Nephtoah is a location mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the context of the territorial boundaries of the tribes of Israel. The name "Nephtoah" is derived from the Hebrew word "נֶפְתּוֹחַ" (Nephtoach), which is believed to mean "opening" or "spring."

Biblical References:

1. Joshua 15:9 : "From the top of the mountain the boundary extended to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then turned toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim)."

2. Joshua 18:15 : "On the west side, the border began at the edge of Kiriath-jearim, ran westward to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah."

In these passages, Nephtoah is described as a significant landmark in the delineation of the tribal territories of Judah and Benjamin. The "spring of the waters of Nephtoah" served as a geographical marker in the boundary descriptions, indicating its importance in the ancient landscape of Israel.

Geographical Significance:

Nephtoah is identified as a spring, suggesting it was a source of water, which would have been a critical resource in the arid regions of ancient Israel. The exact location of Nephtoah is not definitively known today, but it is generally believed to have been situated near the modern-day city of Jerusalem, possibly in the vicinity of Lifta, a village located northwest of the city.

Historical and Theological Context:

In the biblical narrative, the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel was a fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The detailed descriptions of boundaries, including landmarks like Nephtoah, underscore the importance of land inheritance in Israel's history and theology. The land was not only a physical inheritance but also a spiritual one, representing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.

The mention of Nephtoah in the context of tribal boundaries highlights the meticulous care with which the land was apportioned among the tribes, ensuring that each tribe received its allotted inheritance. This division was carried out under the leadership of Joshua, who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:

While the precise identification of Nephtoah remains uncertain, archaeological and geographical studies continue to explore the ancient landscapes of Israel to better understand the historical context of biblical sites. The study of ancient springs and water sources provides valuable insights into the settlement patterns and daily life of the people in biblical times.

In summary, Nephtoah serves as a testament to the historical and theological significance of the land in the biblical narrative, marking the boundaries of the tribes and symbolizing the fulfillment of divine promises to the people of Israel.Opened, a fountain and a stream issuing from it on the border between Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:8, 9; 18:15). It has been identified with `Ain Lifta, a spring about 2 1/2 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Others, however, have identified it with `Ain' Atan, on the south-west of Bethlehem, whence water is conveyed through "Pilate's aqueduct" to the Haram area at Jerusalem. NEPHTOAH

nef-to'-a, nef'-to-a (nephtoach, occurs only in the expression ma`yan me nephtoach, "the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah"; Septuagint pege hudatos Naphtho): This spring was on the border line between Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:9; Joshua 18:15). The place is usually identified with Lifta, a village about 2 miles Northwest of Jerusalem, on the east bank of the Wady beit Hanina. It is a village very conspicuous to the traveler along the high road from Jaffa as he nears Jerusalem. There are ancient rock-cut tombs and a copious spring which empties itself into a large masonry reservoir. The situation of Lifta seems to agree well with the most probable line of boundary between the two tribes; the spring as it is today does not appear to be so abundant as to warrant such an expression as "spring of the waters," but it was, like many such sources, probably considerably more abundant in Old Testament times.

Conder would identify Lifta with the ancient ELEPH (which see) of Benjamin, and, on the ground that the Talmud (see Talmud Babylonian, Yom' 31a) identifies Nephtoah with ETAM (which see), he would find the site of Nephtoah at `Ain `Atan, South of Bethlehem. The Talmud is not a sufficiently trustworthy guide when unsupported by other evidence, and the identification creates great difficulty with the boundary line. See Palestine Exploration Fund, III, 18, 43, Sh XVII.

E. W. G. Mastermin

5318. Nephtoach -- a place on the border of Judah and Benjamin
... Nephtoach. 5319 . a place on the border of Judah and Benjamin. Transliteration:
Nephtoach Phonetic Spelling: (nef-to'-akh) Short Definition: Nephtoah. ...
/hebrew/5318.htm - 6k

Concerning the Gates and Chambers Lying on the South Side of the ...
... the court three and twenty cubits."""And I think (saith the author of the Gloss),
that the fountain Etam was the same with the waters of Nephtoah, of which ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 31 concerning the gates.htm

On the Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead; He Ascended into ...
... To our right is the pleasant spot that marks the ancient Nephtoah, [6272] on
the border of Judah, now occupied by the village of Lifta. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii on the third.htm

Nephtoah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NEPHTOAH. nef-to'-a, nef'-to-a (nephtoach,
occurs only in the expression ma`yan me nephtoach, "the ...
/n/nephtoah.htm - 9k

Nephto'ah (2 Occurrences)
Nephto'ah. Nephtoah, Nephto'ah. Nephushesim . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). Nephtoah, Nephto'ah. Nephushesim . Reference Bible.
/n/nephto'ah.htm - 7k

Ephron (13 Occurrences)
... Ephron: The border of Judah is described (Joshua 15:9): "It went out to the cities
of Mount Ephron." The position will depend on that of Nephtoah and of Kiriath ...
/e/ephron.htm - 13k

Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... the following conditions: (1) It must harmonize with the boundary line of Judah
and Benjamin between two known points-the "waters of Nephtoah," very generally ...
/k/kiriath-jearim.htm - 19k

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:9 And the border was drawn from the top of the mountain unto the fountain
of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and ...
/k/kir'iath-je'arim.htm - 11k

Kiriath (34 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:9 The border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the
waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the ...
/k/kiriath.htm - 17k

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:9 and the border reached along from the top of the mountain toward the
spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out toward the cities of mount ...
/k/kirjath-jearim.htm - 13k

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:9 And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain
of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the ...
/k/kirjathjearim.htm - 13k

Jearim (19 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:9 The border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the
waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the ...
/j/jearim.htm - 13k

Nephthar

/n/nephthar.htm - 8k

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