← H3314 H3316 →

יֶפֶת

𐤉𐤐𐤕

Yefet

H3315 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פתח to open, be spacious, make wide, expand

Definition

Yepheth (Japheth) is a proper noun referring to one of the sons of Noah, traditionally viewed as the progenitor of a broad lineage of peoples. The primary lexical meaning is the personal name Yepheth, with the underlying nuance of 'expansion' connected to its root. Its semantic range includes: (1) a proper name for an individual in genealogical lists and narrative settings; (2) by extension, the descendants or peoples thought to descend from this individual.

Semantic Range

personal name (Japheth/Yepheth), reference to his descendants or related people groups, wordplay on expansion

Root / Etymology

The name יֶפֶת (Yepheth) is generally traced to the Hebrew root פתה (p-t-h), meaning 'to be open' or 'to expand.' The form and vocalization of the name appear irregular when compared to forms directly from the root, which leads some to suggest the etymology is uncertain. However, the expansion theme is reinforced by the narrative wordplay in Genesis 9:27.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, Yepheth (Japheth) is one of Noah’s three sons, appearing prominently in Genesis 5–10, particularly in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10). The list of nations descending from Japheth in Genesis 10:2–5 was historically understood to include many maritime, Anatolian, and northern peoples—distinct from the lineages traced through Shem (the ancestors of various Shemitic, i.e., Semitic, groups) and Ham (representing various southerly populations). The significance of his name is used in Genesis 9:27 in a pun relating to expansion or enlargement, though this does not necessarily describe historical identity or characteristics beyond the literary motif. In post-biblical Jewish and Christian exegetical traditions, Japheth's descendants were often identified with non-Semitic, often Indo-European language populations, but these associations reflect interpretive frameworks much later than the biblical text. English translations often use 'Japheth' as the standardized form. No later Israelite, Judahite, or Judean usage of this name is attested; its occurrence is limited to genealogical or narrative contexts relating to pre-flood and immediately post-flood generations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from פָּתָה; expansion; Jepheth, a son of Noah; also his posterity; Japheth.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

פתח (p-t-ḥ) — to open, be spacious, make wide, expand

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3316 יִפְתָּח to He-Will-Open
H4668 מַפְתֵּחַ the opener
H4669 מִפְתָּח the opening
H5318 נֶפְתּוֹחַ Opening-Spring
H6596 פֹּת their intimate opening

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3315-05 יֶ֔פֶת yefet HNp Japheth Yepheth the Expansive 3
H3315-02 וָ/יָ֑פֶת vayafet HC/Np and Japheth and Yepheth 3
H3315-04 יָֽפֶת yafet HNp Japheth Yepheth the Expansive 2
H3315-03 וָ/יֶ֖פֶת vayefet HC/Np and Japheth And Yepheth 2
H3315-01 לְ/יֶ֔פֶת leyefet HR/Np Japheth to Yepheth 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3315-04 Genesis 5:32 יָֽפֶת yafet HNp Japheth Yepheth the Expansive
H3315-04 Genesis 6:10 יָֽפֶת yafet HNp Japheth Yepheth the Expansive
H3315-03 Genesis 7:13 וָ/יֶ֖פֶת vayefet HC/Np and Japheth And Yepheth
H3315-02 Genesis 9:18 וָ/יָ֑פֶת vayafet HC/Np and Japheth and Yepheth
H3315-03 Genesis 9:23 וָ/יֶ֜פֶת vayefet HC/Np and Japheth And Yepheth
H3315-01 Genesis 9:27 לְ/יֶ֔פֶת leyefet HR/Np Japheth to Yepheth
H3315-02 Genesis 10:1 וָ/יָ֑פֶת vayafet HC/Np and Japheth and Yepheth
H3315-05 Genesis 10:2 יֶ֔פֶת yefet HNp Japheth Yepheth the Expansive
H3315-05 Genesis 10:21 יֶ֥פֶת yefet HNp of Japheth Yepheth the Expansive
H3315-02 1 Chronicles 1:4 וָ/יָֽפֶת vayafet HC/Np and Japheth and Yepheth
← H3314 Hebrew Lexicon H3316 →