נֶ֫פֶת (ne.phet)
ne.phet
Naphath
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun naphat means “height” or an elevated place. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, most notably in Joshua 17:11 where it describes a highland area belonging to the tribe of Manasseh.
Its usage is straightforward, referring to physical elevation rather than abstract concepts. In Kings 16:24 and 2 Chronicles 18:3, it serves as part of a proper name for a location, often identified with Dor or its surrounding heights. The word highlights the geographical reality of ancient Israel, where control of high ground was significant.
Translators consistently render it as “height” or include it in place names like Naphath-dor. Its rarity makes each occurrence notable, anchoring specific territorial descriptions in the biblical narrative without adding theological complexity beyond its literal sense.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word naphat simply means a high place or elevation. In the ancient landscape of Israel, these heights were not just scenic spots but vital for defense and agriculture. When you read about tribes settling in these areas, it reminds us that God provided specific, tangible lands for His people to call home.
Though this word appears only three times, it grounds the biblical narrative in real geography. It shows that the promises made to Abraham were fulfilled in actual soil and stone. The tribe of Manasseh received these highlands, illustrating how divine provision often meets human need in concrete ways.
Reflecting on these details can deepen your appreciation for the historical reliability of Scripture. It invites you to see God’s faithfulness not just in grand miracles but in the steady ordering of land and community. This attention to detail encourages trust in a God who cares about the specifics of our lives too.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of/ Naphath of1×
- Naphath of1×
- <the>/ Napheth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נָ֣פַת1×
- לְ/נָפַ֥ת1×
- הַ/נָּֽפֶת\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 17:11
Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns.
This verse lists naphat as part of the territorial inheritance for Manasseh, showing how high ground was allocated among the tribes.
-
I Kings 4:11
Ben Abinadab, in all the height of Dor (he had Taphath, Solomon’s daughter, as wife);
Here the term appears in a proper name linked to Solomon’s administration, highlighting its use in official records of governance.
-
Joshua 12:23
the king of Dor in the height of Dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one;
This occurrence identifies a defeated king associated with the height of Dor, anchoring the historical conquest narrative in specific locations.