Lexical Summary Siphmoth or Shiphamoth: Siphmoth Original Word: שִׂפְמוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Siphmoth Feminine plural of Shpham; Siphmoth, a place in Palestine -- Siphmoth. see HEBREW Shpham NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a place in S. Judah NASB Translation Siphmoth (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׁפֲמוֺת (so Baer with Manuscripts and editions; Thes ׳שִׁפְ; van d. H. Gi ׳שִׂפְ); — proper name, of a location in Negab 1 Samuel 30:28; Σαφει; A Σαφαμως, ᵐ5L Σεφειμωθ. Topical Lexicon Name and Location Siphmoth appears once in the Old Testament, within David’s catalog of towns that received gifts from the Amalekite spoil (1 Samuel 30:28). While its exact site has not yet been confirmed, the surrounding names in the list place it in the Negev or southern hill country of Judah—terrain characterized by pastureland, wadis, and caravan routes. Several scholars associate it with settlements near the Wadi Besor, where David’s men pursued the Amalekites, but no excavation has yielded an unequivocal identification. Biblical Context After the Amalekites raided Ziklag and carried off captives, David’s forces recovered every person and possession (1 Samuel 30:18–19). From the recovered spoil he sent “some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, ‘Here is a gift for you from the spoil of the LORD’s enemies’” (1 Samuel 30:26). Siphmoth is named among those recipient towns (1 Samuel 30:28). The list follows a south-to-north progression, hinting that Siphmoth lay between Aroer and Eshtemoa, perhaps serving as a small agrarian or shepherding community. The text presents the town as one of many Judean settlements that had quietly supported David during his fugitive years. Historical Significance 1. Political Bridge-building: By sharing the Amalekite plunder, David honored pre-existing relationships and cemented loyalty among Judah’s elders. Siphmoth’s inclusion illustrates how even modest outposts factored into the broader network that eventually propelled David to the throne (2 Samuel 2:4). Theological Themes • Stewardship and Generosity: David attributed the victory and the spoil to “the LORD” (1 Samuel 30:23), then distributed it broadly. Siphmoth’s receipt of these gifts demonstrates that divine provision is intended to bless the wider covenant community, not merely the frontline warriors. Ministry Lessons 1. Remember the Marginalized: Siphmoth was likely obscure, yet David’s generosity reached it. Contemporary ministry should likewise extend resources beyond prominent centers. Archaeological and Topographical Notes Though unlocated, proposals range from Khirbet es-Samaʿ to sites near modern Yatta. Pottery surveys in these regions reveal continuous Iron Age occupation, confirming that small fortified villages dotted the Negev during Saul’s and David’s lifetimes. Continued exploration may yet uncover an inscription that ties a site definitively to Siphmoth. Related Biblical Cross-References • David’s distribution of spoil: 1 Samuel 30:21–31 Summary Although mentioned only once, Siphmoth offers a window into David’s strategic generosity, the interwoven life of southern Judah’s settlements, and the biblical principle that God treasures and rewards every act of covenant loyalty, however unnoticed by history. Forms and Transliterations בְּשִֽׂפְמ֖וֹת בשפמות bə·śip̄·mō·wṯ besifMot bəśip̄mōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 30:28 HEB: בַּעֲרֹעֵ֛ר וְלַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּשִֽׂפְמ֖וֹת וְלַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּאֶשְׁתְּמֹֽעַ׃ NAS: and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who KJV: And to [them] which [were] in Aroer, and to [them] which [were] in Siphmoth, and to [them] which [were] in Eshtemoa, INT: Aroer who Siphmoth who Eshtemoa 1 Occurrence |
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