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Bible Encyclopedias
Naphthar
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (νέφθαρ , Vulg. Nephthar), the name given by Nehemiah, according to the account in the Apocrypha, to the substance (not the place, as the Vulg.) which after the return from Babylon was discovered in the dry pit where at the destruction of the Temple the sacred fire of the altar had been hidden (2 Maccabees 1:36; comp. 2 Maccabees 1:19). The legend is a curious one; and it is plain, from the description of the substance "thick water," which, being poured over the sacrifice and the wood, was kindled by the great heat of the sun, and then burned with an exceedingly bright and clear flame (2 Maccabees 1:32) — that it was either the same as or closely allied to the naphtha of modern commerce (petroleum). The narrative is not at all extravagant in its terms, and is very probably grounded on some actual occurrence. The only difficulty it presents is the explanation given of the name: "Naphthar, which is, being interpreted, cleansing" (καθαρισμός), and which has hitherto puzzled all the interpreters. It is perhaps due to some mistake in copying. A list of conjectures will be found in Grimm (Kurzgef. Handb. ad loc.), and another in Reland's Diss. de vet. Ling. Pers. 68. The writer adds, "But many men call it Nephi." The identity of the names with naphtha is obvious. The place from which this combustible water was taken was enclosed by the " king of Persia" (Artaxerxes Longimanus), and converted into a sanctuary (such seems to be the force of ἱερὸν ποιεῖν, 2 Maccabees 1:34). In modern times it has been identified with the large well called by the Arabs Bireyub, situated beneath Jerusalem, at the confluence of the valleys of Kidron and Hinnom. This well, the Arab name of which may mean the well of Joab or of Job, and which is usually identified with En-rogel, is also known to the Frank Christians as the "Well of Nehemiah." According to Dr. Robinson (Bib. Res. 1:332, note), the first trace of this name is in Quaresmius (Elucidatio, etc., 2:270-4), who wrote in the early part of the 17th century (1616-25). He calls it "the well of Nehemiah and of fire," in words which seem to imply that such was at that time its recognised name: "Celebris ille et nominatus puteus, Nehemiae et ignis appellatus." The valley which runs from it to the Dead Sea is called Wady en-Nar, "Valley of the Fire;" but no stress can be laid on this, as the name may have originated the tradition. A description of the Bir-eyf-b is given by Williams (Holy City, 2:489-95), Barclay (City, etc., pages 513-16), and by the careful Tobler (Umgebungen, etc., page 50). At present it would be an equally unsuitable spot either to store fire or to seek for naphtha. One thing is plain, that it cannot have been En-rogel (which was a living spring of water from the days of Joshua downwards) and a naphtha well also. (See BITUMEN).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Naphthar'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/n/naphthar.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
