נֶפְתּוֹחַ (neph.to.ach)
neph.to.ach
Nephtoah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Nephtoah, meaning “opening,” refers to a specific spring or source of water situated on the border between the tribal territories of Judah and Benjamin. Its name likely describes the physical nature of the site, where water emerges from the ground in an open fashion.
This location appears only twice in Scripture, both within the book of Joshua as part of the detailed boundary descriptions for these tribes (Joshua 15:60; 18:15). The text places it northwest of Jerusalem, marking a precise geographical point in the ancient division of the land. The brevity of its mention highlights how even small, local landmarks played a role in defining the inheritance of God’s people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nephtoah means "opening" or "source," describing a place where water emerges from the ground. In Joshua, this spring marks the boundary between Judah and Benjamin. It is a small detail in a long list of borders, yet it shows how God cares about specific places and people.
For your faith, this reminds us that God’s provision is often found in everyday sources. Just as water came from an opening in the earth, spiritual life comes from God’s steady supply. You do not need to seek distant or dramatic signs; His grace is available right where you are.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Nephtoah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֶפְתּֽוֹחַ\׃1×
- נֶפְתּ֔וֹחַ1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 15:9
The border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended to Baalah (also called Kiriath Jearim);
This verse places the spring at the edge of Judah’s territory, showing how water sources defined tribal borders.
-
Joshua 18:15
The south quarter was from the farthest part of Kiriath Jearim. The border went out westward, and went out to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.
Here the same spring marks Benjamin’s southern limit, highlighting its role as a shared landmark between two tribes.