Ephrathah אֶפְרָ֫תָה
A wife of Caleb and founder of Bethlehem.
Biography
Ephrathah was first the wife of Hezron then of Caleb. Her descendents gave her name to the area around Bethlehem, the city in Judah where David and Jesus were born. In several passages, Bethlehem is referred to as "Bethlehem Ephrathah" (Rut.1.2; 1Sa.17.12">Rut.1.2; 1Sa.17.12), indicating that Ephrathah was either an alternate name for the city or a region encompassing it.
The name Ephrathah is also mentioned in the genealogies of Judah in connection with Caleb, a prominent figure in the tribe. Ephrathah is listed as the wife of Caleb (1Ch.2.19), and their descendants, including Hur and Salma, are associated with the founding or settlement of Bethlehem (1Ch.2.50; 4.4).
The dual usage of the name Ephrathah suggests a possible link between the person and the place, although the exact nature of this connection is not explicitly stated in the Bible. The association of Ephrathah with Bethlehem highlights the significance of this city in Israel's history, as it was the birthplace of key figures like David and Jesus.
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In Scripture
3 biblical books1 Chronicles 4 verses
- 1 Chronicles 2:50
"These were the sons of Caleb, the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim,"
- 1 Chronicles 4:4
"Penuel was the father of Gedor and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem."
- 1 Chronicles 2:24
"After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Abijah Hezron’s wife bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa."
- 1 Chronicles 2:19
"Azubah died, and Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur."
Ruth 1 verse
- Ruth 1:2
"The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there."
1 Samuel 1 verse
- 1 Samuel 17:12
"Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons. The man was an elderly old man in the days of Saul."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֶפְרָ֫תָה | H0672G |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | אֶפְרָ֫תָה | H0672G |
| Spelled | Hebrew | אֶפְרָת | H0672G |
| Group | Hebrew | אֶפְרָתִי | H0673H |