Bible Dictionary
Chephirah
Chephirah was one of the four Gibeonite cities whose inhabitants made a covenant with Joshua. It belonged to Benjamin and was inhabited again after the return from Babylon.
Definition
Chephirah was one of the four Gibeonite cities whose Hivite inhabitants made an alliance with Joshua by guile. It belonged to Benjamin and was reoccupied after the return from Babylon.
Biblical Usage
Chephirah appears in the account of the Gibeonite alliance, in the territorial list of Benjamin, and among the towns resettled after the exile.
Historical Background
The town is identified with modern Kefireh, southwest of Gibeon and north of Karyat el-Anab. It stands on high ground and has ancient remains.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Village, one of the four cities of the Gibeonitish Hivites with whom Joshua made a league (9:17). It belonged to Benjamin. It has been identified with the modern Kefireh, on the west confines of Benjamin, about 2 miles west of Ajalon and 11 from Jerusalem.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(the hamlet), one of the four cities of the Gibeonites, (Joshua 9:17) named afterwards among the towns of Benjamin. (Ezra 2:25; Nehemiah 7:29)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ke-fi'-ra (ha-kephirah; Codex Vaticanus, Kapheira (Jos 9); Codex Alexandrinus has Chepheira, Codex Vaticanus has kai Pheira (Jos 18)): One of the cities of the Hivites who by guile made alliance with Israel (Jos 9:17). It was in the lot of Benjamin (Jos 18:26), and was reoccupied after the return from Babylon (Ezr 2:25; Ne 7:29). It is represented by the modern Kefireh, to the Southwest of Gibeon, and North of Karyat el-`Anab. It stands on high ground, with many ancient remains.</p>