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רִיפַת

𐤓𐤉𐤐𐤕

Rifat

H7384 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain; no native Hebrew root

Definition

Riphath (רִיפַת) is a proper noun functioning as a personal name, denoting a descendant of Japheth within the genealogies of Genesis (specifically identified as a son of Gomer and thus a grandson of Japheth). The term is used uniquely for this figure and, by extension, refers collectively to his lineage or descendants.

Semantic Range

personal name of Japheth's grandson; by extension, ancestor of a people group; used exclusively as a genealogical identifier

Root / Etymology

The name רִיפַת (Riphath) is of uncertain etymology and is classed as a non-Hebrew (foreign) proper noun in the biblical text. No Hebrew root transparently underlies the name; the presence of the variant spelling דִּיפַת (Diphath, as in 1 Chronicles 1:6) suggests the name was transmitted through oral and written traditions, possibly reflecting phonetic approximation from another language or minor textual variations.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Riphath appears only in the genealogical lists of Genesis 10:3 and 1 Chronicles 1:6 as a son of Gomer, making him a grandson of Japheth. These genealogies traditionally associate Riphath's descendants with the table of nations—ancient Israelite attempts to categorize known peoples. Later traditions (including some translations and historical sources) attempted to link the descendants of Riphath to specific ancient groups, but the identifications are speculative. The variant דִּיפַת (Diphath) in 1 Chronicles likely reflects a scribal or dialectal variation. The name does not appear again in Israelite historical narratives or poetry, and no clearly related Hebrew term exists. Standard English translations use the transliterated form 'Riphath', preserving its function as a personal name without descriptive content. The form 'Jew' or any terminology associated with later ethnic or religious identities is not applicable. The term is distinct from other personal names in the narrative of Genesis 10 and not associated with geographic or tribal descriptors within the biblical text.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (probably by orthographical error) דִּיפַת; of foreign origin; Riphath, a grandson of Japheth and his descendants; Riphath.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

uncertain (unknown) — uncertain; foreign personal name

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar
H1114 בִּלְשָׁן Bilshan
H1150 בִּנְעָא Bin'a
H116 אֱדַיִן and then

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7384-02 וְ/רִיפַ֖ת verifat HC/Np and Riphath and Riphath 1
H7384-01 וְ/דִיפַ֖ת vedifat HC/Np and Diphath and Diphath 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7384-02 Genesis 10:3 וְ/רִיפַ֖ת verifat HC/Np and Riphath and Riphath
H7384-01 1 Chronicles 1:6 וְ/דִיפַ֖ת vedifat HC/Np and Diphath and Diphath
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