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Zophai

biblical_person theological_term standard

Zophai is an obscure Old Testament personal name listed in the genealogy of the tribe of Asher.

At a Glance

A little-known biblical personal name in the Old Testament genealogies.

Key Points

Description

Zophai is an obscure Old Testament personal name listed in a genealogy associated with the tribe of Asher. Scripture does not supply a narrative account, family history, or theological teaching beyond the name’s place in the genealogical record. For that reason, Zophai belongs in a Bible dictionary as a proper-name entry, not as a theological concept. Its primary value is as part of the inspired preservation of Israel’s tribal records and covenant history.

Biblical Context

Old Testament genealogies often preserve family lines, tribal identity, and covenant continuity. Zophai appears in that setting as part of the Asherite lineage record.

Historical Context

Ancient genealogies commonly served to preserve inheritance, clan identity, and social memory. In Scripture, such records also testify to the historical rootedness of Israel’s tribes.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Within ancient Israel, genealogies were important for tracing tribal belonging and family continuity. Even obscure names contributed to the preservation of covenant identity and inherited memory.

Primary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The name is a transliterated Old Testament personal name. The English spelling follows the biblical text tradition represented here.

Theological Significance

Zophai has no developed doctrinal significance in Scripture, but his inclusion in the genealogical record reflects the historical reliability and completeness of the biblical witness.

Philosophical Explanation

This entry illustrates how Scripture preserves both major figures and lesser-known names within a coherent historical framework. The value lies not in philosophical content about the person, but in the textual and covenantal preservation of the record.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrine or biography from this name alone. The biblical text gives only a genealogical mention, so any expanded claims would be speculative.

Major Views

There are no major interpretive views to distinguish here; the entry is simply a brief genealogical mention.

Doctrinal Boundaries

No doctrine should be derived from Zophai as a person. The entry should remain limited to the biblical record of the name and its genealogical context.

Practical Significance

Obscure biblical names remind readers that God preserves ordinary people as part of his redemptive history, even when Scripture gives only a brief mention.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Zophai

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