Nephihah was the second chief judge over the Nephites, appointed by Alma the Younger in the ninth year of the reign of the judges, around 83 BC (Alma 4:16-17). Alma chose him from among the elders of the church and gave him power to enact and enforce laws by the voice of the people; he sat in the judgment-seat to judge and govern (Alma 4:16-17). Alma kept the office of high priest for himself and delivered up only the judgment-seat to Nephihah, so that Alma could go among the people to preach (Alma 4:18; Alma 4:19).
During Nephihah’s tenure the chief judge sent a proclamation seeking the voice of the people on admitting the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, who were granted the land of Jershon (Alma 27:20-22). When Korihor was bound, the high priest and chief judge sent him to be brought before Alma (Alma 30:29-30). His years governing included the war against Zerahemnah (Alma 43-44) and the conflicts surrounding Amalickiah (Alma 46-50). The city, or land, of Nephihah was founded in this period, built between the cities of Moroni and Aaron (Alma 50:14).
Nephihah died around 67 BC, “having filled the judgment-seat with perfect uprightness before God” (Alma 50:37). He had refused to take charge of the sacred records, so Alma conferred them on his own son, Helaman (Alma 50:38). Nephihah’s son Pahoran was appointed to the judgment-seat in his place (Alma 50:39-40).