עוֹפַי (o.phay)
o.phay
Ephai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name ‘Ophay appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Jeremiah 40:8. It identifies a man from Netophah whose sons served as military leaders among the remnant left in Judah after the Babylonian deportation. The text describes him as Ephai, a variant spelling that some sources link to a root meaning "gloomy" or "weary," though this etymological connection remains speculative.
As a proper noun with such sparse attestation, the word carries no broader theological weight or semantic range beyond its historical function. It serves as a marker of continuity, reminding readers that even in times of national collapse, local leadership structures persisted. The name itself offers little insight into character or destiny, functioning instead as a factual identifier within the narrative of survival.
Translators typically render it simply as "Ephai" or "'Ophay," reflecting the textual variant between the Kethib and Qere. Its rarity makes it a footnote in biblical onomastics rather than a theme for reflection, anchoring the story of Gedaliah’s administration in specific, human terms.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ephai appears in a moment of profound uncertainty for ancient Judah. After the fall of Jerusalem, a small group of people gathered under Gedaliah’s leadership at Mizpah. Among them were the sons of Ephai the Netophathite. This brief mention reminds us that even when nations crumble, God preserves individuals and families to carry on.
Ephai himself is not a central character in the biblical narrative. He is listed among other leaders who sought stability after disaster. His presence shows that ordinary people played vital roles in restoring community life. We see that God’s care extends to those whose names are rarely spoken, yet who faithfully served their communities.
This passage invites us to trust that God sees and values every person involved in rebuilding. Whether your role is public or private, your faithfulness matters to Him. In times of change or loss, remember that you are part of a larger story where God continues to work through ordinary people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ephai1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֵיפַ֣י1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 40:8
then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men came to Gedaliah to Mizpah.
This verse lists Ephai’s sons among the military leaders who joined Gedaliah, showing that local families maintained leadership roles during the post-exilic restoration.