Chephirah is a town mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan and the subsequent allotment of land among the tribes of Israel. It is one of the four cities of the Hivites that made a treaty with Joshua and the Israelites, as recorded in the Book of Joshua.

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 9:17 · Chephirah is first mentioned in the context of the Gibeonite deception. The Gibeonites, fearing the advancing Israelites, resorted to a ruse to secure a peace treaty. They posed as travelers from a distant land, and the Israelites, without seeking the counsel of the LORD, made a covenant with them. When the deception was uncovered, the Israelites honored the treaty but made the Gibeonites servants. The verse states: "So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim."

2. Joshua 18:26 · Chephirah is listed among the towns allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. This allocation is part of the detailed division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. The verse reads: "Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah."

3. Ezra 2:25 and Nehemiah 7:29 · These passages mention the return of the exiles from Babylonian captivity. The inhabitants of Chephirah are included in the list of those who returned to Judah. Ezra 2:25 states: "the men of Gibeon, 95," while Nehemiah 7:29 records: "the men of Gibeon, 95."

Historical and Geographical Context:

Chephirah was located in the region assigned to the tribe of Benjamin, which was situated to the north of Jerusalem. The exact location of Chephirah is not definitively known today, but it is generally identified with the modern site of Khirbet Kefireh, approximately 11 kilometers northwest of Jerusalem. This identification is based on historical and geographical correlations with biblical descriptions.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

The account of Chephirah and the other Gibeonite cities highlights themes of covenant, deception, and divine providence. Despite the Gibeonites' deceit, the Israelites' commitment to their oath reflects the importance of covenant faithfulness, a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. The inclusion of Chephirah in the post-exilic lists of returnees underscores the continuity of God's promises to His people, even after periods of judgment and exile.

Chephirah's mention in the context of the Gibeonite treaty also serves as a reminder of the broader narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan, illustrating the complexities and challenges faced by the Israelites as they sought to establish themselves in the land promised to their forefathers.Chephirah

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Chephirah

(the hamlet), one of the four cities of the Gibeonites, (Joshua 9:17) named afterwards among the towns of Benjamin. (Ezra 2:25; Nehemiah 7:29)

Village, one of the four cities of the Gibeonitish Hivites with whom Joshua made a league (9:17). It belonged to Benjamin. It has been identified with the modern Kefireh, on the west confines of Benjamin, about 2 miles west of Ajalon and 11 from Jerusalem. CHEPHIRAH

ke-fi'-ra (ha-kephirah; Codex Vaticanus, Kapheira (Joshua 9); Codex Alexandrinus has Chepheira, Codex Vaticanus has kai Pheira (Joshua 18)): One of the cities of the Hivites who by guile made alliance with Israel (Joshua 9:17). It was in the lot of Benjamin (Joshua 18:26), and was reoccupied after the return from Babylon (Ezra 2:25 Nehemiah 7:29). It is represented by the modern Kefireh, to the Southwest of Gibeon, and North of Karyat el-`Anab. It stands on high ground, with many ancient remains.

3716. Kphiyrah -- a city in Benjamin
... 3715, 3716. Kphiyrah. 3716a . a city in Benjamin. Transliteration: Kphiyrah
Phonetic Spelling: (kef-ee-raw') Short Definition: Chephirah. Chephirah ...
/hebrew/3716.htm - 5k

3716a. Kephirah -- a city in Benjamin
... a city in Benjamin. Transliteration: Kephirah Short Definition: Chephirah. ... of kephir
Definition a city in Benjamin NASB Word Usage Chephirah (4). 3716, 3716a. ...
/hebrew/3716a.htm - 5k

Chephirah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHEPHIRAH. ... It stands on high ground, with many
ancient remains. Multi-Version Concordance Chephirah (4 Occurrences). ...
/c/chephirah.htm - 8k

Chephi'rah (4 Occurrences)
Chephi'rah. Chephirah, Chephi'rah. Chephirim . ... Now their cities were Gibeon,
and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. (See RSV). ...
/c/chephi'rah.htm - 7k

Kephirah (4 Occurrences)
... Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. (See
NIV). Joshua 18:26 Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah, (See NIV). ...
/k/kephirah.htm - 7k

Beeroth (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:17 The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third
day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. ...
/b/beeroth.htm - 11k

Be-er'oth (8 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:17 The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third
day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. ...
/b/be-er'oth.htm - 8k

Jearim (19 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:17 The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third
day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. ...
/j/jearim.htm - 13k

Kiriath (34 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:17 The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third
day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. ...
/k/kiriath.htm - 17k

Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... (2) It should not be too far removed from the other cities of the Gibeonites-Gibeon,
Chephirah and Beeroth-but those places, which are all identified, are ...
/k/kiriath-jearim.htm - 19k

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)
... cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and
Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. (See RSV). Joshua 15:9 And ...
/k/kir'iath-je'arim.htm - 11k

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)
... cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and
Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. (KJV). Joshua 15:9 And the ...
/k/kirjathjearim.htm - 13k

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