feminine of כְּפִיר; the village (always with the art.); Kephirah, a place in Palestine; Chephirah.
Transliteration:Kᵉphîyrâh
Pronunciation:kef-ee-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma כְּפִירָה (Kᵉphîyrâh), Strong's number `{{H3716}}`, is a feminine noun derived from כְּפִיר (kᵉphîr, `{{H3715}}`). While the masculine root כְּפִיר primarily denotes a "young lion" or "lion cub," it can also refer to a "village" or "settlement," particularly in place names. The feminine form כְּפִירָה, as defined, exclusively functions as a proper noun, referring to a specific geographical location. Its base meaning, therefore, is "the village" or "a settlement." The definition notes that it is "always with the art." (the definite article), indicating its consistent use as a proper noun for a known place in ancient Palestine.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Kephirah (or Chephirah) appears four times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently referring to the same location:
* **[[Joshua 9:17]]**: Kephirah is first mentioned as one of the four cities of the Gibeonites, alongside Gibeon, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. This passage describes the Gibeonites' deceptive treaty with Joshua, which Israel was bound to uphold due to their oath. The inclusion of Kephirah here underscores its status as an established Canaanite settlement of some significance prior to the Israelite conquest. Its inhabitants, by virtue of the covenant, were spared from destruction but became "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the congregation.
* **[[Joshua 18:26]]**: In the account of the tribal allotments, Kephirah is listed among the cities assigned to the tribe of Benjamin. This demonstrates its integration into the Israelite territory following the conquest and the subsequent division of the land. Its placement within Benjamin's inheritance signifies the fulfillment of God's promise regarding the land and the establishment of Israelite dominion.
* **[[Ezra 2:25]]**: Kephirah reappears in the post-exilic period, listed among the places whose "sons" (descendants of its inhabitants) returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. This verse records the number of men from Kephirah who participated in the return, indicating the enduring identity and communal ties of those associated with the place, even after generations of displacement.
* **[[Nehemiah 7:29]]**: This verse is a parallel passage to [[Ezra 2:25]], reiterating the return of the "men of Kephirah" from exile. The inclusion in both Ezra and Nehemiah's lists emphasizes the importance of these returning communities in the rebuilding of Judah and Jerusalem, highlighting the continuity of the covenant people.
Across these occurrences, Kephirah serves as a tangible geographical marker, connecting disparate periods of Israelite history—from the initial conquest and settlement to the restoration post-exile.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is **כְּפִיר (kᵉphîr, `{{H3715}}`)**, the masculine noun from which Kephirah is derived. While כְּפִיר most commonly refers to a "young lion," its secondary meaning of "village" or "settlement" is crucial for understanding the place name. This dual semantic range for the root suggests a potential etymological connection to fortified or strong settlements, perhaps metaphorically like a lion's den, or simply a common term for a rural community.
Other related concepts include:
* **Gibeonites**: The people group associated with Kephirah in the Joshua narrative, whose unique covenant status shaped their destiny within Israel.
* **Tribal Allotments**: The system of land distribution among the Israelite tribes, particularly the territory of Benjamin, which encompassed Kephirah.
* **Post-Exilic Return**: The broader historical movement of the Jewish people returning to Judah after the Babylonian captivity, a significant event in which the "sons of Kephirah" participated.
* **Settlements/Villages**: The general category of inhabited places in ancient Israel, of which Kephirah is a specific example. The detailed listing of such places in biblical texts underscores the historical and geographical grounding of the narrative.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of Kephirah, though few, carry significant theological weight:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Covenant Faithfulness**: Kephirah's involvement in the Gibeonite deception in [[Joshua 9]] highlights God's demand for Israel's faithfulness to their oaths, even when made under duress. Despite the Gibeonites' trickery, the covenant was upheld, demonstrating the sanctity of vows before God and His commitment to justice. This also subtly illustrates God's sovereign hand in directing events, even through human deception, to integrate certain peoples into the service of His chosen nation.
2. **Fulfillment of Land Promises**: Kephirah's inclusion in the tribal inheritance of Benjamin in [[Joshua 18]] serves as a tangible witness to the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. Each city named in the allotments underscores the literal and historical reality of God's covenant faithfulness in granting Israel their inheritance.
3. **Continuity of God's People and Preservation of a Remnant**: The return of the "sons of Kephirah" in Ezra-Nehemiah powerfully demonstrates God's enduring commitment to His people, even through periods of judgment and exile. Their return signifies the preservation of a remnant and the divine impulse to rebuild and restore the community of faith in the promised land. It speaks to the resilience of identity and the enduring hope of restoration.
4. **Historical Specificity of Salvation History**: The meticulous naming of places like Kephirah grounds the biblical narrative in concrete historical and geographical realities. It emphasizes that God's redemptive work unfolded in real places, among real people, making the biblical account a verifiable history rather than mere myth.
### Summary
Kephirah (כְּפִירָה, `{{H3716}}`) is a feminine proper noun designating a specific ancient village in Palestine, derived from a root meaning "village" or "settlement." Its biblical occurrences provide a concise yet profound narrative arc within Israel's history. Initially known as one of the Gibeonite cities that tricked Joshua into a covenant, it subsequently became part of the tribal inheritance of Benjamin. Centuries later, its descendants were among those who returned from Babylonian exile, underscoring the enduring identity and continuity of God's people. Theologically, Kephirah serves as a testament to God's faithfulness to covenants, the fulfillment of His land promises to Israel, and His sovereign preservation of a remnant through historical vicissitudes. Its presence in the biblical record anchors the grand narrative of salvation history in specific, tangible geographical locations.
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