Ephrath, also known as Ephrathah or Ephratah, is a significant biblical location and name with deep historical and theological implications. It is primarily associated with the region around Bethlehem and is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

Biblical References and Significance:

1. Ephrath as a Location:
· Ephrath is most notably identified with Bethlehem, a town in the territory of Judah. This association is evident in several biblical passages. In Genesis 35:19 , it is recorded, "So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)." This verse highlights the geographical connection between Ephrath and Bethlehem, marking it as the burial place of Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife.

2. Ephrathah as a Region:
· The term Ephrathah is often used to describe the broader region surrounding Bethlehem. In Micah 5:2 , the prophecy states, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." This prophecy is significant in Christian theology as it foretells the birthplace of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, linking Ephrathah with the Davidic line and the fulfillment of messianic prophecy.

3. Ephrath as a Personal Name:
· Ephrath is also used as a personal name in the genealogies of the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 2:19 , it is mentioned, "When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur." This reference indicates that Ephrath was a woman of significance in the lineage of Judah, further emphasizing the name's importance in the tribal history of Israel.

4. Cultural and Theological Implications:
· The association of Ephrath with Bethlehem carries profound theological implications, especially in the context of the birth of Jesus Christ. Bethlehem Ephrathah's mention in prophetic literature underscores its role as a divinely chosen location for pivotal events in salvation history. The connection to King David, who was also from Bethlehem, reinforces the messianic expectations tied to this region.

5. Ephrath in the Context of Rachel's Death:
· The narrative of Rachel's death and burial near Ephrath (Genesis 35:19) is a poignant moment in the patriarchal history. It marks a significant transition in Jacob's journey and serves as a geographical marker for future generations. The site of Rachel's tomb near Bethlehem remains a place of pilgrimage and reverence.

In summary, Ephrath is a multifaceted term in the biblical narrative, encompassing a geographical location, a regional designation, and a personal name. Its connections to Bethlehem, the Davidic lineage, and messianic prophecy make it a cornerstone in understanding the unfolding of God's redemptive plan as revealed in Scripture.Ephrath

Or EPHRATAH

1. The second wife of Caleb, and mother of Hur, 1 Chronicles 2:19; supposed by some to have given her name to the city of Ephrath or Beth-lehem, 1 Chronicles 2:50,51 4:4. Compare Genesis 35:16,19. Elimelech was an Ephrathite of Bethlehem, Ruth 1:2 4:11; so also was David, 1 Samuel 17:12.

2. A name of Ephraim and Ephreimites, 1 Samuel 1:1 1 Kings 11:26 Psalm 132:6.

EPHRATH; EPHRATHAH

ef'-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 4:11 1 Chronicles 2:19, 24, 50; Psalm 132:6 Micah 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 1:2 1 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 in Psalm 132:6 is doubtful; the Revised Version, margin has "Ephraim."

E. W. G. Masterman

672. Ephrath -- an Israelite woman, also the name of several ...
Ephrath or Ephrathah. 671b, 672. Ephrath or Ephrathah. 673 . an Israelite
woman, also the name of several places in Palestine. ...
/hebrew/672.htm - 6k

673. Ephrathi -- a descendant of Ephraim, also an inhabitant of ...
... Ephrathi. 674 . a descendant of Ephraim, also an inhabitant of Ephrath.
Transliteration: Ephrathi Phonetic Spelling: (ef-rawth-ee') Short Definition: ...
/hebrew/673.htm - 6k

3613. Kaleb Ephrathah -- the place where Hezron died
... ephrathah. Word Origin from Kaleb and Ephrath Definition the place where Hezron
died NASB Word Usage Caleb-ephrathah (1). Caleb-ephrathah. ...
/hebrew/3613.htm - 6k

Chapter xxxv
... And they departed from Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath,
Rachel brought forth a child and had great difficulties in the birth. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

The Birth of Jesus.
... xvii.12], which is called Bethlehem [Meaning "house of bread." It was the later
or Jewish name for the old Canaanitish village of Ephrath, the Ephrath near ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/x the birth of jesus.htm

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
... to the 35th of Genesis you will find it said in the 16th verse""And they journeyed
from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath; and Rachel ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the incarnation and birth of.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... And they departed from Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath,
Rachel brought forth a child and had great difficulties in the birth. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
... Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its
modern name, Beitlaham, means "house of meat." It was the home of Boaz and ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xiii eastern wise-men or magi.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... place Bethel. He went thence and came in veer time unto the land that goeth
to Ephrath, in which place Rachel bare a son. And the ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

Two Retrospects of one Life
... delivered from all evil, he recurs to the central sorrow of his life; and speaks,
though in calm words, of that day when he buried Rachel by 'Ephrath, which is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/two retrospects of one life.htm

Ephrath (9 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EPHRATH; EPHRATHAH. ... Multi-Version Concordance Ephrath
(9 Occurrences). Genesis 35:16 They traveled from Bethel. ...
/e/ephrath.htm - 10k

Caleb-Ephrath (1 Occurrence)
Caleb-Ephrath. Caleb-Ephratah, Caleb-Ephrath. Calebephrathah .
Multi-Version Concordance Caleb-Ephrath (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/caleb-ephrath.htm - 6k

Eph'rathah (6 Occurrences)
... The LORD make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which
two did build the house of Israel; and do thou worthily in Ephrath, and be ...
/e/eph'rathah.htm - 8k

Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)
... It was originally called Ephrath (Genesis 35:16, 19; 48:7; Ruth 4:11). ... Genesis
35:19 Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem). ...
/b/bethlehem.htm - 31k

Ephrathah (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EPHRATH; EPHRATHAH. ef'-rath, e'-frath,
ef'-ra-tha, ef-ra'-tha ('ephrath; Ephratha; Genesis 35:16 ...
/e/ephrathah.htm - 9k

Beth-lehem (49 Occurrences)
... was? (BBE). Genesis 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath (
the same is Beth-lehem ). (ASV BBE JPS WBS). Genesis ...
/b/beth-lehem.htm - 21k

Buried (125 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 35:19 Rachel died, and
was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem). ...
/b/buried.htm - 38k

Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... As they journeyed on from Bethel, Rachel died in giving birth to Benjamin (35:18,
19), and was buried "in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. ...
/r/rachel.htm - 24k

Distance (75 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Genesis 35:16 They traveled from Bethel. There was still some distance
to come to Ephrath, and Rachel travailed. She had hard labor. ...
/d/distance.htm - 29k

Overtook (35 Occurrences)
... Genesis 48:7 And as for me, when I came from Paddan, death overtook Rachel on the
way, when we were still some distance from Ephrath; and I put her to rest ...
/o/overtook.htm - 17k

Who were the Ephrathites? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Rachel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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