Ziph (Bible)

Ziph (Hebrew: זיף, romanized: Zîp̄) was a town in the Judean Mountains (Joshua 15:55) south-east of Hebron. Here David hid himself from Saul (1 Samuel 23:19; Psalm 54). The name of Zif is found about four miles south of Hebron, attached to a rounded hill of some 100 feet in height, which is called Tell Zif. Its name appears on a number of LMLK seals along with those of Hebron, Socoh and MMST.[1] It has been identified as the Palestinian village of Zif, Hebron.

For other places with the same name, see Ziph.
David Spares Saul's Life, 1860 woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld

From archaeology

Scholars debate the interpretation of the word Z(Y)F on LMLK seals. It may be a reference to an economic center established at the site south-east of Hebron during the reign of King Hezekiah (circa 700 BC), or it may be a literal votive inscription meaning "battlement", "flowing", "mouthful", "pinnacle", or "supply" (Grena, 2004, pp. 51, 360–2).

See also
  • Zif, the modern-day Palestinian village near Hebron

References
  1. Naʼaman, Nadav (2005). Ancient Israel and Its Neighbors: Interaction and Counteraction. Eisenbrauns. pp. 164–165. ISBN 9781575061085. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  • Grena, G.M. (2004). LMLK--A Mystery Belonging to the King vol. 1. Redondo Beach, California: 4000 Years of Writing History. ISBN 0-9748786-0-X.
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