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וׇפְסִי

𐤅𐤐𐤎𐤉

Vfesi

H2058 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יסף to add, to increase, to continue

Definition

A proper noun designating Vophsi, an Israelite individual identified in the wilderness period as the father of Nahbi, the Naphtalite explorer sent to survey Canaan (Num 13:14). The lexical meaning likely pertains to 'additional' or 'increase,' reflecting a possible personal quality or familial expectation, but it functions exclusively as a personal name in biblical usage.

Semantic Range

(personal name) Vophsi, father of Nahbi; possibly 'increaser' or 'added one' as an aspirational or descriptive meaning in personal naming traditions

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root יָסַף (y-s-f), meaning 'to add, increase.' The specific form וׇפְסִי ('Vophsi') is irregular, possibly incorporating a prosthetic vav and a suffixed -i, a common personalizing ending in Hebrew names. The route from the root to the personal name form is not morphologically transparent; thus, etymology uncertain beyond the association with 'y-s-f.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Vophsi appears only as a personal name in the Hebrew Bible, specifically as the father of Nahbi of the tribe of Naphtali, listed among the leaders sent to scout Canaan during the wilderness narrative. The meaning of the name may be linked conceptually to increase or addition, which aligns with other theophoric or aspirational Hebrew personal names. There is no indication in the biblical text that the name carries broader semantic scope beyond personal designation. English translations typically render the name as 'Vophsi,' sometimes 'Vophsi the Naphtalite,' but the Hebrew does not suggest any specific geographic or religious connotation beyond familial lineage. The root appears elsewhere in Hebrew in verbs and nouns related to addition or increase but not as a personal designation except in this instance. The name does not recur in later historical or religious literature and is distinctive to the wilderness narrative.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from יָסַף; additional; Vophsi, an Israelite; Vophsi.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יסף (y-s-f) — to add, to increase, to continue

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3084 יְהוֹסֵף in Yehoseph
H3130 יוֹסֵף to Yoseph-He-adds
H3131 יוֹסִפְיָה Yahweh adds
H3254 יָסַף I will add further
H3255 יְסַף she was added

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2058-01 וָפְסִֽי vafesi HNp of Vophsi Increaser 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2058-01 Numbers 13:14 וָפְסִֽי vafesi HNp of Vophsi Increaser
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