ZOPHAI

(Zoʹphai).

A son of a certain Elkanah and ancestor of Samuel. The alternate form of the name is Zuph.—1 Chron. 6:26, 28, 33-35; see ZUPH No. 1.

ZOPHAR

(Zoʹphar)

One of Job’s three “companions”; the Naamathite. The meaning of name is rather indefinite. (Job 2:11) Zophar was the third in turn to speak in the debate with Job. His general line of reasoning followed that of Eliphaz and Bildad; he accused Job of wickedness, telling him to put away his sinful practices. (Job chaps. 11, 20) But after two rounds Zophar desisted; he had spoken his words of denunciation and had nothing to add in the third round. In the end Jehovah commanded that he and his companions offer a great sacrifice, and that Job pray in their behalf.—Job 42:7-9.

ZOPHIM

(Zoʹphim) [Heb., tsoh·phimʹ; watchers].

A field on the top of Pisgah where Balaam built seven altars, where sacrifices were offered and where the prophet took up one of his proverbial utterances regarding Israel. (Num. 23:14-24) The name Zophim seems to be preserved at Tela ʽat es-Safa near the suggested location of Pisgah, E of the N end of the Dead Sea. Other scholars, however, translate the word tsoh·phimʹ rather than considering it a proper name, using such expressions as “the field of the watchmen.”—Le; compare JB, NE (1970 ed.).

ZORAH

(Zoʹrah).

A city in the Shephelah allotted to the tribe of Judah. (Josh. 15:20, 33) Situated on the boundary between Dan and Judah, it was inhabited by people of Dan. (Josh. 19:41, 48; Judg. 18:2, 8, 11) The Danite Samson was born at Zorah and was buried nearby. (Judg. 13:2, 24, 25; 16:31) The city was fortified by King Rehoboam, perhaps because of its strategic location some fourteen miles (22.5 kilometers) W of Jerusalem. (2 Chron. 11, 5. 10) Zorah was repopulated by some sons of Judah who returned from Babylonian exile. (Neh. 11:25, 29) It is identified with present-day Sarʽa, on the N side of what is suggested to be the valley of Sorek.

ZORATHITES

(Zoʹrath·ites).

Descendants of Shobal, of the tribe of Judah.—1 Chron. 2:3, 52, 53; 4:2.

ZORITES

(Zorʹites).

Descendants of Salma of the tribe of Judah.—1 Chron. 2:3, 54.

ZUAR

(Zuʹar) [little one].

A man of Issachar whose “son” Nethanel was a tribal chieftain in the wilderness.—Num. 1:8, 16; 2:5; 7:18, 23; 10:15.

ZUPH

[possibly, honeycomb].

1. A Kohathite Levite and ancestor of Samuel. (1 Sam. 1:1; 1 Chron. 6:33-38) He is also called Zophai, an alternate form of the same name.—1 Chron. 6:26.

2. A “land” outside the territory of Benjamin through which Saul went searching for his father’s she-asses. In a city within the land of Zuph, Saul had his first meeting with Samuel. (1 Sam. 9:3-6, 15-18) The exact location of Zuph is not known.

ZUR

[rock].

One of the five kings of Midian at the time Israel approached the Promised Land. Zur is also called a “chieftain” and a “head one of the clans of a paternal house,” as well as a ‘duke of Sihon.’ His daughter Cozbi was the Midianitess whom Zimri took for immoral relations and whom Phinehas slew. Zur himself was killed when the Israelites punished Midian for luring some men of Israel into immoral intercourse and false worship.—Num. 25:14-18; 31:1, 2, 7, 8; Josh. 13:21.

ZURIEL

(Zuʹri·el) [my rock is God].

Wilderness chieftain of the Merarite Levites; son of Abihail.—Num. 3:35.

ZURISHADDAI

(Zu·ri·shadʹdai) [my rock is the Almighty].

A Simeonite whose “son” Shelumiel was tribal chieftain during the wilderness journey.—Num. 1:6, 16; 2:12; 7:36, 41; 10:19.

ZUZIM

(Zuʹzim).

A people E of the Jordan River whom Chedorlaomer’s forces defeated in Ham.—Gen. 14:5.

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