SHAPHIR shā’ fər (שָׁפִ֖יר, beautiful, pleasant; LXX Καλῶς; KJV SAPHIR). A geographic area, prob. a town, against which Micah prophesied (Mic 1:11). Past attempts at identification have been limited to looking for a site in Philistine territory perhaps because of the association with Gath (v. 10). Tell es-Sawāfir frequently has been suggested for several reasons: etymological similarity between the two names; suitable location in Philistine territory some four m. SE of Ashdod; and compatibility with the location of Saphir of Jerome. More recently some have felt that the context demands a Judean site and have suggested Khirbet el-Kōm W of Hebron. This site is on Wadi es-Saffar which, it is suggested, preserves the Biblical name.

Bibliography “Shaphir,” IDB (1962).