Original Word: עָפְנִי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: `Ophniy
Pronunciation: awf-nee
Phonetic Spelling: (of-nee')
KJV: Ophni
NASB: Ophni
Word Origin: [from an unused noun (denoting a place in Israel; from an unused root of uncertain meaning)]

1. an Ophnite (collectively) or inhabitants of Ophen

Ophni

From an unused noun (denoting a place in Palestine; from an unused root of uncertain meaning); an Ophnite (collectively) or inhabitants of Ophen -- Ophni.

Word Origin
from aphal
Definition
a place in Benjamin
NASB Translation
Ophni (1).

עָפְנִי proper name, of a location in Benjamin, ׳הָע Joshua 18:24, ᵐ5^L Αφνη.

עפעף see עוף.

I. עפר (√ of following; meaning dubious; compare Arabic dust, Assyrian epru, epiru, Tel Amarna —aparu and aparu (Canaanite glosses); ᵑ7 עַפְרָא, Syriac ; Late Hebrew עָפָר = Biblical Hebrew).

Name and Meaning

Ophni (עָפְנִי) bears a name that likely refers to fermentation or decay. In biblical thought, such imagery can point to transience and the need for continual renewal before God (Leviticus 2:11). Even the naming of a town with this nuance underscores humanity’s dependence on the Lord to preserve and purify His people.

Biblical Location

The sole occurrence appears in the list of Benjamin’s inheritances: “Ophni, Geba—twelve cities with their villages” (Joshua 18:24). The context situates Ophni north of Jerusalem among a cluster of fortified towns that guarded the central approach to the capital.

Tribal Allotment and Historical Context

1. Covenant Fulfillment: The assignment of Ophni to Benjamin confirms God’s faithfulness to His promise that each tribe would receive a specific inheritance (Genesis 12:7; Joshua 21:43-45).
2. Border Security: Benjamin’s territory formed a buffer between the northern and southern tribes. Towns like Ophni helped secure key roads from Jericho up to the hill country, a strategic line repeatedly contested in Israel’s monarchy (Judges 19; 1 Samuel 13).
3. Post-Exilic Resonance: While Ophni is not named in post-exilic lists, Josephus and later writers reference nearby Gophna, a major administrative center under Rome. Many scholars consider Gophna the evolved site of ancient Ophni, implying continued occupation and relevance through the Second Temple era.

Archaeological and Geographical Considerations

• Proposed Site: Most locate Ophni at modern Jifna (approx. 31°57′N, 35°11′E), about 25 kilometers north of Jerusalem. The terrain fits the Benjaminite hill country: limestone ridges, stepped terraces, and natural defenses.
• Material Culture: Surveys around Jifna reveal Iron Age pottery and foundations consistent with small fortified villages of Joshua’s day, supporting continuity from the conquest period onward.
• Strategic Value: The route passing Ophni linked the Jordan Valley with the highlands, explaining repeated occupation and later Roman interest.

Theological and Ministry Reflections

1. Every Place Counts: Though Scripture mentions Ophni only once, its inclusion in the inspired record demonstrates that no community is overlooked by God. Leaders today should remember that seemingly obscure congregations are still central to His redemptive plan (1 Corinthians 12:22-24).
2. Inheritance Imagery: The land lists in Joshua foreshadow the believer’s eternal inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:11). Just as Ophni had a defined border, every saint is granted an irrevocable portion in the kingdom.
3. Vigilance Against Decay: The probable meaning of the town’s name—related to spoilage—serves as a caution. Israel’s later history shows moral and spiritual decay when vigilance waned (Jeremiah 2:21). The Church must guard against corruption by continual reliance on the Word and Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Lessons for Today

• Faithful Record-Keeping: Carefully cataloging God’s works, as Joshua did, fuels corporate memory and gratitude. Keeping testimonies of local church milestones follows this biblical pattern.
• Strategic Stewardship: Ophni’s placement reminds modern ministries to assess where God situates them for maximum gospel influence—whether along busy corridors or in quiet villages.
• Hope of Restoration: Towns may rise, decline, and rise again, yet the Lord sovereignly weaves each into His story. Believers in forgotten locales can labor with confidence that their work “in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Thus, Ophni stands as a witness to divine faithfulness, strategic wisdom, and the call to holiness amid a changing world—truths as vital for contemporary disciples as for the ancient tribe of Benjamin.

וְהָֽעָפְנִ֖י והעפני vehaafeNi wə·hā·‘ā·p̄ə·nî wəhā‘āp̄ənîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts