Lexical Summary Ephrath or Ephrathah: Ephrath, Ephrathah Original Word: אֶפְרָת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ephrath, Ephratah Or mephrathah {ef-raw'-thaw}; from parah; fruitfulness; Ephrath, another name for Bethlehem; once (Psa. 132:6) perhaps for Ephraim; also of an Israelitish woman -- Ephrath, Ephratah. see HEBREW parah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as apher Definition an Isr. woman, also the name of several places in Pal. NASB Translation Ephrath (5), Ephrathah (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶפְרָ֫תָה proper name (see Sta§ 308 d. 1; 342 d. 2; Morgenl. Forsch. 215) — might in several cases, e.g. Genesis 35:16, be אֶפְרָת + ה locative, but see Ruth 4:11; — 1. proper name, of a location place near Bethel, where Rachel died & was buried Genesis 35:16,19; Genesis 48:7 (אֶפְרָת only Genesis 48:7 where ה perhaps dropped on accusative of ה following (Ol); in last two passages הוא בית לחם is a gloss, see Di; compare 1 Samuel 10:2). 2 id., a name of Bethlehem Micah 5:1; Ruth 4:11; compare perhaps כָּלֵב אֶפְרָתָ֑ה 1 Chronicles 2:24 (ᵐ5 ἦλθεν Ξαλὲβ εἰς Ἐφράθα). 3 id. Psalm 132:6, perhaps applied to district where Kirjath Jearim lay, on the border of Judah & Benjamin, compare De Che. 4. proper name, feminine אֶפְרָת name given to wife of Caleb 1 Chronicles 2:19 = אֶפְרָתָ֑ח 1 Chronicles 2:50; 1 Chronicles 4:4. Topical Lexicon Personal Name and Family Lineage Ephrath appears first as the wife whom Caleb “son of Hezron” married after Azubah died; “Ephrath…bore Hur” (1 Chronicles 2:19). Through Hur she becomes ancestress of Shobal, Salma, and, ultimately, of Bethlehem itself (1 Chronicles 2:50; 4:4). Thus the name identifies a matriarch whose descendants supply both leaders in Judah and the genealogical bridge to King David. Geographic Identity and Location The same word designates the district surrounding Bethlehem in southern Judah. Genesis twice clarifies the equivalence: “Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)” (Genesis 35:19; cf. 48:7). Later writers regularly pair the two designations (“Bethlehem Ephrathah,” Micah 5:2), preserving the older place-name even after Bethlehem became dominant. Rachel’s Death and Memorial Ephrath is forever linked with poignant covenant history. On the journey from Bethel, Rachel’s difficult labor ended in Benjamin’s birth and her own death “while they were still some distance from Ephrath” (Genesis 35:16). Jacob set a pillar over her grave, marking the spot (Genesis 35:20). The sorrow at Ephrath anticipates the prophetic lament of Jeremiah 31:15, later echoed in Matthew 2:18 when Herod’s massacre occurs near Bethlehem. Thus Ephrath stands where grief and hope intersect. Role in Davidic and Bethlehemitic Heritage 1 Chronicles traces Bethlehem to “Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah” (4:4). Centuries later the elders bless Boaz: “May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem” (Ruth 4:11). Boaz and Ruth become great-grandparents of David, cementing Ephrathah’s place in the royal line. Psalm 132:6 recalls David’s youthful quest for the ark: “We heard that the ark was in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar,” suggesting the region shaped the shepherd-king’s early devotion. Liturgical and Devotional Associations The psalmist’s reference indicates that accounts of the ark’s movements were preserved in Ephrathah, feeding Israel’s worship memory. Ruth’s marriage blessing invokes Rachel and Leah alongside Ephrathah, tying the locale to covenant fruitfulness. Such passages made Bethlehem Ephrathah a symbol of divine favor in Hebrew liturgy and later Christian hymnody. Messianic Prophecy Fulfilled in Jesus Christ Micah foresees a Ruler whose “origins are from of old” arising from “Bethlehem Ephrathah” (Micah 5:2). The prophecy does more than pinpoint geography; it binds the coming King to Rachel’s sorrow, David’s line, and God’s ancient purposes housed in this small Judean village. The Gospel writers cite the verse to explain why Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5-6; John 7:42), demonstrating Scripture’s internal harmony. Theological and Ministry Implications • God weaves personal loss (Rachel) into redemptive hope (Messiah), encouraging believers that affliction can serve larger purposes. Forms and Transliterations אֶפְרָ֑תָה אֶפְרָ֔ת אֶפְרָ֔תָה אֶפְרָ֗תָה אפרת אפרתה בְּאֶפְרָ֔תָה בְאֶפְרָ֑תָה באפרתה ’ep̄·rā·ṯāh ’ep̄·rāṯ ’ep̄rāṯ ’ep̄rāṯāh bə’ep̄rāṯāh ḇə’ep̄rāṯāh bə·’ep̄·rā·ṯāh ḇə·’ep̄·rā·ṯāh beefRatah efRat efRatah veefRatahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 35:16 HEB: הָאָ֖רֶץ לָב֣וֹא אֶפְרָ֑תָה וַתֵּ֥לֶד רָחֵ֖ל NAS: to go to Ephrath, Rachel KJV: to come to Ephrath: and Rachel INT: way to go to Ephrath to give Rachel Genesis 35:19 Genesis 48:7 Genesis 48:7 Ruth 4:11 1 Chronicles 2:19 1 Chronicles 2:50 1 Chronicles 4:4 Psalm 132:6 Micah 5:2 10 Occurrences |
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