נְפִישְׁסִים, נפיסים (ne.phush.sim)
ne.phush.sim
Nephushesim
N:N--TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--T
Word Overview
The term nephushesim identifies a specific family among the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel’s leadership. This rare Hebrew word appears only once in the biblical text, recorded in Nehemiah 7:52 as part of the genealogical lists that document the restoration community.
Etymological analysis suggests the name translates roughly to "refreshed by spices" or "refreshed with aromatics." While the precise historical context of this nickname remains unclear, it likely served as a distinctive identifier for this household within the larger group of returnees. The textual tradition presents slight variations in spelling, including nephisim and nephusim, reflecting minor scribal differences in how the name was preserved.
Its solitary occurrence underscores the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, which valued individual family lines even among those who were not prominent leaders. By preserving this name, the text affirms the significance of every household in the post-exilic community, regardless of whether its members held public office or achieved widespread fame.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nephushesim appears in Nehemiah 7:52 as part of the list of families returning from exile. The Hebrew word suggests a meaning related to refreshment or pleasant aromatics, perhaps pointing to a family known for hospitality or a specific trade involving spices.
This single mention reminds us that God cares about every individual and family in His people. Even those without famous titles or leadership roles are recorded with care. Your place in God’s story is just as significant, whether your name is widely known or kept private.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Nephissim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְפִֽישְׁסִֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 7:52
the children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephushesim,
This verse lists the Nephushesim among the returning exiles, showing that every family line was carefully documented in the restoration community.