The Hebrew Chephar/Hepherites is a proper name derived from the root chaphar (H2658), meaning to dig, to search out, or a pit. It appears as the name of a person (Manassite clan leader, Numbers 26:32) and a region/city (1 Kings 4:10).
While primarily a name, the root concept of digging/searching carries significant theological weight. Proverbs 2:4 uses the same root: 'If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasure...' The act of digging — going deep, laboring to find what is hidden — is the posture of one who pursues wisdom and knowledge of God. The image of a pit also points to humble origins: God takes people from obscure, 'dug-out' places (Isaiah 51:1 — 'the rock from which you were cut and the quarry from which you were hewn') and makes them vessels of his purpose.