The term "Japhleti" refers to a group of people mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the territorial boundaries of the tribes of Israel. The Japhletites are associated with the tribe of Ephraim, one of the sons of Joseph, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel).

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to the Japhleti is found in the Book of Joshua, which details the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. In Joshua 16:3, the Berean Standard Bible states: "Then it went down westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth-horon and on to Gezer, ending at the sea."

Geographical Context:

The Japhleti are mentioned in the context of the boundary description for the tribe of Ephraim. The passage in Joshua describes the southern border of Ephraim's inheritance, which extends to the territory of the Japhletites. This indicates that the Japhletites occupied a region that was significant in defining the land apportioned to Ephraim. The mention of Lower Beth-horon and Gezer provides further geographical markers, suggesting that the Japhletites were located in the central part of Canaan, near these notable cities.

Historical and Cultural Significance:

The Japhletites, like many other groups mentioned in the territorial descriptions of the tribes, played a role in the complex mosaic of peoples inhabiting the land of Canaan during the time of the Israelite settlement. The inclusion of the Japhletites in the biblical narrative underscores the detailed nature of the land division and the importance of clearly defined boundaries for the tribes of Israel.

The presence of the Japhletites in the biblical text also reflects the broader historical context of the ancient Near East, where various ethnic and tribal groups coexisted and interacted. The Japhletites, though not extensively detailed in the biblical record, contribute to the understanding of the diverse population landscape during the period of the conquest and settlement of Canaan.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the mention of the Japhletites in the division of the land highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The allocation of specific territories to the tribes of Israel, including the land associated with the Japhletites, is seen as a testament to God's faithfulness in granting the Israelites the land He had promised to their forefathers.

The detailed territorial descriptions, including the reference to the Japhletites, serve as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people. The land was not merely a physical inheritance but also a symbol of the divine promise and the establishment of Israel as a nation set apart for God's purposes.JAPHLETI

jaf'-le-ti, jaf-le'-ti: the King James Version in Joshua 16:3, where Hebrew is ha-yaphleTi, "the Japhletites," the Revised Version (British and American), a clan said to border on the territory of Joseph, but not mentioned elsewhere.

3311. Yaphleti -- descendant of Japhlet
... of Japhlet NASB Word Usage Japhletites (1). Japhleti. Patronymically from Yaphlet;
a Japhletite or descendant of Japhlet -- Japhleti. see HEBREW Yaphlet. ...
/hebrew/3311.htm - 6kJaphleti (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JAPHLETI. jaf'-le-ti, jaf ... mentioned elsewhere.
Multi-Version Concordance Japhleti (1 Occurrence). Joshua 16 ...
/j/japhleti.htm - 7k

Nether (19 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of
Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer; and the goings out thereof are at the sea. ...
/n/nether.htm - 12k

Outgoings (21 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:3 and gone down westward unto the border of Japhleti, unto the border
of Beth-Horon the lower, and unto Gezer, and its outgoings have been at the sea ...
/o/outgoings.htm - 12k

Japhlet (2 Occurrences)

/j/japhlet.htm - 7k

Japhletites (1 Occurrence)

/j/japhletites.htm - 6k

Goings (42 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of
Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer; and the goings out thereof are at the sea. ...
/g/goings.htm - 22k

Limits (69 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:3 And goeth down westward to the border of Japhleti, to the border of
Beth-horon the nether, and to Gezer: and the limits of it are at the sea. (WBS). ...
/l/limits.htm - 27k

Coast (70 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of
Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer; and the goings out thereof are at the sea. ...
/c/coast.htm - 31k

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of
Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer; and the goings out thereof are at the sea. ...
/b/bethhoron.htm - 30k

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