probably from יָסַף; additional; Vophsi, an Israelite; Vophsi.
Transliteration:Vophçîy
Pronunciation:vof-see'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun וׇפְסִי (Vophçîy), Strong's number `{{H2058}}`, is a personal name derived from the root יָסַף (yasaph), Strong's number `{{H3254}}`. The root יָסַף primarily signifies "to add," "to increase," "to do again," or "to continue." Thus, Vophsi most likely carries the meaning "my addition" or "he has added." As a proper noun, its semantic range is inherently limited to the individual it identifies, with its deeper meaning residing in its etymological roots, reflecting a common practice in ancient Israelite naming where a child's name often conveyed a statement about their birth, a prayer, or a theological truth concerning God's action.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Vophsi appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Numbers:
* [[Numbers 13:14]]: "Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi."
This single occurrence places Vophsi as the father of Nahbi, who was chosen as the representative from the tribe of Naphtali to scout the land of Canaan. This mission, detailed in Numbers 13, involved sending twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to explore the promised land. Vophsi himself is not an active participant in the narrative; his significance is solely as the progenitor of Nahbi. The account of the spies is pivotal, as ten of the twelve, including Nahbi, brought back a disheartening report, leading to the Israelites' forty years of wandering in the wilderness. While Vophsi's name might imply "addition" or "increase" in a positive sense, the outcome of his son's mission ironically contributed to a *decrease* in faith and a *delay* in entering the land.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root יָסַף (yasaph), `{{H3254}}`, which means "to add," "to gather," "to increase," or "to do again." This root is foundational to understanding Vophsi's name. Other biblical names are also derived from or related to this root, most notably יוֹסֵף (Yoseph), Joseph, meaning "He [God] will add," as seen in [[Genesis 30:24]] when Rachel names him, praying, "May the Lord add to me another son." The concept of "addition" or "increase" is a recurring theme in biblical thought, often associated with divine blessing, progeny, or the growth of God's people. In the context of Vophsi, the name reflects the hope or reality of an "addition" to the family lineage, contributing to the tribal census and the strength of Israel.
### Theological Significance
Given Vophsi's singular mention as a father, his direct theological significance is minimal. However, his name and the context in which it appears offer indirect theological insights.
1. **Divine Providence in Naming:** The name "Vophsi" (my addition) reflects the ancient Israelite understanding that children were a gift and an "addition" from God, a blessing that increased the family and tribal strength. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of fruitfulness and multiplication as part of God's covenant blessings (e.g., [[Genesis 1:28]], [[Genesis 12:2]]).
2. **Representative Leadership:** While Vophsi himself was not a spy, his son Nahbi was. The selection of tribal representatives for such a crucial mission underscores the importance of leadership and the collective responsibility of the tribes before God. The failure of Nahbi and the other spies (except Caleb and Joshua) to trust God's promise highlights the human tendency towards fear and unbelief, even when faced with divine assurance.
3. **Irony of Name and Outcome:** The name "my addition" stands in stark contrast to the outcome of his son's mission, which led to a *subtraction* of the generation from the promised land and a *delay* in God's redemptive plan for Israel. This subtle irony serves as a reminder that personal names, while carrying inherent meaning, do not guarantee the character or actions of the individual or their descendants. The ultimate theological significance rests not in the name itself, but in the unfolding of God's sovereign plan despite human failings.
### Summary
Vophsi, Strong's number `{{H2058}}`, is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "my addition," derived from the root יָסַף (yasaph), `{{H3254}}`, "to add" or "to increase." He is mentioned only once in the Bible as the father of Nahbi, the spy from the tribe of Naphtali in [[Numbers 13:14]]. While Vophsi himself plays no active role in the narrative, his name reflects the common biblical theme of children as divine "additions" and blessings. The context of his son's participation in the mission to spy out Canaan, which resulted in a negative report and subsequent divine judgment, creates a poignant irony between the name's meaning of "addition" and the ultimate "subtraction" of that generation from the promised land. Thus, Vophsi's name, though briefly mentioned, subtly contributes to the rich tapestry of biblical narrative, underscoring themes of divine providence, human responsibility, and the consequences of faith and unbelief.
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