נֶפֶת
𐤍𐤐𐤕
nepheth
H5316 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Elevated ground such as a hill or height, especially in reference to a geographic feature or area characterized by its elevation. The term commonly denotes a specific elevated region or plateau, often with the nuance of a prominent or notable rise in the landscape.
Semantic Range
height, elevated region, upland, prominent topographic feature, plateau, country (as region defined by elevation)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root נפה (n-p-h), which means 'to be elevated' or 'to be prominent.' The noun form נֶפֶת signifies a physical elevation in the land.
Historical & Contextual Notes
נֶפֶת occurs in geographical lists (e.g., Joshua 11:2; 12:23) to describe regions of notable elevation, such as ranges or specific highlands distinct from valleys or lowlands. The term is relatively rare and largely technical, generally restricted to formal territorial descriptions rather than poetic or metaphorical usage. English versions sometimes render it as 'country,' 'height,' or 'region,' but 'height' or 'upland' more accurately reflects the geographical focus of the word. Unlike other terms for hill country (e.g., הַר, 'mountain,' or גִּבְעָה, 'hill'), נֶפֶת is used for particular upland zones or prominent features rather than general terrain. In later periods, the term is largely absent from post-exilic texts, suggesting it was specific to earlier Israelite territorial descriptions and not part of everyday vocabulary.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
for נָפָה; a height; country.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נפה (n-p-h) — to be elevated, to be prominent
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5316-01 |
הַ/נָּֽפֶת | hanafet | HTd/Ncfsa |
the Naphath | the elevated region | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5316-01 |
Joshua 17:11 | הַ/נָּֽפֶת | hanafet | HTd/Ncfsa |
the Naphath | the elevated region |