Bible Dictionary
Ophni
Ophni was a town in the territory of Benjamin. It is commonly identified with Jifna, northwest of Bethel, though the identification is not certain.
Definition
Ophni was a town in the territory allotted to Benjamin. It is commonly associated with Gophna and possibly with the modern Jifneh or Jifna, though the identification is not certain.
Biblical Usage
Ophni is named in the boundary or town list of Benjamin.
Historical Background
The proposed site lies northwest of Bethel in a fertile valley and was later known as Gophna. The change in the initial consonant makes the identification uncertain.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Mouldy, a city of Benjamin (Josh. 18:24).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(mouldy), a town of Benjamin, mentioned in (Joshua 18:24) the same as the Gophna of Josephus a place which at the time of Vespasian’s invasion was apparently so important as to be second only to Jerusalem. It still survives in the modern Jifna or Jufna, 23 miles northwest of Bethel.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>of'-ni (ha-`ophni; Aphne): A place in the territory of Benjamin (Jos 18:24). The modern Jifneh, in a fine vale West of the road to Nablus and 2 1/2 miles Northwest of Bethel, might suit as to position; but the change in the initial letter from `ain to jim is not easy. This is the Gophna of the rabbis (compare Josephus, Jewish Wars, III, iii, 5).</p>