Original Word: נַעֲרָה
Part of Speech: proper name, of a location; proper name, feminine
Transliteration: Na`arah
Pronunciation: nah-ar-AH
Phonetic Spelling: (nah-ar-aw')
KJV: Naarah, Naarath
NASB: Naarah
Word Origin: [the same as H5291 (נַעֲרָה - girl)]

1. Naarah, the name of an Israelitess, and of a place in Israel

Naarah, Naarath

The same as na'arah; Naarah, the name of an Israelitess, and of a place in Palestine -- Naarah, Naarath.

see HEBREW na'arah

Word Origin
from the same as naar
Definition
an Isr. woman, also a place on the border of Ephraim
NASB Translation
Naarah (4).

II. [נַעֲרָה] proper name, of a location on border of Ephraim — only with ה locative, נַעֲרָ֫תָה Joshua 16:7 (ᵐ5 αἱ Κῶμαι αὐτῶν; ᵐ5^L id. + Αναραθα); apparently = נַעֲרָן, q. v. below; Νοοραθ lay 5 Roman miles from Jericho Lag^{Onom. 283, 11} compare Buhl^{Geogr. 181}.

III. נַעֲרָה proper name, feminine in Judah 1 Chronicles 4:5,6 (twice in verse); ᵐ5 Θωαδα, A Νοορα, ᵐ5^L Νοερα.

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 5292 נַעֲרָה appears four times in the Old Testament, designating both a settlement within the tribal territory of Ephraim and the name of a woman in the lineage of Judah. Though brief, these references help fill out Israel’s geographical map and family records, underscoring the meticulous care with which Scripture preserves covenant history.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Joshua 16:7 situates Naarah between Ataroth and Jericho, on the eastern border of Ephraimite territory: “It went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho, and came out at the Jordan”.
2. 1 Chronicles 4:5–6 twice names Naarah as one of the two wives of Ashhur, “the father of Tekoa,” and lists her sons.

Historical-Geographical Context

The town of Naarah helped define the southeastern boundary of Ephraim. Its proximity to Jericho and the Jordan places it near vital trade routes and the point where Israel first entered the land under Joshua. By marking Naarah, Scripture supplies another verifiable coordinate that affirms the historicity of Israel’s settlement patterns.

Genealogical Significance

In 1 Chronicles, Naarah the woman enhances the Chronicler’s meticulous record of Judah’s descendants. Ashhur’s marriage to Helah and Naarah produced separate lines, the second of which includes Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. Chronicling both wives prevents gaps in tribal genealogies, preserves inheritance rights, and anticipates future leaders emerging from Tekoa—most notably the prophet Amos (Amos 1:1).

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Land. Naming towns such as Naarah reflects God’s fulfillment of His land promises (Joshua 21:43–45). Each border marker testifies that “not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made… failed; everything was fulfilled.”
2. Preservation of Lineage. Chronicles highlights how God works through ordinary families to advance redemptive history. By recording Naarah’s sons, the text affirms that every household, however obscure, has a place in God’s unfolding plan.
3. Female Dignity. While ancient cultures often sidelined women, Scripture repeatedly names women when their roles carry covenant importance. Naarah’s inclusion stands with figures such as Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth, reminding readers that God’s purposes embrace both men and women.

Ministry Application

• Biblical Geography: Teaching the conquest and allotment narratives gains clarity when pastors anchor lessons in real locations like Naarah. Maps and archaeological notes reinforce confidence in scriptural reliability.
• Family Discipleship: The Chronicler’s attention to multiple wives and their offspring invites discussion on God’s original design for marriage while acknowledging His grace amidst human complexity.
• Quiet Faithfulness: Naarah is mentioned only in passing, yet her name is preserved forever in God’s Word. Congregations can take comfort that unseen service is never forgotten by the Lord (Hebrews 6:10).

Summary

Whether as a border town that secured Ephraim’s inheritance or as a mother whose sons extended Judah’s legacy, Naarah contributes to the tapestry of biblical revelation. Her brief appearances remind readers that every place and person recorded in Scripture bears witness to God’s sovereign orchestration of history for the blessing of His people.

וְנַעֲרָ֑תָה וְנַעֲרָֽה׃ ונערה׃ ונערתה נַעֲרָֽה׃ נַעֲרָה֙ נערה נערה׃ na‘ărāh na·‘ă·rāh naaRah venaaRah venaaRatah wə·na·‘ă·rā·ṯāh wə·na·‘ă·rāh wəna‘ărāh wəna‘ărāṯāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts