נָפִישׁ (na.phish)
na.phish
Naphish
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Naphish (נָפִישׁ) appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, identifying a son of Ishmael and the eponymous ancestor of an Arabian tribe. First listed among Ishmael’s descendants in Genesis 25:15, he is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 1:30 as part of the genealogical record that traces the lineage of Abraham’s other son.
Lexical sources associate the name with the meaning "refreshment" or "rest," likely reflecting a characteristic blessing or description of the people who bore it. As one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, Naphish represents the expansion of Abraham’s family into the Arabian peninsula, illustrating the breadth of the patriarchal narrative beyond the line of Isaac.
Though the text provides no personal story for Naphish himself, his inclusion in these lists serves a structural purpose: it documents the fulfillment of God’s promise to Ishmael that he would become a great nation (Genesis 17:20). The name anchors a specific branch of this lineage within the broader historical framework of the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Naphish appears in Scripture as a son of Ishmael, linking him to the broader family tree of Abraham. While he does not have a personal narrative story, his inclusion in these genealogies highlights how God’s promises extend beyond a single line. The meaning often associated with his name suggests refreshment or rest, reminding us that God provides for all His children, even those outside the primary covenant line.
These records show that God is faithful to His word. He promised Ishmael he would become a great nation, and the Bible documents this expansion through names like Naphish. For readers today, this offers comfort: God sees every person and keeps His commitments. It encourages trust in His timing and care for all families.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Naphish2×
- and/ Naphish1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נָפִ֖ישׁ2×
- וְ/נָפִ֖ישׁ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 25:15
Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
This verse lists Naphish among Ishmael’s sons, showing his place in the fulfillment of God's promise that Ishmael would become a great nation.
-
I Chronicles 1:31
Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
Here the name reappears in a later genealogy, confirming the historical record of Ishmael’s descendants and the stability of God's covenant promises.
-
I Chronicles 5:19
They made war with the Hagrites, with Jetur, and Naphish, and Nodab.
This occurrence identifies Naphish not just as an ancestor but as part of a living tribe that engaged in conflicts, showing the real-world impact of these lineages.