The Netophathites were a group of people mentioned in the Old Testament, associated with the town of Netophah. This town is believed to have been located near Bethlehem in the tribal territory of Judah. The Netophathites are primarily noted for their contributions to the military and religious life of ancient Israel.

Biblical References

1. Military Contributions: The Netophathites are first mentioned in the context of King David's mighty men. In 2 Samuel 23:28-29, two of David's warriors, Maharai and Heleb, are identified as Netophathites. The passage states: "Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite." These men were part of the elite group known as "The Thirty," who were renowned for their bravery and loyalty to David.

2. Return from Exile: The Netophathites are also listed among those who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. In Ezra 2:22 and Nehemiah 7:26, the descendants of Netophah are mentioned as part of the group that resettled in Judah. The Berean Standard Bible records: "The men of Netophah, 56" (Ezra 2:22) and "The men of Netophah, 188" (Nehemiah 7:26). This indicates their continued presence and significance in the post-exilic community.

3. Religious Contributions: The Netophathites were involved in the religious life of Israel, particularly in the service of the temple. In 1 Chronicles 9:16, a Levite named Obadiah, the son of Shemaiah, is identified as a Netophathite. The text reads: "Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites." This suggests that the Netophathites had a role in the musical and liturgical functions of the temple.

Historical and Cultural Context

Netophah, the town associated with the Netophathites, is thought to have been a small village near Bethlehem. Its exact location remains uncertain, but it is often linked to the region of the Judean hills. The Netophathites' mention in various genealogical and military lists highlights their integration into the broader community of Judah and their contribution to its defense and spiritual life.

The Netophathites' inclusion in the lists of returnees from Babylonian exile underscores their enduring identity and commitment to the restoration of Israel. Their presence in the post-exilic period reflects the continuity of the tribal and familial structures that were vital to the re-establishment of Jewish society in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas.

Significance

The Netophathites exemplify the diverse and interconnected nature of the tribes and families within ancient Israel. Their contributions to both the military and religious spheres illustrate the multifaceted roles that smaller groups played in the history of Israel. The Netophathites' legacy, as recorded in the biblical narrative, serves as a testament to their faithfulness and dedication to the community of God's people.NETOPHATHI; NETOPHATHITES

ne-tof'-a-thi, ne-tof'-a-thits.

See NETOPHAH.

5200. Netophathi -- inhab. of Netophah
... Netophathite. Word Origin from Netophah Definition inhab. of Netophah NASB
Word Usage Netophathite (8), Netophathites (3). Netophathite. ...
/hebrew/5200.htm - 6kNetophathites (3 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia NETOPHATHI; NETOPHATHITES. ne-tof'-a-thi, ne-tof'-a-
thits. See NETOPHAH. Multi-Version Concordance Netophathites (3 Occurrences). ...
/n/netophathites.htm - 7k

Netoph'athites (3 Occurrences)
Netoph'athites. Netophathites, Netoph'athites. Netpit . Multi-Version
Concordance Netoph'athites (3 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 2 ...
/n/netoph'athites.htm - 7k

Netophah (2 Occurrences)
... Two of David's guards were Netophathites (1 Chronicles 27:13, 15). It has been
identified with the ruins of Metoba, or Um Toba, to the north-east of Bethlehem. ...
/n/netophah.htm - 9k

Netophathi (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NETOPHATHI; NETOPHATHITES. ne-tof'-a-thi,
ne-tof'-a-thits. See NETOPHAH. Multi-Version Concordance Netophathi (1 Occurrence). ...
/n/netophathi.htm - 7k

Netophathite (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 2:54 The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Atroth
Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites. ...
/n/netophathite.htm - 9k

Salma (3 Occurrences)
... He is also said to be the father of "the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half
of the Manahathites, the Zorites," and several "families of scribes." See ...
/s/salma.htm - 8k

Asa (54 Occurrences)
... (2) A son of Elkanah, a Levite, who dwelt in one of the villages of the Netophathites
(1 Chronicles 9:16). WW Davies. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/asa.htm - 29k

Villages (106 Occurrences)
... the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son
of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. ...
/v/villages.htm - 38k

Zorites (1 Occurrence)
... Zorites (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 2:54 The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the
Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites. ...
/z/zorites.htm - 7k

Zorite (1 Occurrence)
... Zorite (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 2:54 The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the
Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites. ...
/z/zorite.htm - 6k

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