Original Word: יָפִיעַ
Part of Speech: proper name, person and location; proper name, of a location
Transliteration: Yaphiya`
Pronunciation: yah-FEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-fee'-ah)
KJV: Japhia
NASB: Japhia
Word Origin: [from H3313 (יָפַע - shine)]

1. bright
2. Japhia, the name of a Canaanite, an Israelite, and a place in Israel

Japhia

From yapha'; bright; Japhia, the name of a Canaanite, an Israelite, and a place in Palestine -- Japhia.

see HEBREW yapha'

Word Origin
from yapha
Definition
a king of Lachish, also a son of David, also a place on the border of Zebulun
NASB Translation
Japhia (5).

יָפִיעַ proper name, person and location 1. masculine person (compare Sabean יפעאל Hal¹⁵⁰) —

a. a king of Lachish Joshua 10:3, ᵐ5 Ιεφθα, A ᵐ5^L Ιαφ(α)ιε.

b. a son of David 2 Samuel 5:15 (ᵐ5 Ιεφιες, ᵐ5^L Ναφεθ) = 1 Chronicles 3:7 (ᵐ5 Ιανουε A Ιαφιε, ᵐ5^L Αχικαμ) = 1 Chronicles 14:6 (ᵐ5 Ιανουου, A Ιαφιε, ᵐ5^L Ιαβεγ).

2. proper name, of a location on border of Zebulun Joshua 19:12, perhaps = modern Yâfa, 1/2 hour from Nazareth, Rob^{BR ii. 343 f}, but ᵐ5 Φαγγαι, Ιαφαψαὶ ᵐ5^L Ιαφφιε.

Etymological Sense and Summary

יָפִיעַ (Yaphia) conveys the ideas of shining, splendor, or brightness. Scripture applies the name to three distinct subjects: a Canaanite king, a town allotted to the tribe of Zebulun, and a son of King David. Each setting highlights God’s sovereignty over nations, land, and lineage.

Yaphia, King of Lachish (Joshua 10:3)

Yaphia appears first in the record of the southern coalition of Canaanite kings who rose against Gibeon after its treaty with Israel. “Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon” (Joshua 10:3). Lachish was a fortified city guarding approaches from the southwest toward the Judean highlands. By identifying Yaphia by name, Scripture personalizes Israel’s conflict and underscores Yahweh’s judgment on specific leaders opposing His covenant people (Joshua 10:11 - 26). Archaeology later confirmed Lachish’s military prominence, as attested by Assyrian reliefs of Sennacherib’s siege (circa 701 BC), reinforcing the biblical picture of the city’s strategic importance and the significance of its earlier defeat under Joshua.

Yaphia, Border Town of Zebulun (Joshua 19:12)

In the tribal allotments, Yaphia marks a western point on Zebulun’s boundary: “From Sarid it went westward to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, and reached the brook east of Jokneam. It turned eastward from Sarid toward the sunrise to the territory of Chisloth-tabor, went on to Daberath, and up to Japhia” (Joshua 19:12 - 13). Situated near present-day Yafa just southwest of Nazareth, the site anchored the inheritance of Zebulun between coastal trade routes and the Jezreel Valley. Its placement highlights God’s faithfulness in granting Israel specific, identifiable territory, demonstrating the concrete fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs (Genesis 12:7).

Yaphia, Son of David (2 Samuel 5:15; 1 Chronicles 3:7; 1 Chronicles 14:6)

“Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia” (2 Samuel 5:14-15). Born in Jerusalem after David captured the city, Yaphia belonged to the generation through whom the Davidic covenant would be perpetuated (2 Samuel 7:12-16). While Scripture records no separate exploits of Yaphia, his inclusion among David’s sons serves several purposes:

• It authenticates the historical accuracy of the royal genealogy preserved in both Samuel and Chronicles.
• It testifies to the expansion and stability of David’s house in Jerusalem, contrasting with Saul’s dwindling line.
• It provides yet another link in the ancestral chain leading to the Messiah, who would ultimately fulfill the “shining” significance implicit in the name (Malachi 4:2; John 1:9).

Theological and Ministry Reflections

1. Divine Sovereignty over Rulers: Yaphia of Lachish stands as an example of earthly power subordinated to God’s redemptive plan. Ministry application—leaders who resist God’s purposes ultimately fall; those who submit share in His triumph.

2. Assurance of Promised Inheritance: The town of Yaphia anchors geographic fidelity. Believers may trust that every promise of God, however detailed, will stand true (2 Corinthians 1:20).

3. Continuity of Covenant Lineage: The inclusion of Yaphia in David’s progeny supports the unbroken line culminating in Jesus Christ. For ministry, genealogies encourage confidence in the historical reliability of redemption history.

Conclusion

Though briefly mentioned, the five occurrences of יָפִיעַ collectively illuminate God’s dealings with nations, land, and lineage. From the downfall of a Canaanite monarch to the delineation of tribal inheritance and the growth of Israel’s royal house, Yaphia’s “shining” name points ultimately to the greater light of divine faithfulness manifested in Christ, “the true Light who gives light to every man” (John 1:9).

וְיָפִֽיעַ׃ ויפיע׃ יָפִ֧יעַ יָפִֽיעַ׃ יפיע יפיע׃ veyaFia wə·yā·p̄î·a‘ wəyāp̄îa‘ yā·p̄î·a‘ yaFia yāp̄îa‘Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts