Bible Dictionary
Naphish
Naphish was a son of Ishmael and the ancestor of an Arab clan. His descendants were among the eastern peoples defeated by Israel and later included among returning temple servants.
Definition
Naphish was a son of Ishmael and ancestor of an Arab tribe or clan. His name is explained as meaning “refreshment” or “refresher.”
Biblical Usage
Naphish is listed among the sons of Ishmael. His descendants are mentioned among the eastern peoples defeated by the Israelite tribes and among the temple servants who returned from exile.
Historical Background
The supplied material associates the clan with the Hagrites east of the Jordan and records related forms such as Nephisim, Nephusim, Nephishesim, and Naphisi.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Refresher, one of the sons of Ishmael (Gen. 25:15; 1 Chr. 1:31). He was the father of an Arab tribe.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(refreshment), the last but one of the sons of Ishmael. (Genesis 25:15; 1 Chronicles 1:31)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>na'-fish (naphish; Naphes, D, Napheth): A son of Ishmael (Ge 25:15; 1Ch 1:31). Naphish, along with other Hagrite clans, was overwhelmingly defeated by the Israelite tribes on the East of the Jordan (1Ch 5:19, the King James Version "Nephish"). Their descendants are mentioned among the Nethinim by the name "Nephisim," the King James Version and the Revised Version margin "Nephusim" (Ezr 2:50); "Nephushesim," the King James Version and the Revised Version margin "Nephishesim" (Ne 7:52); "Naphisi" (1 Esdras 5:31).</p>