Lexical Summary Nepheth: Height, elevation, prominence Original Word: נֶפֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance country For naphah; a height -- country. see HEBREW naphah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as noph Definition "height," a city belonging to Manasseh NASB Translation Napheth (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נֶ֫פֶת] noun feminine id.; — only הַנָּ֑פֶת Joshua 17:11 (but read perhapsהַנָּפֹת, from foregoing, see Di; ᵐ5 Μαφετα, A. Ναφεθα, ᵐ5L Ναφεθ, compare Joshua 12:23 [above below II.נָפָה] ᵐ5L Ναφαθδως. — נֹפֶת honey, see נפת. נוֺצָה see I.נצה. Topical Lexicon Geographic Scopeנֶפֶת designates a trio of elevated districts in the Carmel-Megiddo corridor of northern Canaan. The single biblical reference (Joshua 17:11) links these uplands with well-known fortified towns: Dor on the coastal plain, Endor on the Hill of Moreh, Taanach and Megiddo at the mouth of the Jezreel Valley, along with Beth-shean and Ibleam to the east. Together they form a strategic arc controlling the maritime highway (Via Maris) and the passes between the Sharon plain, Mount Carmel, and the Valley of Jezreel. Placement in the Tribal Allotments Although the districts lie amid the territories of Issachar and Asher, they were assigned to the western half-tribe of Manasseh when Joshua apportioned the land. “Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had… the residents of Dor, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo… —the three lands” (Joshua 17:11). The unusual arrangement reflects both the military prowess of Manasseh’s Josephite lineage and the political necessity of securing the approaches to the central highlands that Ephraim and Manasseh would occupy. Military and Economic Importance 1. Trade routes: The uplands of נֶפֶת overlook junctions where caravans moved grain, wine, and oil between Egypt, Phoenicia, and the inland kingdoms. Historical Trajectory • Conquest era: Manasseh “could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities, for the Canaanites were determined to remain in that land” (Joshua 17:12). Iron-chariot technology and the defensible terrain delayed full occupation. Theological Themes Inheritance and obedience: נֶפֶת illustrates the already-but-not-yet dynamic of Israel’s possession. Manasseh received the promise, yet faith and perseverance were required to occupy what was legally theirs (Joshua 17:14-18). Spiritual warfare: The iron chariots of Megiddo symbolize entrenched opposition. God’s people learn that divine commission overrides technological or cultural intimidation (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:4). Covenant faithfulness: Later prophets recalled Carmel, Megiddo, and Dor when warning Israel against idolatry and injustice (Amos 1:2; Hosea 14:7), reminding readers that fertile, strategic locations are a stewardship, not a guarantee of blessing. Ministry Applications • Claiming God-given territory: Like Manasseh’s unoccupied נֶפֶת, modern believers may leave portions of their calling untaken because obstacles appear formidable. Joshua 17 encourages stepping forward in faith, trusting God’s adequacy. • Strategic intercession: The heights controlled movement across the land; similarly, key cultural “high places” today (media, education, commerce) warrant intentional prayer and engagement. • Holistic discipleship: נֶפֶת’s mix of agriculture, trade, and defense models integrated stewardship. Christians are called to cultivate economic, civic, and spiritual spheres under Christ’s lordship. Summary Though mentioned only once, נֶפֶת interlocks geography, history, and theology. The “three heights” guarded Israel’s northern heartland, challenged Manasseh’s obedience, and became a stage on which God’s sovereignty over nations, armies, and economies was displayed. Its legacy urges the church to embrace promised inheritance, confront formidable strongholds, and steward strategic places for the glory of God. Forms and Transliterations הַנָּֽפֶת׃ הנפת׃ han·nā·p̄eṯ hanNafet hannāp̄eṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 17:11 HEB: וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת הַנָּֽפֶת׃ NAS: and its towns, the third is Napheth. KJV: and her towns, [even] three countries. INT: towns the third is Napheth 1 Occurrence |
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