 Samuel ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iii john i 1.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapters 41-50. Chapter 41 Bethany. Beth-hene. Chapter 42 Scopo. Chapter 43 Ramah.
Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah. Chapter 44 Nob. Bahurim. Chapter 45 Emmaus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... And he took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven
altars, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

Zophim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Zophim, Field of. ... It is the modern Tal'at-es-Safa. (see
PISGAH.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZOPHIM, THE FIELD OF. ...
/z/zophim.htm - 8k

Ramathaim-zophim (1 Occurrence)
Ramathaim-zophim. Ramathaimzophim, Ramathaim-zophim. Ramatha'im-zo'phim . Easton's
Bible Dictionary ... RAMATHAIM-ZOPHIM. ra-ma-tha'-im-zo'-fim. See RAMAH, (4). ...
/r/ramathaim-zophim.htm - 8k

Ramathaimzophim (1 Occurrence)
... 35), had a district assigned to them in Ephraim, which from this circumstance was
called "the land of Zuph," and hence the name of the town, "Zophim." It was ...
/r/ramathaimzophim.htm - 8k

Pisgah (8 Occurrences)
... Hither Balak brought Balaam to the field of Zophim (Numbers 23:14). Here Moses
obtained his view of the Promised Land, and died. See NEBO. ...
/p/pisgah.htm - 13k

Ramatha'im-zo'phim (1 Occurrence)
Ramatha'im-zo'phim. Ramathaim-zophim, Ramatha'im-zo'phim. Ramathem .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (See RSV). Ramathaim-zophim, Ramatha'im-zo'phim. Ramathem ...
/r/ramatha'im-zo'phim.htm - 6k

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)
... the burial place of Moses; thirdly, Tal`at es-Sufa, which is radically identical
with the Hebrew Zuph (tsuph), whence Mizpah (mitspah) and Zophim (tsophim..... ...
/m/malchiel.htm - 74k

Field (390 Occurrences)
... EWG Masterman. ZOPHIM, THE FIELD OF. ... For Ramathaim-zophim see RAMAH. FIELD. feld.
See AGRICULTURE. POTTER'S FIELD. pot'-erz. See ACELDAMA. ...
/f/field.htm - 44k

Hannah (13 Occurrences)
... Favour, grace, one of the wives of Elkanah the Levite, and the mother of Samuel
(1 Samuel 1; 2). Her home was at Ramathaim-zophim, whence she was wont every ...
/h/hannah.htm - 14k

Nebo (13 Occurrences)
... the burial place of Moses; thirdly, Tal`at es-Sufa, which is radically identical
with the Hebrew Zuph (tsuph), whence Mizpah (mitspah) and Zophim (tsophim..... ...
/n/nebo.htm - 17k

Zophar (4 Occurrences)

/z/zophar.htm - 10k

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