Bible Dictionary
Shophan
Shophan was a fortified town east of the Jordan assigned to Gad. The name probably forms part of the compound Atroth-shophan.
Definition
Shophan was a fortified town east of the Jordan assigned to the tribe of Gad. The name is probably joined with the preceding name in Numbers 32:35 to form the compound Atroth-shophan.
Biblical Usage
Shophan is listed among the towns taken possession of and rebuilt by the Gadites.
Historical Background
The supplied material gives possible meanings including “hidden,” “hollow,” or “bareness,” but does not establish a single interpretation.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hidden, or hollow, a town east of Jordan (Num. 32:35), built by the children of Gad. This word should probably be joined with the word preceding it in this passage, Atroth-Shophan, as in the Revised Version.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(bareness), one of the fortified towns on the east of Jordan which were taken possession of and rebuilt by the tribe of Gad. (Numbers 32:35)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sho'-fan (shophan).</p><p>See ATROTH-SHOPHAN.</p>