עׇפְנִי (oph.ni)
oph.ni
Ophni
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Ophni identifies a specific town in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. In the Old Testament, it appears only once, listed among the cities captured or assigned during the distribution of the land under Joshua (Joshua 18:24). The meaning of the name itself is often understood to be "mouldy" or "musty," a rather unusual descriptor for a settlement.
Geographically, this location sits about two and a half miles northwest of Bethel. Many scholars associate it with the modern village of Jifna, which preserves a similar phonetic root. While the name might seem unglamorous, its inclusion in the biblical record highlights the thoroughness of the tribal allotments, ensuring even smaller or less prominent communities were accounted for in the historical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ophni appears in a simple list within Joshua 18:24, grouped with Chephar Ammoni and Geba as part of the tribal inheritance for Benjamin. The word itself carries a meaning often translated as "mouldy" or "musty," which might seem like an odd choice for a place name today. Yet its presence in Scripture reminds us that God’s promises extend to every corner of the land, no matter how small or unassuming the location may appear.
For your faith, this detail highlights the thoroughness of God’s provision. He did not overlook even the least prominent towns when distributing the inheritance. This encourages us to trust that He sees and values every part of our lives, including those areas we might consider ordinary or hidden. The biblical record preserves these names not for their glamour, but because they are part of His faithful history with His people.
When you read this verse, remember that God’s care is comprehensive. Just as Ophni was accounted for in the ancient allotment, your own place in His plan is secure and known to Him. This historical detail offers a quiet assurance that nothing is too small for His attention or purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ <the>/ Ophni1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הָֽ/עָפְנִ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 18:24
Chephar Ammoni, Ophni, and Geba; twelve cities with their villages.
This verse explicitly lists Ophni among the twelve cities assigned to Benjamin, confirming its role in the territorial distribution.