Lexical Summary Naphish: Naphish Original Word: נָפִישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Naphish From naphash; refreshed; Naphish, a son of Ishmael, and his posterity -- Naphish. see HEBREW naphash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as nephesh Definition a son of Ishmael NASB Translation Naphish (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָפִישׁ proper name, masculine son of Ishmael, according to Genesis 25:15 (P), = 1 Chronicles 1:31 (ᵐ5 Ναφες, ᵐ5L Ναφεις); = (Arab) tribe 1 Chronicles 5:19 (ᵐ5 Ναφεισαδαιων, A ᵐ5L Ναφισαιων). נֶ֫פֶת see II. נוף. Topical Lexicon Genealogical Context Naphish first appears in the patriarchal records as one of the twelve sons of Ishmael (Genesis 25:15; 1 Chronicles 1:31). Along with his brothers, he fathered an eponymous clan that became part of the constellation of Arab tribes living “from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Asshur” (Genesis 25:18). The text presents these sons as free‐standing tribal progenitors, emphasizing God’s fulfillment of His promise to make Ishmael “a great nation” (Genesis 17:20). Within the larger narrative of Genesis, Naphish therefore represents both God’s faithfulness to Abraham’s household and the emergence of non-Israelite peoples who nonetheless remain linked to the chosen line. Geographical Setting While Scripture does not supply precise borders for the territory of Naphish, later notices imply that the Naphishites dwelt east of the Jordan in the steppe region stretching toward the Arabian Desert. Their proximity to Gilead and to the Transjordan tribes is indirectly confirmed by the military account in 1 Chronicles 5:19, where Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh engage “the Hagrites—Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.” This locale situates the Naphishites among the semi-nomadic peoples who controlled the caravan routes linking Mesopotamia, Syria, and Egypt. Role in Old Testament Narrative 1 Chronicles 5:18-22 records a decisive conflict in which the Israelite tribes east of the Jordan defeated a coalition that included Naphish. The chronicler highlights two themes: Naphish thus becomes an historical example of how God fights for His covenant people, even against kinsmen of Ishmael. The episode also foreshadows the spiritual convergence of Jew and Gentile under God’s sovereign plan: the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh temporarily subdue Naphish, yet Isaiah foresees a day when “Egypt and Assyria” will join Israel in worship (Isaiah 19:24-25). Spiritual and Theological Insights 1. God Keeps Covenant Promises. Naphish’s very existence demonstrates the reliability of God’s word to Hagar and Abraham regarding Ishmael’s posterity. Ministry Application • Cross-Cultural Engagement—The biblical record encourages believers to see every people group, including those historically opposed to the faith, as potential recipients of the gospel. Historical Echoes and Later Influence Post-exilic literature and Second Temple sources do not preserve further details about the Naphishites, suggesting either assimilation into larger Arab confederations or migration deeper into the desert. Yet the name persists in Scripture as a monument to the covenant drama unfolding between the sons of Isaac and Ishmael—a drama culminating in the gospel’s extension to “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). Conclusion Though referenced only three times, Naphish serves as a strategic link in the biblical tapestry: a reminder of fulfilled promises, the realities of intertribal conflict, and the ultimate triumph of God’s redemptive purposes across ethnic lines. Forms and Transliterations וְנָפִ֖ישׁ ונפיש נָפִ֖ישׁ נפיש nā·p̄îš naFish nāp̄îš venaFish wə·nā·p̄îš wənāp̄îšLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:15 HEB: וְתֵימָ֔א יְט֥וּר נָפִ֖ישׁ וָקֵֽדְמָה׃ NAS: and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. KJV: and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah: INT: and Tema Jetur Naphish and Kedemah 1 Chronicles 1:31 1 Chronicles 5:19 3 Occurrences |
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