A Canaanite city conquered by Joshua; later a Solomonic district.
Hepher
Named in 2 verses across 2 books, first in Joshua 12:17.
חֵ֫פֶרHepher
The name means “a digger.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Hepher Written by AI
Hepher was a Canaanite city mentioned in the Old Testament. It first appears in Joshua 12:17 as one of the cities conquered by Joshua and the Israelites during their campaign to take possession of the Promised Land. The city was ruled by a king, who was defeated along with other Canaanite rulers. The exact location of Hepher is not specified in the Bible, but it was likely situated in the northern part of Canaan, as it is listed among other cities in that region, such as Tappuah and Aphek. Hepher is mentioned again in 1Ki.4.10, where it is described as part of a district under Solomon's rule. The passage lists the twelve officers who were appointed to provide food for King Solomon and his household, each responsible for a specific region. The district that included Hepher was overseen by the son of Hesed. The fact that Hepher was a city with its own king during the time of Joshua and later became part of a district under Solomon's rule suggests that it was a place of some significance. However, the Bible does not provide any further details about the city's history, size, or importance. The mention of Hepher in the biblical text serves to highlight the extent of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership and the later organization of the kingdom under Solomon's reign. It also demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites as an inheritance.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Hepher, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
A well or stream. (1.) A royal city of the Canaanites taken by Joshua (12:17).
(2.) The youngest son of Gilead (Num. 26:32; 27:1).
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(3.) The second son of Asher (1 Chr. 4:6).
(4.) One of David’s heroes (1 Chr. 11:36).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
32.367, 34.883 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- Joshua 12:17
the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
- 1 Kings 4:10
Ben-hesed in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher belonged to him);
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.