Naamathite
Naamathite is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Transjordan in modern-day Israel. Known today as Sheba. It appears across 4 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
The designation "Naamathite" appears in the book of Job as the gentilicname of Zophar, one of Job's three friends. Zophar the Naamathite is mentioned in Job 2:11, 11:1, 20:1, and 42:9. When Zophar heard of Job's afflictions, he traveled with Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite to console and comfort their friend. However, like his companions, Zophar ultimately contributed to Job's suffering by insisting that his calamities must be divine punishment for hidden sin. Zophar's speeches in chapters 11 and 20 are notably sharp, accusing Job of empty talk and warning that the triumph of the wicked is brief. The Naamathite designation indicates Zophar's origin from a place called Naamah, presumably a settlement in or near the land of Uz where Job lived. The location of this Naamah in the Transjordanian region distinguishes it from the Judahite city of the same name in Joshua 15:41. In Job 42:9, Zophar is among those commanded by God to offer sacrifices through Job's intercession after God rebukes the friends for not speaking rightly.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The location of the Naamathite homeland is uncertain and debated. Since Job is associated with the land of Uz, generally placed in the Transjordanian region east of the Jordan or in northern Arabia, the Naamah from which Zophar came is sought in a similar area rather than in the Judean Shephelah. Some scholars associate it with Jebel el Na'ameh in northwestern Arabia, while others look to sites in Edom or the Hauran. No archaeological site has been definitively identified as the Naamathite settlement. The identification with Sheba listed in modern databases is speculative. The broader Transjordanian region has yielded Iron Age settlements consistent with the semi-pastoral cultures depicted in Job's world.
Verse Appearances (4)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →