Lexical Summary Netophathi: Netophathite Original Word: נְטֹפָתִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Netophathite Patronymic from Ntophah; a Netophathite, or inhabitant of Netophah -- Netophathite. see HEBREW Ntophah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Netophah Definition inhab. of Netophah NASB Translation Netophathite (8), Netophathites (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְטֹפָתִי, נְטוֺפָתִי adjective, of a people; — ׳נְטֹפ 2 Samuel 23:28 5t., ׳נְטוֺפ 1 Chronicles 2:54 4t. Chronicles; — ׳הַנּ the Netophathite 2 Samuel 23:28,29; 2 Kings 25:23 = Jeremiah 40:8; 1 Chronicles 11:30 (twice in verse); singular collective (the) Netophathites (no article) 1 Chronicles 2:54; 1 Chronicles 9:16; Nehemiah 12:28. Topical Lexicon Geographical SettingNetophah was a small Judean village situated near Bethlehem and close to the border of Benjamin. Its elevated terrain overlooked the main north–south route linking Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem, giving strategic importance disproportionate to its size. Because Scripture never lists Netophah among the fortified towns of Judah, its influence derived more from the covenant faithfulness of its people than from walls or battlements. Tribal and Genealogical Roots 1 Chronicles 2:54 traces the Netophathites to the family of Salma of the tribe of Judah: “The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites…”. This link to Judah aligns the village with the messianic line and situates its inhabitants in the heartland of Davidic heritage. Yet their settlements also lay close enough to the tribal lands of Benjamin to foster mixed associations, as later history shows. Warriors of David In David’s reign the Netophathites produced two of the renowned “Thirty”: • 2 Samuel 23:28–29 names “Maharai the Netophathite” and “Heleb son of Baanah the Netophathite.” These men fought shoulder-to-shoulder with warriors from every region of Israel, demonstrating that devotion to the king after God’s own heart transcended local origins. Their presence among the elite also suggests that Netophah’s proximity to Bethlehem fostered early loyalty to David during his wilderness years. Command Leadership in the Standing Army David later organized a national militia of twenty-four-thousand-man divisions (1 Chronicles 27). Two Netophathites commanded these monthly rotations: • Maharai led the tenth division (1 Chronicles 27:13). Thus, men from a modest village were entrusted with national defense, embodying the biblical principle that faithfulness, not pedigree, qualifies for leadership (compare 1 Samuel 16:7). Levitical Support for Temple Worship Post-exilic lists show Levites living “in the villages of the Netophathites” (1 Chronicles 9:16). Nehemiah 12:28 adds that singers at the wall dedication “gathered … from the villages of the Netophathites.” Their hospitality enabled the song-leaders of Israel to reside outside Jerusalem while remaining near enough for regular service. The arrangement parallels the Levitical cities allotted in Joshua 21 and highlights Netophah’s ongoing contribution to worship long after David’s era. Faithfulness amid National Collapse When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, two Netophathite clan leaders surfaced as free-roaming captains who accepted the authority of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar: • 2 Kings 25:23 mentions “Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite.” Their decision to submit to lawful Judean governance rather than perpetuate rebellion reflected a desire to preserve the remnant in the land, echoing Jeremiah’s prophetic counsel (Jeremiah 29:4–7). Unfortunately, the governor’s assassination by Ishmael son of Nethaniah plunged even these faithful clans into renewed upheaval. Ministry Significance 1. Military Valor: The Netophathites illustrate how God exalts humble origins (Psalm 113:7–8). Their warriors defended Israel during its formative monarchy and again in its darkest exile. Theological Themes • Covenant Loyalty: Whether on the battlefield or in village hospitality, Netophathites pursued the welfare of the Davidic kingdom and later the post-exilic community. Lessons for Believers Today Believers called to seemingly obscure places can profoundly shape redemptive history. The Netophathites challenge the church to prize faithfulness over visibility, to combine courageous action with sacrificial support of worship, and to remain steadfast through shifting political landscapes, trusting the sovereign Lord who remembers every service done in His name (Hebrews 6:10). Forms and Transliterations הַנְּטֹ֣פָתִ֔י הַנְּטֹפָתִ֑י הַנְּטֹפָתִ֗י הַנְּטֹפָתִֽי׃ הַנְּטֽוֹפָתִ֖י הַנְּטוֹפָתִ֖י הַנְּטוֹפָתִֽי׃ הנטופתי הנטופתי׃ הנטפתי הנטפתי׃ וּנְט֣וֹפָתִ֔י ונטופתי נְטֹפָתִֽי׃ נְטוֹפָתִֽי׃ נטופתי׃ נטפתי׃ han·nə·ṭō·p̄ā·ṯî han·nə·ṭō·w·p̄ā·ṯî hannetofaTi hannəṭōp̄āṯî hannəṭōwp̄āṯî nə·ṭō·p̄ā·ṯî nə·ṭō·w·p̄ā·ṯî netofaTi nəṭōp̄āṯî nəṭōwp̄āṯî ū·nə·ṭō·w·p̄ā·ṯî uneTofaTi ūnəṭōwp̄āṯîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 23:28 HEB: הָֽאֲחֹחִ֔י מַהְרַ֖י הַנְּטֹפָתִֽי׃ ס NAS: the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, KJV: the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, INT: the Ahohite Maharai the Netophathite 2 Samuel 23:29 2 Kings 25:23 1 Chronicles 2:54 1 Chronicles 9:16 1 Chronicles 11:30 1 Chronicles 11:30 1 Chronicles 27:13 1 Chronicles 27:15 Nehemiah 12:28 Jeremiah 40:8 11 Occurrences |
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