zophim Summary and Overview

(watchers), The field of, a spot on or near the top of Pisgah, from which Balaam had his second view of the encampment of Israel. #Nu 23:14| The position of the field of Zophim is not defined. Possibly it is the same place which later in the history is mentioned as Mizpah-moab.

ZO'PHIM (watchers). The field of Zophim was the place on the "top of Pisgah" to which Balak brought Balaam that the false prophet might see the camp of Israel. Num 23:14. Grove says that if the word rendered "field" be taken in its usual sense, then the "field of Zophim" was a cultivated spot high up on the top of Pisgah. The position of the field must of course depend upon the site assigned for Pisgah. If Jebel Siaghah be Pisgah, as supposed by Paine (but not confirmed), then Zophim, or "the top of Pisgah," was the third summit of Siaghah, running westward from Nebo, which is a little higher than the others and appears to look down upon them. See Pisgah.

field of. Near the top of Pisgah, from which Balaam had his second view of Israel's encampment (Numbers 23:14); it was N. of his former station and nearer Israel. It means "watchers." A tableland on the Abarim or Nebo range, where watchers in times of danger looked out for the foe, or else augurs watched for omens. Grove suggests its identity with Mizpah Moab. Porter, identifying Attarus with Pisgah, says a fertile plain, namely, Zophim field, surrounds the ruins of Main at the mountain's foot