Naphtuhim נַפְתֻּחִים
Descendants of Mizraim, son of Ham
Who is Naphtuhim in the Bible?
Naphtuhim was a people group descended from Mizraim, the son of Ham, according to Genesis 10:13 and 1 Chronicles 1:11. Listed in the Table of Nations, the Naphtuhim inhabited northern Egypt, likely in the Nile delta region, though their exact location remains uncertain. As descendants of Mizraim, who was the ancestor of the Egyptian people, the Naphtuhim were one of several ethnic groups that made up ancient Egyptian civilization. Beyond their mention in the genealogical records, the Bible provides no further details about their history or culture, and they presumably assimilated into the broader Egyptian population over time. Their inclusion in the Table of Nations underscores the biblical account's interest in documenting the distribution of human peoples after the flood of Noah.
Biography
The Naphtuhim are mentioned in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10) as one of the peoples descending from Mizraim, son of Ham (Gen.10.13, 1 Chronicles Gen.1.11). Mizraim was the ancestor of the Egyptians, so the Naphtuhim were one of the people groups that inhabited Egypt. Their exact location is uncertain, but some scholars place them in the Nile delta region of northern Egypt. No other details are given about their history or culture in the Bible. The Naphtuhim likely assimilated into Egyptian civilization over time.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Ludim Early PatriarchEarly nationSon of Mizraim; progenitor of a people groupView full profile →
- Anamim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendants of Mizraim, son of HamView full profile →
- Lehabim Early PatriarchEarly nationSon of Mizraim; progenitor of a people groupView full profile →
- Pathrusim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendants of Mizraim, son of HamView full profile →
- Casluhim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendants of Mizraim, ancestor of PhilistinesView full profile →
- Caphtorim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendants of Mizraim who displaced the AvvimView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 10:13
"Mizraim was the father of the Ludites, the Anamites, the Lehabites, the Naphtuhites,"
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:11
"Mizraim was the father of the Ludites, the Anamites, the Lehabites, the Naphtuhites,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Hebrew | נַפְתֻּחִים |
Naphtuhim
t or a dependency of Egypt. Among the many efforts at identification the following deserve notice: Naphtuhim equals (1) Nephthys (Nephthus) in the Northeast of Egypt; (2) Na-ptah, i.e. the people of Ptah, the dwellers in the neighborhood of Memphis; (3) Nathu (according to Herodotus, Natho), which occurs in Assurbanipal's Annals as the name of a part of Lower Egypt; (4) Erman (ZATW, X, 118), by the change of a letter, reads Petemhim, which signifies "The Northland"; (5) Spiegelberg sees in the word an old designation of the Delta, and would therefore render the name, "the people of the Delta" (compare Johns, HDB; Skinner and Holzinger on Genesis).
John A. Lees
nap'-kin (soudarion; Latin sudarium): In Lu 19:20, the cloth in which the "unprofitable servant" wrapped the money of his lord; compare Joh 11:44</r