חֶפְרִי
a Chephrite (collectively) or descendants of Chepher
Definition
חֶפְרִי (Chephrîy) refers to a member of the clan known as the Hepherites, who were descendants of Hepher, a son of Gilead from the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 26:32). The term is a collective gentilic noun, identifying individuals belonging to this specific family group within the larger tribal structure of Israel. Its sole biblical occurrence is in the context of the second census taken in the plains of Moab, where it lists the Hepherites among the clans of Manasseh. The word serves primarily as an ethnic or familial identifier, with no other attested meanings or applications in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Numbers 26:32. It appears in a genealogical and census list, specifically within the record for the tribe of Manasseh. The usage is strictly as a patronymic, identifying 'the family of the Hepherites' as descendants of Hepher, son of Gilead. There are no other contextual uses or patterns, as it is a proper noun tied to a single familial line.
Etymology
The word is derived patronymically from the proper name חֵפֶר (Chepher, H2660), meaning 'a well' or 'pit'. The suffix -ִי (-î) is a standard Hebrew gentilic ending, meaning 'belonging to' or 'descendant of'. Thus, חֶפְרִי literally means 'of Hepher' or 'belonging to Hepher'. It follows a common biblical pattern for forming family or clan names from a patriarchal ancestor.
Semantic Range
In its original setting, this term functioned as a crucial marker of tribal and clan identity within ancient Israelite society. A person's lineage determined their inheritance rights, social standing, and military obligations. The listing of the Hepherites in the census of Numbers 26 underscores the importance of maintaining detailed genealogical records to preserve land allotments and tribal cohesion as Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land. This contrasts with modern individualistic identity, highlighting the collective, family-based nature of Israel's social structure.
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah, H4940) — A broader term for 'family' or 'clan', whereas חֶפְרִי specifies one particular clan.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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