Lexical Summary
Nepheth: Height, elevation, prominence
Original Word:נֶפֶת
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:nepheth
Pronunciation:NEH-feth
Phonetic Spelling:(neh'-feth)
KJV: country
NASB:Napheth
Word Origin:[forH5299 (נָפָה - sieve)]
1. a height
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
country
Fornaphah; a height -- country.
see HEBREWnaphah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
nophDefinition"height," a city belonging to Manasseh
NASB TranslationNapheth (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] id.; — only
Joshua 17:11 (but read perhaps, from foregoing, see Di; , A. ,
L , compare
Joshua 12:23 [above below II.]
L . —
honey, see .
see I..
Topical Lexicon
Geographic Scopeנֶפֶת designates a trio of elevated districts in the Carmel-Megiddo corridor of northern Canaan. The single biblical reference (Joshua 17:11) links these uplands with well-known fortified towns: Dor on the coastal plain, Endor on the Hill of Moreh, Taanach and Megiddo at the mouth of the Jezreel Valley, along with Beth-shean and Ibleam to the east. Together they form a strategic arc controlling the maritime highway (Via Maris) and the passes between the Sharon plain, Mount Carmel, and the Valley of Jezreel.
Placement in the Tribal Allotments
Although the districts lie amid the territories of Issachar and Asher, they were assigned to the western half-tribe of Manasseh when Joshua apportioned the land. “Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had… the residents of Dor, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo… —the three lands” (Joshua 17:11). The unusual arrangement reflects both the military prowess of Manasseh’s Josephite lineage and the political necessity of securing the approaches to the central highlands that Ephraim and Manasseh would occupy.
Military and Economic Importance
1. Trade routes: The uplands of נֶפֶת overlook junctions where caravans moved grain, wine, and oil between Egypt, Phoenicia, and the inland kingdoms.
2. Fortifications: Megiddo, Taanach, and Dor each possessed monumental walls and water systems. Control of the heights meant mastery of the valleys below.
3. Agriculture: The terraced slopes received Mediterranean rainfall and produced olives and vineyards in contrast to the rich grain fields of the Jezreel plain, giving Manasseh a diversified economy.
Historical Trajectory
• Conquest era: Manasseh “could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities, for the Canaanites were determined to remain in that land” (Joshua 17:12). Iron-chariot technology and the defensible terrain delayed full occupation.
• Judges period: Deborah and Barak fought “by Taanach by the waters of Megiddo” (Judges 5:19), showing the districts still contested.
• Monarchy: Solomon later fortified Megiddo and Dor (1 Kings 4:11–12; 9:15), integrating נֶפֶת into his administrative network and turning Dor into a royal port.
• Later history: Assyrian and then Persian governors capitalized on the same topography, underscoring the ongoing value Scripture ascribes to the region.
Theological Themes
Inheritance and obedience: נֶפֶת illustrates the already-but-not-yet dynamic of Israel’s possession. Manasseh received the promise, yet faith and perseverance were required to occupy what was legally theirs (Joshua 17:14-18).
Spiritual warfare: The iron chariots of Megiddo symbolize entrenched opposition. God’s people learn that divine commission overrides technological or cultural intimidation (cf.2 Corinthians 10:4).
Covenant faithfulness: Later prophets recalled Carmel, Megiddo, and Dor when warning Israel against idolatry and injustice (Amos 1:2;Hosea 14:7), reminding readers that fertile, strategic locations are a stewardship, not a guarantee of blessing.
Ministry Applications
• Claiming God-given territory: Like Manasseh’s unoccupied נֶפֶת, modern believers may leave portions of their calling untaken because obstacles appear formidable.Joshua 17 encourages stepping forward in faith, trusting God’s adequacy.
• Strategic intercession: The heights controlled movement across the land; similarly, key cultural “high places” today (media, education, commerce) warrant intentional prayer and engagement.
• Holistic discipleship: נֶפֶת’s mix of agriculture, trade, and defense models integrated stewardship. Christians are called to cultivate economic, civic, and spiritual spheres under Christ’s lordship.
Summary
Though mentioned only once, נֶפֶת interlocks geography, history, and theology. The “three heights” guarded Israel’s northern heartland, challenged Manasseh’s obedience, and became a stage on which God’s sovereignty over nations, armies, and economies was displayed. Its legacy urges the church to embrace promised inheritance, confront formidable strongholds, and steward strategic places for the glory of God.
Forms and Transliterations
הַנָּֽפֶת׃ הנפת׃ han·nā·p̄eṯ hanNafet hannāp̄eṯ
Links
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