Ophni
עָפְנִי/OF-ny/
“Possibly pressure or the Ophnite”
Summary
Ophni was a town in the territory of Benjamin, later identified with the important city of Gophna mentioned by Josephus.
☩Location
Ophni was a town in the northeastern section of Benjamin, mentioned only in Joshua's listing of Benjamite cities. The name may indicate that the town was originally founded by a non-Israelite tribe, the Ophnites. The site is likely the Gophna mentioned by Josephus, which at the time of Vespasian's invasion was second only to Jerusalem in importance, serving as the center of a toparchy or district. Eusebius places it fifteen Roman miles from Jerusalem on the road to Neapolis. The modern site of Jifneh may correspond to this location.
Key verses:Joshua 18:24
Related Verses1 mention
Joshua· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ophni," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ophni," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).