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(Heb. Tsephath', öְôִú , watch-tower; Sept. ÓåöÝè v.r. ÓåöÝê .' and ÓåöÝñ ; Vulg. Sephaath), the earlier name (according to the notice of Judges 1, 17) of a Canaanitish town, which after its capture and destruction was called by the Israelites HORMAH SEE HORMAH (q.v.). According to rabbi Schwarz (Palest. p. 186), it is like-wise mentioned in the Jerus. Talmud (Rosh hash-Shanah, ch. 2). SEE ZIPH. Two identifications have been proposed for Zephath-that of Dr. Robinson with the well-known pass es- Sufd, by which the ascent is made from the borders of the Arabah to the higher level of the “south country” (Bibl. Res. 2, 181), and that of Mr. Rowlands (Williams, Holy City, 1, 464) with Sebata, two, and a half hours beyond Khalasa, on the road to Suez, and a quarter of an hour north of Rohebeh, or Ruheibeh. SEE ZEPHATHAH.
1. The former of these Mr. Wilton (The Negeb, etc., p. 199, 200) has challenged, on account of the impracticability of the pass for the approach of the Israelites, and the inappropriateness of so rugged and desolate a spot for the position of a city of any importance. The question really forms part of a much larger one, which this is not the place to discuss — viz. the route by which the Israelites approached the Holy Land. SEE EXODE. But, in the meantime, it should not be overlooked that the attempt of the Israelites in question was an unsuccessful one which is so far in favor of the steepness of the pass. It should also be borne in mind that both in ancient and modern times the difficult passes have in many cases been the chief thoroughfares in Palestine, and this one in particular has remained such to the present day. The argument from the nature of the site is one which might be brought with equal force against the existence of many others of the towns in this region.
2. On the identification of Mr. Rowlands some doubt has been thrown by the want of certainty as to the name and exact locality. Dr. Stewart (Tent and Khan, p. 205) heard of the name, but east of Khalasa instead of south, and this was in answer to a leading question always a dangerous experiment with Arabs. The English engineers of the Ordnance Survey, however, found Sebaita in the vicinity indicated; namely, about fifteen, miles south of Khalasah. Prof. Palmer gives a full description of the extensive ruins of the place (Desert of the Exodus, p. 315 sq.), and a plan of the town, with other details, may be found in the Quarterly. Statement of the “Palestine Explor. Fund,” Jan. 1871, p. 3-73. Preferring, as we decidedly do, the location of Kadesh-barnea, on the edge of the Arabah, we should decide against the claims of this spot to be the Zephath of Scripture, notwithstanding the agreement in name and remains. SEE KADESH.