Zuph is a biblical figure and geographical location mentioned in the Old Testament. The name "Zuph" is associated with both a person and a region, playing a significant role in the narrative of the early monarchy in Israel.

Zuph the Person

Zuph is identified as an ancestor of the prophet Samuel. In 1 Samuel 1:1, the Berean Standard Bible states: "Now there was a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite." This genealogy places Zuph within the tribe of Ephraim, highlighting his significance in the lineage leading to Samuel, one of Israel's most prominent prophets and the last judge of Israel.

Zuph the Region

The region of Zuph is mentioned in the context of Saul's search for his father's lost donkeys. In 1 Samuel 9:5, the BSB records: "When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, 'Come, let us return, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.'" This passage indicates that Zuph was a known area within the territory of Benjamin, suggesting its proximity to other significant locations in the narrative of Saul's anointing as king.

Historical and Geographical Context

The land of Zuph is believed to be located in the hill country of Ephraim, a region characterized by its rugged terrain and strategic importance. The mention of Zuph in the context of Saul's journey underscores the interconnectedness of the tribes of Israel during this period. The geographical reference to Zuph provides insight into the setting of the events leading to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel.

Theological Significance

Zuph's mention in the genealogical record of Samuel emphasizes the divine orchestration in the history of Israel. Samuel, as a descendant of Zuph, played a pivotal role in transitioning Israel from the period of the judges to the era of the monarchy. The narrative of Zuph, both as a person and a place, serves as a reminder of God's providential guidance in the unfolding of His plan for His people.

In summary, Zuph is a multifaceted term in the biblical narrative, representing both an ancestral figure in the lineage of Samuel and a geographical location significant in the early history of Israel's monarchy. The references to Zuph in the Scriptures highlight the intricate tapestry of relationships and events that shaped the nation of Israel according to divine purpose.Zuph

that beholds, observes, watches; roof; covering

Zuph

(honeycomb), The land of, a district at which Saul and his servant arrived after passing through the possessions of Shalisha, of Shalim and of the Benjamites. (1 Samuel 9:5) only. It evidently contained the city in which they encountered Samuel, ver. 6, and that again was certainly not far from the "tomb of Rachel." It may perhaps be identified with Soba, a well-known place about seven miles due west of Jerusalem.

Honeycomb, a Kohathite Levite, ancestor of Elkanah and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1); called also Zophai (1 Chronicles 6:26).

Zuph, Land of

(1 Samuel 9:5, 6), a district in which lay Samuel's city, Ramah. It was probably so named after Elkanah's son, Zuph (1 Chronicles 6:26, marg.).

ZUPH

zuf (tsuph, "honeycomb"):

(1) According to 1 Samuel 1:1 b; 1 Chronicles 6:35 (Hebrew verse 20) = "Zophai" of 1 Chronicles 6:26 (11), an ancestor of Elkanah and Samuel. But Budde and Wellhausen take it to be an adjective, and so read tsuphi, in 1 Samuel 1:1 b: "Tohu a Zuphite, an Ephraimite." It should probably be read also in 1:1a: "Now there was a certain man of the Ramathites, a Zuphite of the hill-country of Ephraim," as the Hebrew construction in the first part of the verse is otherwise unnatural. The Septuagint's Codex Alexandrinus has Soup; Lucian has Souph in 1 Samuel 1:1 b; 1 Chronicles 6:26 (11); Codex Vaticanus has Souphei; Codex Alexandrinus and Lucian have Souphi; 6:35 (20), Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus have Souph; Lucian has Souphi; and the Kethibh has tsiph.

(2) The Septuagint's Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus have Seiph; Lucian has Sipha, "the land of Zuph," a district in Benjamin, near its northern border (1 Samuel 9:5).

David Francis Roberts

6689. Tsuph -- ancestor of Elkanah and Samuel
... 6688, 6689. Tsuph. 6690 . ancestor of Elkanah and Samuel. Transliteration:
Tsuph Phonetic Spelling: (tsoof) Short Definition: Zuph. ... Zophai, Zuph. ...
/hebrew/6689.htm - 6k

The Old Judge and the Young King
... It was not Samuel's ordinary residence; it was in the 'land of Zuph,' an unknown
district; it was perched, like most of the cities, on a hill; it had fountains ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the old judge and the.htm

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
... of Samuel was Ramath Zophim; and this of Benjamin, was Ramath Zophim also: but by
a different etymology, as it seems:"that, it may be, from Zuph, Saul's great ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 43 ramah ramathaim zophim.htm

How Samuel Found a Leader
... They had come into the land of Zuph when Saul said to his servant who was with him,
"Come, let us go back, that my father may not stop thinking of the asses ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how samuel found a leader.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... his name." For [4396] Levi begat Kohath, Kohath begat Amminadab, Amminadab begat
Korah, Korah begat Assir, Assir begat Elkanah, Elkanah begat Zuph, Zuph begat ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Zuph (3 Occurrences)
...Zuph, Land of. (1 Samuel 9:5, 6), a district in which lay Samuel's city, Ramah.
It was probably so named after Elkanah's son, Zuph (1 Chronicles 6:26, marg.). ...
/z/zuph.htm - 9k

Ramathaimzophim (1 Occurrence)
... The two heights of the Zophites or of the watchers (only in 1 Samuel 1:1), "in the
land of Zuph" (9:5). Ramathaim is another name for Ramah (4). ...
/r/ramathaimzophim.htm - 8k

Ramathaim-zophim (1 Occurrence)
... The two heights of the Zophites or of the watchers (only in 1 Samuel 1:1), "in the
land of Zuph" (9:5). Ramathaim is another name for Ramah (4). ...
/r/ramathaim-zophim.htm - 8k

Zuphite (1 Occurrence)
... Ramathaim, a Zuphite of the hill-country of Ephraim, named Elkanah; he was the son
of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite ...
/z/zuphite.htm - 6k

Elka'nah (20 Occurrences)
... zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham,
the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. ...
/e/elka'nah.htm - 11k

Elkanah (20 Occurrences)
... Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham,
the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite: (WEB ...
/e/elkanah.htm - 14k

Samuel (129 Occurrences)
... Saul, his personal appearance, and the search for the lost asses of his father
(1 Samuel 9:1-5); his meeting with Samuel in a city in the land of Zuph, in or ...
/s/samuel.htm - 90k

Zophai (1 Occurrence)
... zo'fi, zo'-fa-i (tsophay, meaning uncertain): In 1 Chronicles 6:26 (Hebrew verse
11) = Zuph, the Qere of 1 Chronicles 6:35 (Hebrew, verse 20), and 1 Samuel 1:1 ...
/z/zophai.htm - 7k

Zophim (2 Occurrences)
... Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham,
the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite: (WEB ...
/z/zophim.htm - 8k

Zuf (1 Occurrence)

/z/zuf.htm - 6k

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