Ephai
עֵיפַי/EE-fay/
“Gloomy or languid”
Summary
A Netophathite whose sons were among the military captains who remained in Judah after the Babylonian deportation and were later massacred with Gedaliah.
☩Historical Context
Ephai was a Netophathite (from Netophah near Bethlehem) whose sons were among the 'captains of the forces' left in Judah after Nebuchadnezzar's deportation of the people to Babylon. These military leaders assembled at Mizpah with Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon, and submitted to his authority. They warned Gedaliah of the conspiracy against him, but he dismissed their concerns. They were apparently massacred along with Gedaliah when Ishmael son of Nethaniah treacherously killed the governor.
Key verses:Jeremiah 40:8Jeremiah 40:13-16Jeremiah 41:3
Related Verses1 mention
Jeremiah· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ephai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).