Where is Ir-nahash located in the Bible?

Ir-nahash is an ancient city in the region of Judah, mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:12). Its modern location is identified with Dayr Nakhkhas in present-day Israel.

What does the name Ir-nahash mean?

The name Ir-nahash translates to 'City of the Serpent' or 'City of Brass' in Hebrew. It is named after Tehimah, a descendant of Judah, who is described as the father or founder of the city (1 Chronicles 4:12).

Why is Ir-nahash significant in the Bible?

Ir-nahash is significant primarily as a historical marker in the lineage of Judah, showing the tribe's settlement and expansion in the land. Its mention underscores the detailed record of Israel's tribal territories and family histories.

Ir-nahash

cityOld TestamentJudea

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Modern Name

Dayr Nakhkhas

Country

Israel

Region

Judea

Coordinates

31.6325, 35.2105

Ir-nahash is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Dayr Nakhkhas. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.

Biblical History

Ir-nahash, meaning "city of the serpent" or "city of bronze" (nahash can denote either in Hebrew), appears once in Scripture within the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. First Chronicles 4:12 states that Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash, placing the city's founding within the extended clan of Judah. The genealogical context identifies Ir-nahash not merely as a geographical location but as a community founded by a named ancestor, reflecting the common biblical pattern of connecting towns to their founding families. The verse concludes with the phrase "these are the men of Recah," linking Ir-nahash and its sister communities to a broader clan network within Judah. The name's possible connection to "serpent" or "copper/bronze" has led some scholars to speculate that the city may have been associated with metalworking, as copper smelting was practiced in the Judean hill country. Others connect the name to cultic serpent imagery. Ir-nahash's brief mention preserves a glimpse into the web of clan settlements that comprised the social fabric of tribal Judah.

Archaeological & Historical Notes

Ir-nahash has been tentatively identified with Deir Nakhkhas (also written Khirbet Deir Nakhkhas), a site located in the Judean hill country southeast of Beth-shemesh. The preservation of the element "nakhkhas" in the Arabic name supports this identification, as it likely reflects the ancient Hebrew "nahash." The site lies in an area with evidence of Bronze and Iron Age settlement. Some scholars have noted the presence of copper ore deposits in the broader region, which could support the interpretation of Ir-nahash as a metalworking center. Archaeological surveys of the Shephelah and hill country transition zone have documented numerous small settlements from the Iron Age period. However, Deir Nakhkhas itself has not been subject to systematic excavation, and the identification with biblical Ir-nahash, while plausible on linguistic grounds, remains unconfirmed.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:12

Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →

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