Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(watch tower). (1) Jacob’s covenant heap (Gen. 31:47-49). (2) Mizpeh-moab (1 Sam. 22:3). (3) Hivite section in northern Palestine (Josh. 11:3-8). (4) A city in Judah (Josh. 15:38). (5) A city of Benjamin (Josh. 18:26; 1 Sam. 10:17-21; 1 Kings 15:22).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
1. The place where Jacob and Laban parted, after making a covenant and raising a heap of stones as a witness of the covenant and as a landmark between them. It was on the east of the Jordan, somewhere in Gilead (Gen. 31:49; Judg. 10:17; Judg. 11:11,29,34). It is probably the place mentioned in Judges 20:1, 3; Judges 21:1,5,8. Some suppose it to be identical with RAMATH-MIZPEH in Joshua 13:26; and this to be the same as RAMOTH-GILEAD. Others judge these to be all different places and that No. 1 is identified with Sul, 32° 18' N, 35° 50' E.
2. LAND OF MIZPEH, the resort of the Hivites, who joined with Jabin to attack Joshua. It was “under Hermon,” and therefore in the north of Palestine (Joshua 11:3); this is possibly the same as
3. VALLEY OF MIZPEH, to which Joshua chased the allies (Josh. 11:8). Probably the extensive valley on the east of Mount Lebanon.
4. Town in the lowlands of Judah (Josh. 15:38). Not identified.
5. City of Moab, where David placed his parents for safety (1 Sam. 22:3). Not identified.
6. City of Benjamin, in the vicinity of Ramah and Gibeon (Josh. 18:26). It was the city to which Samuel gathered the people, as “to the Lord,” and where he judged Israel, and where also he presented Saul to them as their king (1 Sam. 7:5-16; 1 Sam. 10:17). The city was rebuilt by Asa king of Judah, and, after the destruction of Jerusalem, Gedaliah the governor established himself there (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Kings 25:23,25; 2 Chron. 16:6; Jer. 40:6-15; Jer. 41:1-16; Hos. 5:1). Probably the same place is alluded to in Nehemiah 3:7,15,19. Identified by some with Neby Samwil, 31° 50' N, 35° 10' E.
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
watch-tower