Japhia
A stop on the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem in Galilee[1]
Description
In Nazareth, Jesus indicates to the Apostles their future journey: « From there, through Japhia and Shimron, we will go to Bethlehem in Galilee »[2]. And a few days later, Maria Valtorta observes: « They reached, crossed, passed the settlement of Japhia without any townsman expressing the desire to follow the Master or to detain him »[3].
Its name
Japhia, Japhia, Yafia, Yaphia. The exact etymology of the name "Yafia" is not clearly established. "Yafia" could derive from a Hebrew root meaning "brightness" or "beauty".
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 239 EMV 247.
Learn more about this place
Locality of the tribe of Zebulun, located about 3 km southwest of Nazareth, whose name appears only once in the Bible[4]. A tradition (which Maria Valtorta’s account does not confirm) places the birth house of Zebedee here. The historian Flavius Josephus lived there for a time.
Explore
- 32° 41’ 27’’ N / 35° 16’ 28’’ E /
- +310m
Notes and references
- ↑ Article partially written based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel, J.-F. LAVÈRE.
- ↑ EMV 239.3
- ↑ EMV 247.3.
- ↑ Joshua 19:12.