אֲפֵק
a.pheq
Aphek
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Aphek: A Biblical Place Name Based on the lexical data provided, אֲפֵק (Aphek) is a proper noun appearing three times in the Hebrew Bible. As a place name rather than a common word with variable meanings, it functions as a fixed geographical designation within biblical narrative and historical texts. The lemma's classification as a noun with consistent transliteration indicates it refers to a specific location rather than a concept or abstract term. The limited occurrence of Aphek (only three biblical references) suggests it was a particular site of local or regional importance rather than a major population center frequently referenced throughout scripture. Without additional lexical data on context, etymology, or geographical markers, the specific significance of this location—whether it was a city, fortress, or natural landmark—cannot be determined from the lemma entry alone. The consistent spelling and transliteration across occurrences indicate stable geographical reference rather than textual corruption or variant naming traditions. In biblical literature, place names typically anchor narratives to specific geographical and historical contexts. The appearance of Aphek in exactly three passages indicates these references likely held sufficient importance for inclusion in the preserved texts, though the limited frequency prevents broader conclusions about its role in biblical geography or history based solely on this lexical data.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences across the text
At the return of the year, Ben Hadad mustered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.
1 Kings 20:30But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men who were left. Ben Hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner room.
2 Kings 13:17He said, “Open the window eastward;” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” and he shot. He said, “Yahweh’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for you will strike the Syrians in Aphek, until you have consumed them.”