Japhia
“Splendid or shining”
Summary
A name meaning 'splendid,' borne by a Canaanite king defeated by Joshua, a son of David, and a town in Zebulun.
☩King of Lachish
Japhia was king of Lachish who joined the confederacy of five Amorite kings organized by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem against the Gibeonites who had made peace with Israel. After their defeat at the battle of Beth-horon, these kings fled and hid in the cave at Makkedah. Joshua ordered them brought out, had his captains place their feet on their necks as a sign of complete victory, then executed them and hung their bodies on trees until evening.
☩Son of David
A son of David born to him in Jerusalem, though the name of his mother is not recorded. He was among the children born after David moved his capital from Hebron to Jerusalem.
☩Town in Zebulun
A town on the eastern part of the southern boundary of Zebulun, situated on high ground between Daberath and Gath-hepher. The site is identified with modern Yafa, about one and a half miles southwest of Nazareth. This is the same town fortified by Josephus which was later captured by Titus and Trajan under Vespasian's orders, with 15,000 inhabitants killed and over 2,000 taken captive.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Japhia," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Japhia (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Japhia," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.George Morrish, "Japhia," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).