אֲפִיחַ
𐤀𐤐𐤉𐤇
Aficha
H647 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper name designating an Israelite individual, Aphiach, found in genealogical contexts. The primary lexical meaning pertains to a personal name, the etymology of which is possibly linked to the root meaning 'breeze' or 'blast', but the exact significance as a name is uncertain.
Semantic Range
personal name (Aphiach), possible association with breath, breeze, or blast (by derivation); no common noun use in the Hebrew Bible
Root / Etymology
Derived perhaps from the root פּוּחַ (pūaḥ), meaning 'to blow, breathe, puff'. The formation suggests a noun form related to 'breeze' or 'blast'; however, as is common with proper names, the exact nuance in a personal context is not clear. Etymology ultimately remains uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name אֲפִיחַ (Aphiach) is mentioned in 1 Samuel 9:1 as an ancestor in the genealogy of Saul, the first Israelite king. It is exclusively used as a personal name and does not function as a common noun elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. The rendering 'Aphiah' in English Bibles follows the Greek and Latin transliteration traditions. There is no evidence to associate the name directly with any later ethnic, religious, or territorial groups, nor does it appear to carry further narrative significance beyond genealogical listing. As with many early Israelite personal names, the original semantic motivation may have been transparent to the ancient audience but is now obscure.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps from פּוּחַ; breeze; Aphiach, an Israelite; Aphiah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
פוח (Aficha) — to blow, breathe, exhale, puff
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6368 | פִּיחַ | wind-blown ash |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H647-01 |
אֲפִ֖יחַ | aficha | HNp |
Aphiah | Aphiach | Aficha | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H647-01 |
1 Samuel 9:1 | אֲפִ֖יחַ | aficha | HNp |
Aphiah | Aphiach | Aficha |