כְּפִירָה (ke.phi.rah)
ke.phi.rah
Chephirah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Chephirah, derived from the Hebrew word for lioness, identifies a specific city in ancient Israel. Lexical sources define it as a location originally inhabited by the Hivites or associated with the Gibeonite confederation before being allocated to the tribe of Benjamin.
This place appears in four biblical verses, primarily within the narratives of Joshua and Nehemiah. In Joshua, its inclusion marks the territorial distribution following the conquest, while later references in Ezra and Nehemiah connect it to the post-exilic community returning from Babylon. The name itself evokes a sense of strength or wildness, contrasting with its eventual role as a settled town within the tribal boundaries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Chephirah appears in Scripture as a quiet town within the land of Israel. Its name suggests strength, yet its story is one of settlement and community. For readers today, this place reminds us that God’s promises include specific locations and people who lived ordinary lives under His care.
The text lists Chephirah among cities allocated to the tribe of Benjamin. Later records show families returning from exile to rebuild their lives there. This continuity shows how God preserves His people through generations, even when circumstances change dramatically.
When you read these names, consider the faithfulness required to maintain a home and identity in difficult times. The Bible honors such steady commitment. May you find encouragement in knowing that your own place in God’s story matters just as much.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ <the>/ Kephirah2×
- Kephirah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּפִירָ֣ה2×
- וְ/הַ/כְּפִירָ֖ה1×
- וְ/הַ/כְּפִירָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 9:17
The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
This verse identifies Chephirah as one of the Gibeonite cities spared by Israel, highlighting a moment of covenant faithfulness.
-
Joshua 18:26
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,
Here Chephirah is listed within the specific territorial boundaries assigned to the tribe of Benjamin.
-
Ezra 2:25
The children of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.
The returnees from Babylon included seventy-four-three men from this town, showing its continued importance in post-exilic Israel.