What is…
Tophel

also known as: Tofel

Hebrew: תֹּפֶל —transliteration: Tophel —meaning: lime —occurrences: 1

This is a place in the wilderness of Sinai (Deuteronomy 1:1). It is rich in natural springs, lime and other minerals.

A town called Tophel was built here by the Edomites, descendants of Esau.

The ancient capital of Edom, Bozrah (aka Busairah, Bussorah) in modern Jordan, is 14 miles (23km) south of Tophel.

Later in history, Tophel belong to the Nabateans, whose capital was at Petra.

Tophel is identified as the modern Tafilah (aka Tafila, Tafyleh, Tufileh, الطفيلة—Arabic) in the southwest of the Kingdom of Jordan, on the west side of the Edomite mountains. There are rich limestone and phosphate mines in this area.

There are also archaeological ruins (Edomite and Nabatean) and numberous natural springs, including the natural reservoir of Dana and 15 natural hot springs, including the Ma'in Hot Springs (aka Hammamat Ma'in), Afra and Burbeita. The water in the springs contains elements with healing properties, including sodium, calcium, chloride, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.

More information

• What is the Sinai, and what is its signficance?
• About wilderness in the Bible
• Who and what is Edom?
• What is a spring, and what springs are mentioned in the Bible?