Netophah

Netophah was a town in Judah, located near Bethlehem. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, particularly in connection with the people who lived there. Some of the inhabitants of Netophah returned from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:22; Neh. 7:26). The town was also the hometown of several notable figures, including two of David's mighty men, Maharai and Heleb (2 Sam. 23:28-29; 1 Chr. 11:30; 27:13, 15), and a Levite named Shemaiah (1 Chr. 9:16). Additionally, some Levites from Netophah participated in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah (Neh. 12:28). The "sons of the prophets" from Netophah are mentioned in the context of Gedaliah's governorship after the fall of Jerusalem (2 Kgs. 25:23; Jer. 40:8).