Bible Encyclopedia: Mizpeh

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

MIZPAH; MIZPEH

miz'-pa, miz'-pe: This name is pointed both ways in the Hebrew, and is found usually with the article. The meaning seems to be "outlook" or "watchtower." It is natural, therefore, to look for the places so named in high positions commanding wide prospects.

(1) (ha-mitspah (Genesis 31:49 Judges 11:11, 34), mitspah (Hosea 5:1), mitspeh ghil`adh (Judges 11:29); Massepha, ten skopian, and other forms): It seems probable that the same place is intended in all these passages, and that it is identical with Ramath-mizpeh of Joshua 13:26. It is the place where Jacob and Laban parted in Mt. Gilead; consequently it lay to the North of Mahanaim. Here was the home of Jephthah, to which he returned after the defeat of the Aremonites, only to realize how his rash vow had brought desolation to his house. It was taken by Judas Maccabeus, who destroyed the inhabitants and burned the city (1 Maccabees 5:35). Jerash, and Kal`at er-Rabad; but these seem all to lie South of any possible site for Mahanaim. A ruined site was discovered by Dr. Schumacher (M und NPDV, 1897, 86), with the name Macfa, which is just the Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew Mitspah. It lies some distance to the Northwest of Jerash and claims consideration in any attempt to fix the site of Mizpah.

(2) ('erets ha-mitspah (Joshua 11:3), biq`ath mitspeh (verse 8); Masseuman, Massephath, and other forms): The "land of Mizpah" and the "valley of Mizpah" may be taken as applying to the same district. It lay on the southwest slopes of Hermon Northeast of the Waters of Merom. The site must be looked for on one of the heights in the region indicated, from which a wide view is obtained. MuTallah, a Druze village standing on a hill to the North of `Abil and East of Nahr el-Chasbany, was suggested by Robinson. The present writer agrees with Buhl (GAP, 240) that the ancient castle above Banias, Kal`at ec-Cubeibeh, occupies a more likely position.

(3) (mitspeh; Maspha): A town in the Shephelah of Judah named with Dilan, Joktheel and Lachish (Tell el-Hesy). Eusebius, Onomasticon mentions a Macfa in the neighborhood of Eleutheropolis, to the North. The identification proposed by Van de Velde and Guerin would suit this description. They would locate Mizeph at Tell ec-Cafiyeh, about 7 1/2 miles Northwest of Beit Jibrin, "a conspicuous hill with a glittering white cliff rising like an isolated block above the adjacent country" (PEFS, 1903, 276). Many identify this site with Gath, but the name and character of the place point rather to identification with Mizpeh, the Blanche Guarde or Alba Specula of the Middle Ages.

(4) (ha-mitspah; Massema, Maspha): A town in the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 18:26). Hither came the men of Israel to deal with the Benjamites after the outrage on the Levite's concubine (Judges 20:1, 3; Judges 21:1, 5, 8). At Mizpah, Samuel gathered his countrymen. While there crying to God in their distress, they were attacked by the Philistines, whom they defeated with great slaughter (1 Samuel 7:5, etc.). Here also Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen king, after which Samuel told the people the "manner of the kingdom" (10:17, etc.). Mizpah was fortified by Asa, king of Judah, with materials which Baasha, king of Israel, had used to fortify Ramah (1 Kings 15:22 2 Chronicles 16:6). When Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and made Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, governor of the remnant of the people left in the land of Judah, the governor's residence was fixed at Mizpah (2 Kings 25:23). Here he was joined by Jeremiah, whom Nebuzaradan, captain of the Babylonian guard, had set free. At Mizpah, Ishmael, son of Nathaiah, treacherously slew Gedaliah and many who were with him. Two days later he murdered a company of pilgrims, throwing their dead bodies into the great cistern which Asa had made when strengthening the place against possible attack by Baasha of Samaria. He then made prisoners of the people, including the king's daughters, and attempted to convey them away to the Ammonites, an attempt that was frustrated by Johanan, son of Kareah (Jeremiah 40; Jeremiah 41). Mizpah was the scene of memorable assembly in a day of sore anxiety for Judah, when Judas Maccabeus called the warriors of Judah together for counsel and prayer (1 Maccabees 3:46). From this passage we also learn that the place was an ancient sanctuary-"for in Mizpah there was a place of prayer aforetime for Israel."

It has been proposed to identify Mizpah with Tell Nasbeh, a site on the watershed South of Bireh. The Abbe Raboisson established the fact that Jerusalem can be seen from this point. In this respect it agrees with Maundeville's description. "It is a very fair and delicious place, and it is called Mt. Joy because it gives joy to pilgrims' hearts, for from that place men first see Jerusalem." But Jeremiah 41:10 may be taken as decisive against this identification. Ishmael departed to go east. From Tell Nasbeh this would never have brought him to the great waters that are in Gibeon (PEFS, 1898, 169, 251; 1903, 267). A more probable identification is with Neby Samwil, a village on high ground 4 1/2 miles Northwest of Jerusalem, the traditional burying-place of Samuel. It is 2,935 ft. above sea-level, and 500 ft. higher than the surrounding land. Here the pilgrims coming up by way of Beth-heron from Jaffa, the ancient route, first saw the Holy City. The mosque of the village was formerly a church, dating from Crusading times; and here the tomb of Samuel is shown. If this is the ancient Mizpah, a very slight detour to the North would bring Ishmael to the great waters that are in Gibeon, el-Jib (Gibeon) being only a mile and a quarter distant.

(5) (mitspeh mo'abh "Mizpeh of Moab"; Masepha): A town in Moab to which David took his parents for safety during Saul's pursuit of him (1 Samuel 22:3). It is possibly to be identified with Kir-moab, the modern Kerak, whither David would naturally go to interview the king. But there is no certainty. Possibly we should read "Mizpah" instead of "the hold" in 1 Samuel 22:5.

(6) In 2 Chronicles 20:24, probably we should read "Mizpah" instead of "watch-tower": ha-mitspeh la-midhbar would then point to a Mizpeh of the Wilderness to be sought in the district of Tekoa (20:20).

W. Ewing

Strong's Hebrew

7434. Ramath Hammitspeh -- "height of the watchtower," a city on N ...
... of the watchtower," a city on N. border of Gad. Transliteration: Ramath Hammitspeh
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-math' ham-mits-peh') Short Definition: Ramath-mizpeh. ...
/hebrew/7434.htm - 6k

4708. Mitspeh -- the name of several places in Isr.
... NASB Word Usage Mizpah (4), Mizpeh (3). Mizpeh, watch tower. The same as mitspeh;
Mitspeh, the name of five places in Palestine -- Mizpeh, watch tower. ...
/hebrew/4708.htm - 6k

4709. Mitspah -- the name of several places in Isr.
... Mizpah. Word Origin from tsaphah Definition the name of several places in Isr.
NASB Word Usage Mizpah (38), Mizpeh (1). Mitspah. Feminine ...
/hebrew/4709.htm - 6k

Library

Repentance and victory
... Philistines.4. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and
served the Lord only.5. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
... Israel, before their gathering together by Samuel on occasion of the drawing of
water at Mizpeh, had sinned; but so immediately do they wash away the sin by a ...
/.../chapter vii further examples from the.htm

Ebenezer!
... "Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name
of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.""1 Samuel 7:12. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

Samuel, the Child of Prayer
... be mixed with and must accompany their reformation So Samuel, true to his convictions
about prayer, says to the people, "Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/ix samuel the child of.htm

Sermon at the Faribault Celebration of the Centennial of the ...
... "Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name
of it Ebeneser, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."" 1 Samuel 7:12. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/ii sermon at the faribault.htm

The Judges.
... means of prayer. He founded schools for the instruction of young prophets
at Gilgal. Bethel, Mizpeh and Ramah. In this he perhaps ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL THE KING AFTER MAN'S HEART. 'And Samuel called
the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh; 18. And said ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

The Expedition of the Philistines against the Hebrews and the ...
... So Samuel gathered them together to a certain city called Mizpeh, which, in the
Hebrew tongue, signifies a watch-tower; there they drew water, and poured it ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 the expedition of.htm

First Attempts on Jerusalem.
... monotonous. The hill of Mizpeh, around which cluster the most ancient
historical remembrances of Israel, alone relieves the eye. ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xiii first attempts on.htm

Of the Disruption of the Kingdom of Israel, by which the Perpetual ...
... and they were confused, and fell before Israel and were overcome; [then] he took
one stone and set it up between the old and new Massephat [Mizpeh], and called ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 7 of the disruption of.htm

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Mizpeh

[MIZPAH]

Thesaurus

Mizpeh (24 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MIZPAH; MIZPEH. miz'-pa, miz'-pe: This name is
pointed both ways in the Hebrew, and is found usually with the article. ...
/m/mizpeh.htm - 21k

Ramath-mizpeh (1 Occurrence)
Ramath-mizpeh. Ramathmizpeh, Ramath-mizpeh. Ra'math-miz'peh . Easton's
Bible Dictionary The height of Mizpeh or of the watch-tower ...
/r/ramath-mizpeh.htm - 7k

Ramathmizpeh (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The height of Mizpeh or of the watch-tower (Joshua
13:26), a place mentioned as one of the limits of Gad. ... RAMATH-MIZPEH. ...
/r/ramathmizpeh.htm - 7k

Mizpah (42 Occurrences)
... Padan-aram. Here Jacob and Laban set up their memorial cairn of stones.
It is the same as Ramath-mizpeh (Joshua 13:26). (2.) A town ...
/m/mizpah.htm - 31k

Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences)
... (see RAMATH-MIZPEH.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ... The place is not mentioned
again, unless, indeed, it be identical with "Mizpeh" in 1 Maccabees 5:35. ...
/r/ramothgilead.htm - 19k

Ramoth-gilead (20 Occurrences)
... (see RAMATH-MIZPEH.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ... The place is not mentioned
again, unless, indeed, it be identical with "Mizpeh" in 1 Maccabees 5:35. ...
/r/ramoth-gilead.htm - 20k

Ebenezer (3 Occurrences)
... to Israel in their great battle against the Philistines, whom they totally routed
(1 Samuel 7:7-12) at Aphek, in the neighbourhood of Mizpeh, in Benjamin, near ...
/e/ebenezer.htm - 9k

Eben-ezer (3 Occurrences)
... to Israel in their great battle against the Philistines, whom they totally routed
(1 Samuel 7:7-12) at Aphek, in the neighbourhood of Mizpeh, in Benjamin, near ...
/e/eben-ezer.htm - 9k

Samuel (129 Occurrences)
... His labours were so far successful that "all the house of Israel lamented after
the Lord." Samuel summoned the people to Mizpeh, one of the loftiest hills in ...
/s/samuel.htm - 90k

Jephthah (26 Occurrences)
... Jephthah prepared for battle, but before taking the field paused at Mizpeh of Gilead,
and registered a vow that if he were successful in battle, he would offer ...
/j/jephthah.htm - 20k

Bible Concordance

Mizpeh (24 Occurrences)

Joshua 11:3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
(KJV WBS YLT NAS)

Joshua 11:8 Yahweh delivered them into the hand of Israel, and they struck them, and chased them to great Sidon, and to Misrephoth Maim, and to the valley of Mizpeh eastward. They struck them until they left them none remaining.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Joshua 13:26 and from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS)

Joshua 15:38 Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Joshua 18:26 Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Judges 10:17 Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.
(KJV WBS)

Judges 11:11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Judges 11:29 Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over to the children of Ammon.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Judges 11:34 And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Judges 12:7 Now Jephthah was judge of Israel for six years. And Jephthah the Gileadite came to his death, and his body was put to rest in his town, Mizpeh of Gilead.
(BBE)

Judges 20:1 Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Judges 20:3 (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?
(KJV WBS YLT)

Judges 21:1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Judges 21:5 And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Judges 21:8 And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabeshgilead to the assembly.
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 7:7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 7:11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 7:16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 10:17 And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;
(KJV WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 22:3 David went there to Mizpeh of Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and my mother come out with you, until I know what God will do for me."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Jeremiah 41:16 Then Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, took all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpeh, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon.
(WBS)

Subtopics

Mizpeh

Related Terms

Ramath-mizpeh (1 Occurrence)

Ramathmizpeh (1 Occurrence)

Mizpah (42 Occurrences)

Ramothgilead (19 Occurrences)

Ramoth-gilead (20 Occurrences)

Ebenezer (3 Occurrences)

Eben-ezer (3 Occurrences)

Samuel (129 Occurrences)

Jephthah (26 Occurrences)