Original Word: בַּעַל צְפוֹן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Ba`al Tsphown
Pronunciation: bah'-al tseh-fone'
Phonetic Spelling: (bah'-al tsef-one')
KJV: Baal-zephon
NASB: Baal-zephon
Word Origin: [from H1168 (בַּעַל - Baal) and H6828 (צָּפוֹן צָּפוֹן - north) (in the sense of cold) (according to others an Egyptian form of Typhon, the destroyer)]

1. Baal of winter
2. Baal-Tsephon, a place in Eqypt

Baal-zephon

From Ba'al and tsaphown (in the sense of cold) (according to others an Egyptian form of Typhon, the destroyer); Baal of winter; Baal-Tsephon, a place in Eqypt -- Baal-zephon.

see HEBREW Ba'al

see HEBREW tsaphown

Word Origin
from Baal and perhaps tsaphon
Definition
"Baal of winter," a place in Eg.
NASB Translation
Baal-zephon (3).

בַּ֫עַל צְפוֺן proper name, of a location Exodus 14:2,9; Numbers 33:7, near Red Sea in Egypt, probably Mt. `Atâka, Eb^{GS 524}.

צְפוֺן, צְפוֺנִי see צִפְיוֺן. below,

צְפוֺן, in בַּעַל צְפוֺן (q. v.), perhaps proper name, of deity, Bae^{Rel. 22} Nö^{ZMG zlii (1888). 472} Gray^{Prop. N. 134}.

Name and Meaning

Baal-zephon, rendered in English as “Baal Zephon,” signifies “lord (or master) of the north” and is linked to a Canaanite–Syrian storm-god whose cult was associated with maritime protection. In Scripture the term functions not primarily as a deity’s title but as the toponym for a strategic location on the route of the Exodus.

Geographical Setting

Baal-zephon is listed with Pi Hahiroth and Migdol as reference points on the western shore of the Red Sea (Yam Suph). Ancient records from Egypt mention a sanctuary of Baʿal Ṣapōn guarding the northern approaches to the Gulf of Suez; proposed sites include Tell el-Deir, Ras Adabiya, and environs opposite Jebel ʿAtaqa. Because the Israelites were hemmed in “between Migdol and the sea, directly opposite Baal-zephon” (Exodus 14:2), the location was exposed, seemingly inescapable, and ideal for the Lord to demonstrate His supremacy.

Biblical Narrative Overview

1. Exodus 14:2 – God commands Moses: “Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you are to camp by the sea directly opposite Baal-zephon.”
2. Exodus 14:9 – Pharaoh’s chariots overtake Israel as they camp by the sea “beside Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon.”
3. Numbers 33:7 – The itinerary record repeats that the desert generation “camped near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon.”

Thus every mention of Baal-zephon occurs in the context of Israel’s deliverance through the parted waters.

Theological Significance

• Divine Supremacy over Idols: The place name invokes a pagan storm-god celebrated for control of sea and weather. By routing Pharaoh and opening the sea at that very spot, the LORD exposes Baal’s impotence and vindicates His exclusive sovereignty (Exodus 15:11).
• Judgment and Salvation: Baal-zephon becomes the stage where the Red Sea functions simultaneously as wall of salvation for Israel and agent of judgment upon Egypt (Exodus 14:22, 28).
• Faith Tested in Tight Spaces: The deliberate divine detour signals that apparent dead ends are occasions for God to “get glory over Pharaoh” (Exodus 14:17), encouraging believers to trust Him when circumstances appear impossible.

Historical and Archaeological Insights

In Ugaritic and Egyptian sources Baal Ṣapōn is patron of sailors and guardian of the north. A temple at Tell el-Farama (ancient Pelusium) and inscriptions from Pi-Bailos in the Nile Delta corroborate widespread veneration. The biblical narrative may allude to a border shrine marking Egypt’s frontier, a symbolic sentinel over which the LORD of hosts triumphs. No definitive excavation has fixed the exact site, yet surveys south of modern Ismailia and north of Suez continue to yield Late Bronze pottery, consistent with an Israelite encampment region.

Typological Connections

• Exodus–Crossing to New Covenant: Just as Baal-zephon frames the Exodus miracle, the New Testament frames salvation at the cross—another place where apparent defeat becomes decisive victory (Colossians 2:15).
• Waters of Judgment: The prophet Micah recalls, “He will again have compassion on us… You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19), echoing the Red Sea’s burial of Egypt’s forces near Baal-zephon, a type of baptismal cleansing (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).

Ministry Applications

1. Stand Firm: When surrounded by obstacles as Israel was at Baal-zephon, believers are called to “stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation” (Exodus 14:13).
2. Spiritual Warfare: The confrontation illustrates that idols and demonic strongholds fall before the revealed God. Prayer and proclamation must be confident in Christ’s finished work.
3. Remembrance and Worship: The Song of Moses (Exodus 15) originated from the victory at this site; congregations today likewise memorialize God’s past deliverances to fortify present faith.
4. Guidance in Detours: God sometimes leads through indirect routes (Numbers 33:7) to manifest His glory; pastoral counsel should encourage patience and obedience in such seasons.

Summary

Baal-zephon, remembered only three times yet pivotal to the Exodus, embodies a dramatic intersection of geography, idolatry, and redemptive history. The LORD’s triumph there assures every generation that no political power, no spiritual adversary, and no natural barrier can thwart His redeeming purposes.

צְפ֑וֹן צְפֹ֔ן צְפֹֽן׃ צפון צפן צפן׃ ṣə·p̄ō·wn ṣə·p̄ōn ṣəp̄ōn ṣəp̄ōwn tzeFonInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts