Riphath רִיפַת

Male Early Patriarch H7384B 2 books

Son of Gomer, grandson of Japheth

Who is Riphath in the Bible?

Riphath was a son of Gomer and grandson of Japheth, appearing in the genealogical records of Genesis 10:3 and 1 Chronicles 1:6. He is listed in the Table of Nations alongside his brothers Ashkenaz and Togarmah, representing one of the family lines descended from Noah after the Great Flood. While the biblical text provides minimal detail about Riphath himself, scholars have speculated that his descendants may have been associated with ancient peoples of Asia Minor or Europe, though these identifications remain uncertain. Riphath's inclusion in the Table of Nations demonstrates the biblical framework for understanding the distribution of human populations in the ancient world and the genealogical connections between Noah's descendants and the nations that emerged after the flood.

Biography

Riphath is mentioned in Gen.10.3 and 1Ch.1.6 as one of the sons of Gomer, who was a son of Japheth. He is listed alongside his brothers Ashkenaz and Togarmah in the Table of Nations, which records the descendants of Noah's sons after the Great Flood (Gen.10.1-32). The descendants of Japheth are generally associated with the peoples of Europe and Asia Minor. While the exact identity and location of the People from Riphath are uncertain, some scholars have proposed connections with the Riphean Mountains, a legendary mountain range mentioned by classical authors, or with the Paphlagonians, an ancient people who lived in the northern part of Asia Minor. However, these identifications remain speculative due to the limited information provided in the biblical text. The inclusion of Riphath in the Table of Nations highlights the diversity of peoples and nations that emerged from the descendants of Noah and their dispersal across the earth after the Flood.

Family

In Scripture

2 biblical books ; 1 with study content
Genesis 1 verse
1 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 1 Chronicles 1:6

    "The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew רִיפַת
Spelled Hebrew דִּיפַת
Encyclopedia Article

Riphath

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

an) read DIPHATH (which see)). Josephus (Ant., I, vi, 1) identifies the Ripheans with the Paphlagonians, through whose country on the Black Sea ran the river "Rhebas" (Pliny, NH, vi.4).

riz'-ing (se'eth, "a tumor," "swelling" (Le 13:2,10, etc.)).

See LEPROSY.

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