Zaphon
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]
ZAPHON (‘north’). A city E. of Jordan, assigned to Gad ( Joshua 13:27 ). It is named also in Judges 12:1 , where Zaphônah should be rendered ‘to Zaphon’ (RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ) instead of ‘northward’ (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] ). Possibly the Talmudic tradition is correct which identifies Zaphon with Amathus, the modero ‘Amâteh , a little north of the Jabbok, at the mouth of Wâdy er-Rugeib . Zaphon is probably connected with Ziphion ( Genesis 46:16 ), or (more correctly) ZÄ•phon . with gentilic name Zephonites ( Numbers 26:13 ), described as a ‘son’ of Gad.
Holman Bible Dictionary [2]
Joshua 13:27 Numbers 32:35 Psalm 48:2 Isaiah 14:13 Job 26:7
Smith's Bible Dictionary [3]
Za'phon. (North). A place mentioned in the enumeration of the allotment of the tribe of Gad. Joshua 13:27.
Morrish Bible Dictionary [4]
City in Gad. Joshua 13:27 . Identified with ruins at el Hammeh, 32 42' N, 35 40' E .
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [5]
(Heb. Tsaphon', צָפוֹן , North, as often; Sept.' Σαφών v.r. Σαφάν ; Vulg. Saphon ) , the name of a place mentioned (in connection with Beth-aram, Bethnimrah, and Succoth) in the enumeration of the allotment of the tribe of Gad ( Joshua 13:27). It is one of the places in "the valley" (i.e. of the Jordan), which appear to have constituted the "remainder ( יֶתֶר ) of the kingdom of Sihon" apparently referring to the portion of the same kingdom previously allotted to Reuben ( Joshua 13:17-21). The enumeration appears to proceed from south to north, and from the mention of the Sea of Chinneroth it is natural to infer that Zaphon was near that lake. The Talmud (Gemara Jerus. Shebiith, 6) identifies it with the ancient Amathus (q.v.), the remains of which are still called Amateh on Wady Rejib (Schwarz, Palest. p. 232), and this position is not an improbable one.
In Judges 12:1 the word rendered "northward" ( Tsaphonah ) may with equal accuracy be rendered "to Zaphon." This rendering is supported by the Alexandrian copy of the Sept. ( Κεφεινά ) and a host of other MSS., and it has consistency on its side, since the Ephraimites were marching eastward rather than northward. (See Jephthah).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [6]
zā´fon ( צפון , cāphōn ; Codex Vaticanus Σαφάν , Saphán ; Codex Alexandrinus Σαφών , Saphṓn ): A city on the East of the Jordan in the territory of Gad ( Joshua 13:27 ). It is named again in Judges 12:1 as the place where the elders of Gilead gathered to meet with Jephthah ( cāphōnāh should be translated "to Zaphon," not "northward"). It must have lain well to the North of Gad. According to the Talmud Amathus represented Zaphon (Neubauer, Geog. du Talmud , 249). Here sat one of the Synedria created by Gabinius ( Ant. , Xiv , v, 4). It was a position of great strength ( BJ , I, iv, 2). Eusebius, Onomasticon places it 21 Roman miles S. of Pella. This is the modern Tell 'Amāteh , on the south bank of Wâdy er - Rujeib , 15 miles South of Pella, and nearly 5 miles North of the Jabbok. Buhl ( GAP , 259) objects to the identification that Tell 'Amāteh corresponds to the Asophon of Josephus ( Ant. , Xiii , xii, 5). But this objection does not seem well founded.
