Bible Dictionary
Nephtoah
Nephtoah was a spring marking the boundary between Judah and Benjamin. It is commonly identified with Ain Lifta, northwest of Jerusalem, though another identification has been proposed.
Definition
Nephtoah was a fountain or spring whose waters marked the boundary between Judah and Benjamin. It was an identifiable landmark on the tribal boundary.
Biblical Usage
Nephtoah appears in the descriptions of the borders of Judah and Benjamin. It is called the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah and functions as a boundary marker between the two tribes.
Historical Background
Nephtoah is usually identified with Lifta, northwest of Jerusalem, where there is a copious spring, a masonry reservoir, and ancient rock-cut tombs. Another proposed identification is Ain Atan south-west of Bethlehem, but this creates difficulty for the boundary line.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Opened, a fountain and a stream issuing from it on the border between Judah and Benjamin (Josh. 15:8, 9; 18:15). It has been identified with ‘Ain Lifta, a spring about 2 1/2 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Others, however, have identified it with ‘Ain’ Atan, on the south-west of Bethlehem, whence water is conveyed through “Pilate’s aqueduct” to the Haram area at Jerusalem.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>nef-to'-a, nef'-to-a (nephtoach, occurs only in the expression ma`yan me nephtoach, "the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah"; Septuagint pege hudatos Naphtho): This spring was on the border line between Judah and Benjamin (Jos 15:9; 18:15). The place is usually identified with Lifta, a village about 2 miles Northwest of Jerusalem, on the east bank of the Wady beit Hanina]. It is a village very conspicuous to the traveler along the high road from Jaffa as he nears Jerusalem. There are ancient rock-cut tombs and a copious spring which empties itself into a large masonry reservoir. The situation of Lifta seems to agree well with the most probable line of boundary between the two tribes; the spring as it is today does not appear to be so abundant as to warrant such an expression as "spring of the waters," but it was, like many such sources, probably considerably more abundant in Old Testament times.</p><p>Conder would identify Lifta with the ancient ELEPH (which see) of Benjamin, and, on the ground that the Talmud (see Talmud Babylonian, Yom' 31a) identifies Nephtoah with ETAM (which see), he would find the site of Nephtoah at `Ain `Atan, South of Bethlehem. The Talmud is not a sufficiently trustworthy guide when unsupported by other evidence, and the identification creates great difficulty with the boundary line. See Palestine Exploration Fund, III, 18, 43, Sh XVII.</p><p>E. W. G. Mastermin</p>