יַפְלֵטִי (yaph.le.ti)

yaph.le.ti

Japhletite

H3311 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1 verses

N:N--PG

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 1 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N--PG

Word Overview

The word yaphleti is a gentilic adjective meaning "belonging to the family of Japhlet." It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Joshua 16:3, where it identifies a specific clan within the tribal allotment of Ephraim. This group descended from Japhlet, a son of Heber and a member of the tribe of Asher, whose descendants settled on the southwestern border of Ephraim.

The name Japhlet itself carries the sense of "let him escape," likely reflecting a family tradition or historical memory of deliverance. By attaching the suffix -i to the name, the text distinguishes this particular lineage from other members of Asher, marking them as a distinct branch with their own territorial identity in the early settlement period.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

Joshua 16:3 records a boundary line for the tribe of Ephraim, marking the border with the Japhletites. This small clan descended from Asher but settled within Ephraim’s territory, showing how God’s people intermingled and shared land during the conquest. The name means “let him escape,” hinting at a family story of deliverance.

For your faith, this reminds us that God uses ordinary families to shape His plans. Even minor clans play a role in His promise. When you read these names, remember that every person matters to Him. Your life, too, is part of His larger story of rescue and belonging.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

the/ Japhletite[s]1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

הַ/יַּפְלֵטִ֗י1×

Key Verses

Joshua 16:3
and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, and on to Gezer; and ended at the sea.

This verse identifies the Japhletites as a border marker for Ephraim’s territory, showing their specific role in the tribal allotment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Japhletite mean?

The name comes from Japhlet, meaning “let him escape.” It likely reflects a family tradition of deliverance or rescue. The suffix -i marks them as a distinct clan within the larger tribal structure.

Why are the Japhletites mentioned in Joshua?

They appear in Joshua 16:3 to define the western border of Ephraim’s land. Though they descended from Asher, they settled in Ephraim, showing how families moved and shared territory during Israel’s settlement.

What can I learn from this small clan?

Even minor groups like the Japhletites had a place in God’s plan. Their story shows that every family matters in Scripture. You can trust that God sees and values your role in His work, no matter how small it seems.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Joshua 1 verse

Joshua 16:3

and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, and on to Gezer; and…