{
  "id": "dict_003972",
  "term": "Netophah",
  "slug": "netophah",
  "letter": "N",
  "entry_type": "biblical_place_name",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Netophah was a town or settlement in Judah, likely near Bethlehem, remembered for its people among David’s warriors and the exiles who returned to Jerusalem.",
  "simple_one_line": "A small town in Judah mentioned in connection with David’s men and postexilic returnees.",
  "tooltip_text": "A biblical place in Judah, probably near Bethlehem, associated with the Netophathites.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Netophathites",
    "Bethlehem",
    "Judah",
    "David’s mighty men",
    "Return from exile"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Bethlehem",
    "Netophathites",
    "David’s mighty men",
    "Ezra",
    "Nehemiah"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Netophah is a biblical place-name in Judah, apparently a small settlement near Bethlehem. Scripture mentions people from Netophah among David’s mighty men and among those who returned from exile.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Netophah was a town in Judah, likely near Bethlehem.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Biblical place-name, not a doctrine or theological concept. • Linked with the Netophathites, including men associated with David’s warriors. • Also appears in postexilic lists of returnees."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Netophah was a settlement in Judah, probably near Bethlehem. Biblical references connect its inhabitants, the Netophathites, with David’s warriors and with those who returned from exile. Its significance is primarily geographical and historical rather than theological.",
  "description_academic_full": "Netophah is a biblical place-name, apparently a small settlement in Judah and likely located near Bethlehem. The Old Testament refers to men from this place as Netophathites, including individuals associated with David’s mighty men, and later lists sons of Netophah among the returnees from exile. Scripture does not attach a major doctrinal theme to Netophah itself; its importance is mainly historical and geographical as part of Israel’s tribal and postexilic setting. Because it names a location rather than a theological concept, it is best treated as a biblical geography entry.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Netophah appears in narrative and genealogical settings. It is associated with David’s military circle and later with the restored community after the exile, showing continuity between preexilic Judah and the postexilic remnant.",
  "background_historical_context": "The location is usually identified as a small settlement in the hill country of Judah, probably near Bethlehem. Like many minor biblical towns, it is known mainly through the people who came from it rather than through major events that occurred there.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Ancient Israel often identified people by their town or clan origin. The designation Netophathite reflects that pattern, linking individuals to their homeland within Judah’s tribal landscape.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "2 Samuel 23:28-29",
    "1 Chronicles 2:54",
    "1 Chronicles 9:16",
    "Ezra 2:22",
    "Nehemiah 7:26"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "2 Samuel 23:28-29 (Netophathites among David’s warriors)",
    "Ezra 2:22 and Nehemiah 7:26 (sons of Netophah among the returnees)."
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The name is Hebrew in origin and is rendered in English transliteration as Netophah; related forms include Netophathite(s) for inhabitants of the place.",
  "theological_significance": "Netophah has little direct theological content of its own, but it contributes to the Bible’s concrete historical geography and to the record of God preserving a remnant through exile and return.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a place-name, Netophah illustrates how Scripture grounds theology in real history, locations, families, and communities rather than in abstract ideas alone.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not read major doctrinal meaning into Netophah itself. Its significance comes from its role in the historical narrative, not from symbolic or allegorical claims.",
  "major_views_note": "Most interpreters treat Netophah as a minor Judahite settlement, probably near Bethlehem. Exact location is uncertain, but its biblical identification as a place is clear.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "Netophah should not be treated as a theological term, doctrine, or spiritual symbol beyond its historical role in Scripture.",
  "practical_significance": "Netophah reminds readers that God’s redemptive work unfolds in real places and among ordinary communities, including those preserved through exile and restoration.",
  "meta_description": "Netophah was a town in Judah, likely near Bethlehem, mentioned in connection with David’s warriors and postexilic returnees.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/netophah/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/netophah.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}