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EPHRATHAH

(Heb. ʾeprāṯâ)

(PLACE)

A place name used in reference to Bethlehem and the surrounding region (Ruth 4:11; Mic. 5:2). Jesse, the father of David, is called an Ephrathite of Bethlehem (1 Sam. 17:12), as are Naomi, her husband, and their sons (Ruth 1:2). The LXX includes Ephrathah in the list of places near Bethlehem which it inserts after Josh. 15:59.

Ephrathah also appears as the name of a woman (1 Chr. 2:19) who is identified as an ancestor (eponymous) of Bethlehem, Tekoa, Beth-gader, and Kiriath-jearim (1 Chr. 2:24, 50-51; 4:4-5), well-known towns in northern Judah. It is unclear whether the kinship group associated with this territory took its name from such a person or whether the name is merely a personification of the territory for genealogical purposes. The inclusion of Kiriath-jearim within the boundaries of Ephrathah extends these boundaries north to the border with Benjamin (cf. Ps. 132:6, ʾeproṯâ = “fields of Jaar”). Ephrathah may also refer to Ephrath, the place to which Jacob was traveling when Rachel died (Gen. 35:16, 19; 48:7); cf. later passages that place the tomb of Rachel in southern Benjamin (1 Sam. 10:2), specifically in the vicinity of Ramah (Jer. 31:15).

Wade R. Kotter

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EPHRATHAH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)