Ramathaim
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Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:
Ramathaim, often referred to as Ramathaim-Zophim, is a significant location in biblical history, primarily known as the birthplace and home of the prophet Samuel. It is situated in the hill country of Ephraim and is associated with the region of Zuph. The name "Ramathaim" means "the two heights" or "double height," indicating its geographical features.

Biblical References:
The primary reference to Ramathaim is found in 1 Samuel 1:1, which introduces the narrative of Samuel's birth and early life: "Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim-Zophim in the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Ramathaim is located in the territory of Ephraim, a central region in the land of Israel. The area is characterized by its hilly terrain, which is consistent with the meaning of its name. The association with Zuph suggests a connection to a clan or family lineage, as Zuph is mentioned as an ancestor of Elkanah, Samuel's father.

Significance in the Life of Samuel:
Ramathaim holds particular importance as the setting for the early chapters of 1 Samuel. It is here that Hannah, Samuel's mother, prays fervently for a child at the local sanctuary, and God answers her prayers with the birth of Samuel. This event marks the beginning of Samuel's significant role as a prophet, judge, and leader in Israel.

Cultural and Religious Importance:
The narrative of Ramathaim highlights themes of faith, prayer, and divine intervention. Hannah's account is a testament to the power of earnest prayer and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Samuel's upbringing in Ramathaim and his dedication to the Lord from a young age underscore the importance of spiritual commitment and service.

Connection to Other Biblical Locations:
Ramathaim is often identified with the town of Ramah, which is frequently mentioned in the context of Samuel's life and ministry. Ramah served as Samuel's base of operations, where he judged Israel and built an altar to the Lord (1 Samuel 7:17). The identification of Ramathaim with Ramah suggests continuity in Samuel's life and work.

Legacy:
Ramathaim's legacy is primarily tied to its association with Samuel, one of the most pivotal figures in Israel's history. As the last judge and a prophet, Samuel played a crucial role in transitioning Israel from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. His life and ministry began in Ramathaim, making it a place of historical and spiritual significance in the biblical narrative.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Ramathaim

See RAMAH.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAMATHAIM; RAMATHEM

ra-ma-tha'-im, ram'-a-them (1 Maccabees 11:34; the King James Version).

See RAMAH, (4).

Strong's Hebrew
7436. Ramathayim Tsophim -- "double height of watchers," a city in ...
... height of watchers," a city in Ephraim. Transliteration: Ramathayim Tsophim Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-maw-thah'-yim tso-feem') Short Definition: Ramathaim-zophim. ...
/hebrew/7436.htm - 6k
Library

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 41-50 Chapter 43 Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim.
Gibeah. There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 43 ramah ramathaim zophim.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapters 41-50. Chapter 41 Bethany. Beth-hene. Chapter 42 Scopo. Chapter 43 Ramah.
Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah. Chapter 44 Nob. Bahurim. Chapter 45 Emmaus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

Prophets in their Country.
... it is not historically true; for Elijah did not suffer dishonour in Tishbeth of
Gilead, nor Elisha in Abelmeholah, nor Samuel in Ramathaim, nor Jeremiah in ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/18 prophets in their country.htm

Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity ...
... Elcanah, a Levite, one of a middle condition among his fellow citizens, and one
that dwelt at Ramathaim, a city of the tribe of Ephraim, married two wives ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the birth.htm

Jesus in the Tomb.
... One of these persons, Joseph, of the small town of Arimathea (Ha-ramathaim[3]),
went in the evening to ask the body from the procurator.[4] Joseph was a rich ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxvi jesus in the.htm

The Crucifixion.
... d asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus [Joseph's town has been
variously identified with Ramleh in Dan, Ramathaim in Ephraim (I. Sam. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 4.htm

John i. 1
... it is said, "God made the Heaven and the earth, and the earth was invisible and
unformed." ( Genesis 1:2.) And, "There was' a man of Ramathaim Zophim." ( 1 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iii john i 1.htm

The Septuagint as a Version.
... the article is often included; and when a proper name is transliterated, the name
is sometimes for this reason not easily recognised; thus Ramathaim (1 Regn. ...
/.../chapter v the septuagint as.htm

Thesaurus
Ramathaim (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia RAMATHAIM; RAMATHEM. ra-ma ... Version). See RAMAH,
(4). Multi-Version Concordance Ramathaim (1 Occurrence). 1 ...
/r/ramathaim.htm - 7k

Ramathaim-zophim (1 Occurrence)
Ramathaim-zophim. Ramathaimzophim, Ramathaim-zophim. Ramatha'im-zo'phim . Easton's
Bible Dictionary ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAMATHAIM-ZOPHIM. ...
/r/ramathaim-zophim.htm - 8k

Ramathaimzophim (1 Occurrence)
... The two heights of the Zophites or of the watchers (only in 1 Samuel 1:1), "in the
land of Zuph" (9:5). Ramathaim is another name for Ramah (4). ...
/r/ramathaimzophim.htm - 8k

Zophim (2 Occurrences)
... survival of the old name. For Ramathaim-zophim see RAMAH. Multi-Version
Concordance Zophim (2 Occurrences). Numbers 23:14 He took ...
/z/zophim.htm - 8k

Ramah (38 Occurrences)
... In 1 Samuel 1:1 it is called "Ramathaim-zophim" (ha-ramathayim-tsophim). ... It might
possibly be translated "Ramathaim of the Zuphites." It was in Mt. ...
/r/ramah.htm - 26k

Ramatha'im-zo'phim (1 Occurrence)
Ramatha'im-zo'phim. Ramathaim-zophim, Ramatha'im-zo'phim. Ramathem .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (See RSV). Ramathaim-zophim, Ramatha'im-zo'phim. Ramathem ...
/r/ramatha'im-zo'phim.htm - 6k

Arimathea (4 Occurrences)
... 19:38). It is probably the same place as Ramathaim in Ephraim, and the
birth-place of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1, 19). Others identify ...
/a/arimathea.htm - 12k

Hannah (13 Occurrences)
... Favour, grace, one of the wives of Elkanah the Levite, and the mother of Samuel
(1 Samuel 1; 2). Her home was at Ramathaim-zophim, whence she was wont every ...
/h/hannah.htm - 14k

Ramath (10 Occurrences)

/r/ramath.htm - 10k

Resources
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Concordance
Ramathaim (1 Occurrence)

1 Samuel 1:1
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Ramathaim

Related Terms

Ramathaim-zophim (1 Occurrence)

Ramathaim (1 Occurrence)

Ephrathite (3 Occurrences)

Ramath: A City of the Tribe of Simeon
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