Naphish

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Naphish. A son of Ishmael (  Genesis 25:15 =   1 Chronicles 1:31 ). In all probability it is his descendants who are mentioned in   Ezra 2:50 as ‘the children of Nephisim ’ (Rv [Note: Revised Version.] ) or Nephusim (Av [Note: Authorized Version.] and RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ). In the parallel passage (  Nehemiah 7:52 ) the reading is Nephushesim (Rv [Note: Revised Version.] ) or Nephishesim (Av [Note: Authorized Version.] and RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ). The reading in 1Es 5:31 is Nephisi .

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

("refreshment".) The last but one of Ishmael's sons ( Genesis 25:15; Nephish,  1 Chronicles 1:31;  1 Chronicles 5:19-23). Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh made war with Naphish's tribe and were conquerors.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Na'phish. (refreshment). The last but one, of the sons of Ishmael.  Genesis 25:15;  1 Chronicles 1:31.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Son of Ishmael.  Genesis 25:15;  1 Chronicles 1:31 . Called Nephish in  1 Chronicles 5:19 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 25:15 1 Chronicles 1:31 1 Chronicles 5:19

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

Son of Ishmael,  Genesis 25:15,—derived from Naphish, soul.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 25:15 1 Chronicles 1:31

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Naphish', נָפַישׁ , refresher; Sept. Ναφές; Vulg. Naphis), the eleventh named of the twelve sons of Ishmael, patriarch and prince among the Ishmaelites ( Genesis 25:15; Chronicles 1:31). B.C. post 1077. In  1 Chronicles 5:19 (Sept. Ναφισαῖοι, A.V. "Nephesh") the name of the ancestor is given to the tribe descended from him, who are classed among the Hagarites (q.v.), defeated by the transjordanic tribes on their settlement in Canaan. "Naphish, in the three passages in which the name occurs, is grouped with Jetur. Jetur was unquestionably identical with the Greek Itursea and modern Jedur; a small province situated at the eastern base of Hermon, and bordering on Damascus and Bashan. Jetur and Naphish were allies, and apparently dwelt together. The Israelites took from them 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2000 asses. They were manifestly a pastoral people, like the great modern tribes of the Anizeh, some of which have flocks and herds equally numerous. Then, having conquered the people and captured their cattle, we are told that the children of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Beashan unto Baal- Hermon, and Senir, and unto Mount Hermnon. From this it may be concluded that the people of Naphish had a settled home situated between the range of Hermon and Bashan — that is, along the eastern declivities of the mountains." "They have not been identified with any Arabian tribe; but identifications with Ishmaelitish tribes are often difficult. The difficulty in question arises from intermarriages with Keturahites and Joktanites, from the influence of Mohammedan history, and from our ignorance respecting many of the tribes, and the towns and districts, of Arabia. If the Hagarenes went southwards. into the province of Hejr, after their defeat, Naphish may have gone with them, and traces of his name should in this case be looked for in that obscure province of Arabia." They doubtless became afterwards amalgamated with the Ishmaelitish clans, and so lost to late history. (See Arabia).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

nā´fish ( נפישׁ , nāphı̄sh  ; Ναφές , Naphés , D, Ναφέθ , Naphéth ): A son of Ishmael (  Genesis 25:15;  1 Chronicles 1:31 ). Naphish, along with other Hagrite clans, was overwhelmingly defeated by the Israelite tribes on the East of the Jordan ( 1 Chronicles 5:19 , the King James Version "Nephish"). Their descendants are mentioned among the Nethinim by the name "Nephisim," the King James Version and the Revised Version margin "Nephusim" ( Ezra 2:50 ); "Nephushesim," the King James Version and the Revised Version margin "Nephishesim" ( Nehemiah 7:52 ); "Naphisi" (1 Esdras 5:31).