נֹפַח
𐤍𐤐𐤇
Nofach
H5302 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Nophach is a toponym (place name) referring to a location east of the Jordan, mentioned in the context of Israelite encounters with Moab in the wilderness wanderings. The word itself denotes a geographical site, not a descriptive feature, though it likely derives from the root suggesting 'blowing' or 'breath.' The precise location is uncertain, and the name does not appear to describe a characteristic of the place, but simply denotes it as a proper noun within geographical listings.
Semantic Range
Nophach (place name in Moab), proper noun; as a derived form: possibly 'blowing' or 'breath' in non-toponymic contexts, though unattested as such in the Hebrew Bible.
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root נָפַח (naphach), 'to blow, breathe'. The toponym is likely formed from this root, but as a proper name, its direct descriptive sense is obscured. There is no evidence that the place name implies an active meaning such as 'Windy Place' or 'Blown.' The root meaning may have influenced the choice of name, but lexical evidence limits us to noting the relationship rather than establishing a functional sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Nophach occurs in Numbers 21:30, within poetic description of Israelite victories during their journey east of the Jordan. The name is listed alongside other Transjordanian sites and is possibly a settlement or region captured from the Amorites or Moabites. The location and later history of the site are unknown. Some later translations and commentaries have speculated on the meaning due to the root, but there is no evidence in the biblical text that the place name retained a descriptive sense. As a toponym, Nophach illustrates how many biblical place names are transparently derived from common roots, but their concrete meanings are often lost or irrelevant by the time of writing.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָפַח; a gust; Nophach, a place in Moab; Nophah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נפח (n-p-ḥ) — to blow, breathe, exhale, puff
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4646 | מַפָּח | final exhalation of |
| H4647 | מַפֻּחַ | forge bellows |
| H5301 | נָפַח | I caused to breathe out |
| H8598 | תַּפּוּחַ | fragrant apples |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5302-01 |
נֹ֔פַח | nofach | HNp |
Nophah | Nophach | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5302-01 |
Numbers 21:30 | נֹ֔פַח | nofach | HNp |
Nophah | Nophach |