Chephirah

A town in the territory of Benjamin; one of the four Hivite cities that made a covenant with Joshua (Joshua 9:17–18).

About Chephirah

An ancient city where the Hivite people lived. The city became part of Israelite territory through an unusual agreement. The people of Gibeon (a nearby city) tricked Joshua and the Israelites into making peace with them when the Israelites were conquering the land of Canaan (Joshua 9:17).

Later, the city became part of the land given to the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Joshua 18:26). Many years later, after the Jewish people returned from being forced to live in Babylon, some people came back to live in Chephirah (Ezra 2:25; Nehemiah 7:29).

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Key References

Joshua 9:17

So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

Nehemiah 7:29

the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;

All Scripture References (4)

Joshua (2)
Joshua 9:17

So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

Joshua 18:26

Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,

Ezra (1)
Ezra 2:25

the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;

Nehemiah (1)
Nehemiah 7:29

the men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743;