חֶפְרִי
𐤇𐤐𐤓𐤉
Cheferi
H2662 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The term חֶפְרִי (Chephri) designates a member of or collectively the descendants of Chepher, an eponymous ancestor mentioned in genealogical lists. It primarily serves as a gentilic or clan-name identifying individuals by their lineage from Chepher.
Semantic Range
a descendant of Chepher, member of the Chepherite clan, Hepherite; designation of lineage within the tribe of Manasseh
Root / Etymology
From the root חֵפֶר (Chepher), itself traceable to the root ח־פ־ר (חפר), which primarily means 'to dig' or 'to search.' The formation חֶפְרִי follows the common gentilic pattern marking association or descent ('-i' suffix). Thus, 'Chephri' means 'of Chepher,' denoting a familial, tribal, or clan relationship. The root meaning (“to dig”) is not semantically active in the gentilic usage, but the base name is built on this root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֶפְרִי occurs in genealogical and clan contexts, most notably in enumerations of the descendants of Manasseh (e.g., Numbers 26:32; Joshua 17:2). In these lists, 'Hepherite' refers to male-line descendants of Chepher/Hepher, forming one of the significant families in tribal organization during the period of Israelite settlement and early monarchy. English translations often render חֶפְרִי as 'Hepherite'; however, this obscures the original function as a clan identifier analogous to 'Chephrite.' The term is not used beyond genealogical formulae and lists; later English terms such as 'Jew' do not apply in this context. The form and function mirror other gentilic entities (e.g., יִשְׂרְאֵלִי 'Israelite'), marking group or tribal identities in early Israelite society. There are no significant shifts in meaning observed across the biblical periods; its usage remains stable as a marker of descent from Chepher.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymically from חֵפֶר; a Chephrite (collectively) or descendants of Chepher; Hepherites.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חפר (ḥ-p-r) — to dig, to search, to bore
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1662 | גַּת־הַחֵפֶר | Digging-one |
| H2658 | חָפַר | he dug |
| H2659 | חָפֵר | she was ashamed |
| H2660 | חֵפֶר | Digging-One |
| H2661 | חֲפֹר | to dig |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2662-01 |
הַֽ/חֶפְרִֽי | hacheferi | HTd/Ngmsa |
of the Hepherite | the Chepherite | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2662-01 |
Numbers 26:32 | הַֽ/חֶפְרִֽי | hacheferi | HTd/Ngmsa |
of the Hepherite | the Chepherite |