Bible Dictionary
Caphar
Caphar was a term for a village or small settlement, appearing in several place-names, including Capernaum.
Definition
Caphar was a term for a village or collection of dwellings smaller than a city. It may be rendered “hamlet” and appears in several place-names.
Biblical Usage
Its chief biblical interest is its appearance in Capernaum, meaning Caphar of Nahum.
Historical Background
The term occurs in names such as Chephar-he-Ammonai, Chephirah, and Caphar-salama.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
one of the numerous words employed in the Bible to denote a village or collection of dwellings smaller than a city (Ir). Mr Stanley proposes to render it by “hamlet.” In names of places it occurs in Chephar-he-Ammonai, Chephirah, Caphar-salama. To us its chief interest arises from its forming a part of the name of Capernaum, i.e. Capharnahum.