SEPHAR sĕ’ fər (סְפָר֮, H6223, numbering, post-Biblical Heb. border country, but is prob. a non-Heb. proper name of unknown meaning). The lands of Joktan are defined as extending from Mesha, “as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the E” (Gen 10:30; writer’s tr.). If “as you go toward Sephar” merely defines the direction in which Joktan’s lands extended (cf. “in the direction of Gerar,” Gen 10:19), identification with Mt. Shepher (Num 33:23) is possible though unlikely. Since the two related sites with plausible identifications (i.e., Hazarmaveth and Sheba; q.v.) are in S Arabia, Arabian sites are usually suggested, for example Zafār in S Arabia or Safãri in Bahrain. Alternatively, the tr. “border country” has been suggested.

Bibliography “Sephar,” IDB (1962).