Lexical Summary Mophaath or Mephaath or Mephaath: Mephaath Original Word: מוֹפַעַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mephaath (Jer. 48:21 or meyphaath {may-fah'-ath}; or mephaath {may-fah'-ath; from yapha'; illuminative; Mophaath or Mephaath, a place in Palestine -- Mephaath. see HEBREW yapha' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yapha Definition a Levitical city in Reuben NASB Translation Mephaath (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֵיפַ֫עַת proper name, of a location (Sabean proper name, of a location מיפע, מיפעת DHMZMG 1876, 679; 1883, 362) — 1 Chronicles 6:64 Levitical city in Reuben; in Reuben מֵפָ֑עַת Joshua 13:18; מֵו֯פָ֑עַת Jeremiah 48:21 in Moab. יֶ֫פֶת see below פתה. יִפְתָּח, יִפְתַּחאֵֿל see below פתח. מופעת Kt, see מיפעת below יפע. מוֺפֵתsee אפת. מוץ (√ of following, meaning unknown). Topical Lexicon Geographical Context Mephaath lay on the eastern side of the Dead Sea in the plateau region called “the Arabah” or “the plain” (Hebrew mishor). The site guarded one of the approaches up from the Jordan Valley to the elevated grazing lands of Moab and Gilead, sitting at roughly 900 m above sea level. Several explorers have identified it with Khirbet el-Mfâʿ or nearby Khirbet el-Maʿfā, locations marked by Iron Age walls, cisterns, and tombs. Its position on a caravan route between Heshbon and Dibon made it strategically significant for both military defense and commerce. Biblical Occurrences 1. Joshua 13:18 records Mephaath among the Trans-Jordanian towns allotted to the tribe of Reuben after Israel defeated Sihon king of the Amorites. Tribal Allocation and Levitical Significance Although Mephaath originally fell within Reuben’s inheritance, it quickly became a Levitical center. The Merarites were responsible for transporting and maintaining the heavier structural components of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:29-33). Having a city like Mephaath on the trade route into Moab gave these Levites access to pasture for cattle needed in sacrificial service and proximity to Israelite and Gentile travelers who required teaching in the Law. The city thus served as a hub where worship, instruction, and hospitality intersected, illustrating the priesthood’s mandate to bless all nations (Genesis 12:3; Deuteronomy 33:10). Historical Shifts Between the settlement period and the time of Jeremiah, Moab regained control of Mephaath. The change of hands likely occurred during Israel’s spiritual decline under the later kings, when the Trans-Jordan tribes became vulnerable to surrounding nations. Jeremiah’s oracle (Jeremiah 48) treats the loss as an accomplished fact, proving both the literal fulfillment of covenant curses (Leviticus 26:33) and the prophetic accuracy of Scripture. Archeological strata at the proposed site reveal Moabite occupation layers from the late Iron Age, supporting the biblical chronology. Prophetic Implications Mephaath’s inclusion in Jeremiah 48 underscores God’s universal sovereignty. The same city once consecrated for Levitical ministry became a target of judgment because of Moab’s pride and idolatry: “Moab has been at ease from youth… therefore his taste has remained, and his aroma is unchanged” (Jeremiah 48:11). The prophetic word demonstrates that covenant privilege never excuses sin, and geographic proximity to sacred space does not guarantee protection apart from covenant loyalty. Archaeological and Historical Considerations • Surface pottery at Khirbet el-Mfâʿ includes Late Bronze and Iron II wares, matching the biblical timeline. Ministry Lessons for the Contemporary Church 1. Stewardship of Sacred Trusts: Like the Levites of Mephaath, believers are custodians of divine truth. Location and resources are granted for service, not self-indulgence (1 Peter 4:10-11). Summary Mephaath functioned as a Levitical stronghold east of the Jordan, embodying the integration of worship, instruction, and pastoral livelihood. Its history—allocation to Reuben, dedication to the Merarites, loss to Moab, and mention in prophetic judgment—illustrates both the privileges and responsibilities attached to sacred service and affirms the unerring reliability of the biblical record. Forms and Transliterations וּמֵפָֽעַת׃ ומפעת׃ מֵיפַ֖עַת מֵיפָ֖עַת מֵיפָֽעַת׃ מיפעת מיפעת׃ mê·p̄a·‘aṯ mê·p̄ā·‘aṯ meiFaat mêp̄a‘aṯ mêp̄ā‘aṯ ū·mê·p̄ā·‘aṯ umeFaat ūmêp̄ā‘aṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 13:18 HEB: וְיַ֥הְצָה וּקְדֵמֹ֖ת וּמֵפָֽעַת׃ NAS: and Jahaz and Kedemoth and Mephaath, KJV: and Kedemoth, and Mephaath, INT: and Jahaz and Kedemoth and Mephaath Joshua 21:37 1 Chronicles 6:79 Jeremiah 48:21 4 Occurrences |
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