1. Japhia, King of Lachish

Japhia is first mentioned in the Bible as the king of Lachish, a city in the Shephelah region of ancient Judah. He is noted for his role in the coalition of Amorite kings who opposed the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. This coalition was formed in response to the Gibeonites making peace with Israel, which alarmed the surrounding Canaanite kings.

In Joshua 10:3-5 , it is recorded: "So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, 'Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.' So the five Amorite kings—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon—joined forces, advanced with all their armies, besieged Gibeon, and fought against it."

The coalition's attack on Gibeon prompted the Gibeonites to call for Joshua's aid. In response, Joshua led a surprise attack against the Amorite coalition, resulting in a significant victory for Israel. The Lord intervened by casting down large hailstones on the Amorite armies, and the sun stood still at Joshua's request, allowing the Israelites to achieve a complete victory (Joshua 10:11-14).

Japhia, along with the other kings, fled and hid in the cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered the cave to be sealed with large stones and guarded until the battle was over. Afterward, the kings were brought out, executed, and their bodies were hung on trees until evening, as a sign of their defeat and the Lord's deliverance of Israel (Joshua 10:16-27).

2. Japhia, Son of David

Japhia is also the name of one of King David's sons, born to him in Jerusalem. He was the third son born to David by his wife Bathsheba, following Shammua and Shobab. This is recorded in 2 Samuel 5:14-16 : "These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet."

Japhia's mention in the biblical narrative is brief, and there is little additional information about his life or role within David's family. His inclusion in the genealogical records underscores the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical context, particularly in relation to the Davidic line, which holds significant messianic implications.

3. Japhia, Town in Zebulun

Japhia is also the name of a town within the tribal territory of Zebulun. It is mentioned in the delineation of Zebulun's borders in Joshua 19:12 : "From Sarid it turned eastward toward the sunrise to the border of Chisloth-tabor, went on to Daberath, and up to Japhia."

The town of Japhia is part of the inheritance allotted to the tribe of Zebulun, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The specific mention of Japhia in the territorial boundaries highlights the detailed nature of the land distribution among the tribes, as ordained by God through Moses and executed by Joshua. The precise borders and towns within each tribal territory were significant for maintaining the identity and heritage of each tribe within the Promised Land.Japhia

enlightening; appearing

Japhia

(splended) The boundary of Zebulun ascended from Daberath to Japhia, and thence passed to Gath-hepher. (Joshua 19:12) Yafa , two miles south of Nazareth. ,is not unlikely to be identical with Japhin.

Splendid.

(1.) The king of Lachish, who joined in the confederacy against Joshua (Joshua 10:3), and was defeated and slain. In one of the Amarna tablets he speaks of himself as king of Gezer. Called also Horam (Joshua 10:33).

(2.) One of the sons of David (2 Samuel 5:15), born in Jerusalem.

(3.) A town in the southern boundary of Zebulum (Joshua 19:12); now Yafa, 2 miles south-west of Nazareth.

JAPHIA (1)

ja-fi'-a, jaf'-i-a (yaphia`, perhaps "tall"; compare Arabic; Iephtha):

(1) King of Lachish, one of the 5 "kings of the Amorites" who allied themselves together in an expedition against Gibeon on account of its treaty with the Israelites (Joshua 10:3-5). After their discomfiture by Joshua in the battle of Beth-horon (10:10), "one of the most important in the history of the world" (Stanley), they fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah (10:16). As Joshua passed, he was informed of this, but, unwilling to delay his pursuit of the fugitives, he ordered great stones to be rolled unto the mouth of the cave, leaving a guard in charge (10:17). On the completion of his victory, Joshua returned to Makkedah and commanded the Israelites to bring forth the imprisoned kings, and summoned the chiefs of his army to plant their feet upon their necks. Then he put them to death; and after he had hung their bodies on 5 trees, he ordered the Israelites in the evening to take them down and cast them into the cave (10:22-27).

(2) Septuagint Iephies, Iaphie): One of the sons of David who were born to him at Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:15 1 Chronicles 3:7; 1 Chronicles 14:6).

James Crichton

JAPHIA (2)

ja-fi'-a, jaf'-i-a (yaphia`): A town on the southern boundary of Zebulun named with Chisloth-tabor and Daberath (Joshua 19:12). It is represented by the modern Yafa, about 1 1/2 miles Southwest of Nazareth, near the foot of the hills. It was one of the places fortified by Josephus (Vita, 45; BJ, II, xx, 6).

3309. Yaphia -- a king of Lachish, also a son of David, also a ...
... a king of Lachish, also a son of David, also a place on the border of Zebulun.
Transliteration: Yaphia Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-fee'-ah) Short Definition: Japhia ...
/hebrew/3309.htm - 6kJaphia (5 Occurrences)
... south-west of Nazareth. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAPHIA (1). ja-fi'-a,
jaf'-ia ... Chronicles 14:6). James Crichton. JAPHIA (2). ja-fi'-a, jaf ...
/j/japhia.htm - 10k

Japhi'a (5 Occurrences)
Japhi'a. Japhia, Japhi'a. Japhlet . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See RSV). 2 Samuel
5:15 and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia; (See RSV). ...
/j/japhi'a.htm - 7k

Nepheg (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Samuel 5:15 and Ibhar, and Elishua,
and Nepheg, and Japhia, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/n/nepheg.htm - 7k

Nogah (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Nogah (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 3:7 and Nogah, and
Nepheg, and Japhia, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/n/nogah.htm - 7k

Lachish (22 Occurrences)
... It was then an Amorite city, and its king, Japhia, joined the confederacy
formed by Adonizedek, king of Jerusalem, to resist Joshua. ...
/l/lachish.htm - 22k

Japheth (12 Occurrences)

/j/japheth.htm - 15k

Kisloth (1 Occurrence)
... Joshua 19:12 It turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrise to the border of Chisloth
Tabor. It went out to Daberath, and went up to Japhia. (See NIV). ...
/k/kisloth.htm - 6k

Jarmuth (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 10:3 Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron,
to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of ...
/j/jarmuth.htm - 11k

Ibhar (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ibhar (3 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 5:15 and Ibhar, and Elishua,
and Nepheg, and Japhia, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/i/ibhar.htm - 7k

Eglon (13 Occurrences)
... Joshua 10:3 Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron,
to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of ...
/e/eglon.htm - 13k

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