Chephirah is one of the cities mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the Gibeonite cities that made a treaty with Joshua and the Israelites. It is located in the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. The city is first mentioned in Joshua 9:17, where it is listed among the cities of the Gibeonites: "So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim." The Gibeonites, including the inhabitants of Chephirah, deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land (Joshua 9:3-15). As a result, they were spared from destruction but were made servants to the Israelites, specifically as woodcutters and water carriers (Joshua 9:21-27).

Chephirah is also mentioned in the post-exilic period. In Ezra 2:25 and Nehemiah 7:29, the inhabitants of Chephirah are listed among those who returned from the Babylonian exile. This indicates that the city continued to have a recognized community even after the exile.

Beeroth

Beeroth is another city associated with the Gibeonites and is mentioned alongside Chephirah in the biblical narrative. It is part of the four Hivite cities that made a treaty with Israel during Joshua's conquest of Canaan. In Joshua 9:17, Beeroth is listed with Gibeon, Chephirah, and Kiriath-jearim as the cities of the Gibeonites. The people of Beeroth, like those of the other Gibeonite cities, became servants to the Israelites due to their deceptive treaty.

Beeroth is also noted in the context of King David's reign. In 2 Samuel 4:2-3, it is mentioned that the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day. This passage is part of the narrative concerning the murder of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, by two men from Beeroth, Baanah and Rechab.

In the post-exilic period, Beeroth is again mentioned in the lists of returnees in Ezra 2:25 and Nehemiah 7:29, indicating its continued existence and the return of its inhabitants from Babylonian captivity.

Kiriath-jearim

Kiriath-jearim, also known as Kiriath-baal, is a significant city in the biblical narrative, located in the territory of Judah near the border with Benjamin. It is first mentioned in Joshua 9:17 as one of the Gibeonite cities. Kiriath-jearim holds particular importance due to its association with the Ark of the Covenant. After the Ark was returned by the Philistines, it was brought to Kiriath-jearim and placed in the house of Abinadab on the hill, where it remained for twenty years (1 Samuel 7:1-2).

The city is also mentioned in the context of David's efforts to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. In 1 Chronicles 13:5-6, David gathers all Israel to bring the Ark from Kiriath-jearim, highlighting its role as a temporary resting place for the Ark before its final relocation to Jerusalem.

Kiriath-jearim is included in the genealogical and territorial lists of Judah (Joshua 15:9, 60) and is noted in the post-exilic returnee lists in Ezra 2:25 and Nehemiah 7:29, indicating its continued significance and habitation after the Babylonian exile.