נַפְתֻּחִים
𐤍𐤐𐤕𐤇𐤉𐤌
Nafetuchim
H5320 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Naphtuchim: a people-group mentioned in biblical genealogies, listed among the descendants of Mizraim (Egypt). Used as a proper noun to designate a distinct group traditionally located among, or associated with, regions of Egypt, though specific territory or ethnic identity is otherwise unknown. The term occurs as a plural, characterizing a collective ethnic or tribal entity rather than an individual. Semantic range includes the ethnic designation for this group in ancient texts, without further lexical development or extended meaning.
Semantic Range
the Naphtuchim people/entity; a collective ethnic or tribal designation; proper noun; biblical genealogical listing
Root / Etymology
The word נַפְתֻּחִים (Naphtuchim) is of foreign (non-Hebrew) origin, with etymology uncertain. The form is plural in Hebrew, likely reflecting the collective nature of the people-group. It is listed as a descendant of Mizraim, the eponymous ancestor of Egypt, in various biblical genealogical tables.
Historical & Contextual Notes
נַפְתֻּחִים appears only in biblical genealogical contexts, specifically in Genesis 10:13 and 1 Chronicles 1:11, among the descendants of Mizraim (symbolically representing Egypt). The term is a loanword; its true etymology and the precise historical location or identity of this group remain obscure, with no clear corresponding people-group attested in extra-biblical Egyptian sources. Ancient and modern English translations often transliterate the name or offer interpretive renderings as a 'tribe' or 'people.' The root and origin are not native Hebrew and no related verb or noun appears in biblical Hebrew. In translation traditions, some later renderings and interpretations have associated the Naphtuchim with regions in North Africa or Egypt, but these identifications are speculative and not supported by direct linguistic or archaeological evidence. The word is best understood as a preserved ancient ethnic name of unknown origin and uncertain referent beyond its biblical context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of foreign origin,; Naphtuchim, an Egyptian tribe; Naptuhim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1002 | בִּירָה | the citadel |
| H105 | אֲגַרְטָל | bowls of |
| H1081 | בַּלְאֲדָן | Baladan |
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5320-01 |
נַפְתֻּחִֽים | nafetuchim | HNp |
Naphtuhim | Naphtuchim | Nafetuchim | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5320-01 |
Genesis 10:13 | נַפְתֻּחִֽים | nafetuchim | HNgmpa |
Naphtuhim | Naphtuchim | Nafetuchim |
H5320-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:11 | נַפְתֻּחִֽים | nafetuchim | HNp |
the Naphtuhites | Naphtuchim | Nafetuchim |