Topical Encyclopedia
Ephrathah is a significant term in the biblical narrative, referring to both a geographical location and a lineage within the tribe of Judah. The name Ephrathah is often associated with Bethlehem, a town of profound importance in biblical history.
1.
Geographical Significance: Ephrathah is frequently identified with Bethlehem, as seen in several scriptural references. In
Genesis 35:19 , it is recorded, "So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)." This association is further confirmed in
Ruth 4:11 , where the elders and the people bless Boaz, saying, "May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem."
2.
Lineage and Tribal Association: Ephrathah is also linked to a family lineage within the tribe of Judah. The term is used to describe the descendants of Ephrath, the wife of Caleb, as noted in
1 Chronicles 2:19 : "When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur." This lineage is significant in the genealogical records of Judah, highlighting the prominence of Ephrathah in the tribal history.
3.
Messianic Prophecy: Ephrathah holds a prophetic significance in the context of messianic expectations. The prophet Micah foretells the birthplace of the Messiah in
Micah 5:2 : "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." This prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, as recorded in the Gospels.
4.
Cultural and Historical Context: The dual reference to Ephrathah as both a place and a family highlights the interconnectedness of geography and genealogy in the biblical narrative. Ephrathah's association with Bethlehem underscores its role as a pivotal location in Israel's history, serving as the setting for key events such as the account of Ruth and the nativity of Jesus.
In summary, Ephrathah is a term rich with historical, genealogical, and prophetic significance within the biblical text. Its association with Bethlehem and the tribe of Judah underscores its importance in the unfolding account of God's covenant people and the coming of the Messiah.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EPHRATH; EPHRATHAHef'-rath, e'-frath, ef'-ra-tha, ef-ra'-tha ('ephrath; Ephratha;Genesis 35:16;Genesis 48:7); ('ephrathah, in the other references:Joshua 15:59 (in added verse of Septuagint only);Ruth 4:111 Chronicles 2:19, 24, 50;Psalm 132:6Micah 5:2, the King James Version "Ephratah"):
The name either of Bethlehem itself or of a district in which Bethlehem was situated. A man of this place was called an Ephrathite (Ruth 1:21 Samuel 17:12). It is held by many authorities that the Ephrath where Rachel was buried (Genesis 35:16;Genesis 48:7) was a different place, the words "the same is Bethlehem" being a gloss. The reading inPsalm 132:6 is doubtful; the Revised Version, margin has "Ephraim."
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
3613. KalebEphrathah -- the place where Hezron diedKaleb
Ephrathah. 3612, 3613. Kaleb
Ephrathah. 3614 . the place where Hezron
died. Transliteration: Kaleb
Ephrathah Phonetic Spelling
...672. Ephrath -- an Israelite woman, also the name of several...
Ephrath orEphrathah. 671b, 672. Ephrath orEphrathah. 673 . an Israelite
woman, also the name of several places in Palestine....
Library
Chapter xlviii
... I was coming from Paddan then Rachel died to my great grief in the land of Canaan
during the journey when we were still a stretch removed fromEphrathah; and I...
On the Words Incarnate, and Made Man.
... 20. But now hear the place of the promise, as Micah says, And thou, Bethlehem, house
ofEphrathah, art thou little to be among the thousands of Judah?...
The Book of Jubilees
... gives: "And Jacob moved further and dwelt towards the north in Magd LadraEphrathah."
In the honour paid to Joseph, Genesis 41:43, it is proclaimed before him...
Thesaurus
Ephrathah (6 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EPHRATH;
EPHRATHAH. ef'-rath, e
... Masterman.
Multi-Version Concordance
Ephrathah (6 Occurrences). Ruth 4
...Caleb-Ephrathah (1 Occurrence)
Caleb-Ephrathah. Calebephrathah, Caleb-Ephrathah. Calebite . Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia CALEB-EPHRATHAH. ka'-leb...
Ephrath (9 Occurrences)
... EPHRATH;EPHRATHAH.... 1 Chronicles 2:24 After that Hezron was dead in CalebEphrathah,
then Abijah Hezron's wife bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa....
Calebephrathah
... CALEB-EPHRATHAH. ka'-leb ef'-ra-tha, -ef'-ra-ta (the King James Version Caleb-ephratah,
kalebh 'ephrathah): The place where Hezron died (1 Chronicles 2:24)....
Beth-lehem (49 Occurrences)
... who is about to come into your house, like Rachel and Leah, which two were the builders
of the house of Israel: and may you have wealth inEphrathah, and be...
Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)
... or Bethleem, "house of David," or possibly "the house of Lakhmu," an Assyrian deity):
I. Bethlehem Judah: Bethlehem Judah, or EPHRATH orEPHRATHAH (which see...
Oldest (58 Occurrences)
... Hebron. (BBE). 1 Chronicles 2:50 The sons of Hur, the oldest son ofEphrathah;
Shobal, the father of Kiriath-jearim, (BBE). 1 Chronicles...
Eph'rathah (6 Occurrences)
Eph'rathah.Ephrathah, Eph'rathah. Ephrathite . Multi-Version Concordance... (See
RSV).Ephrathah, Eph'rathah. Ephrathite . Reference Bible.
Caleb (39 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 2:24 After that Hezron was dead in CalebEphrathah, then
Abijah Hezron's wife bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa....
Resources
Is Micah 5:2 a Messianic prophecy? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Ephrathites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Augustus Caesar's impact on biblical history? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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