Ephrathah אֶפְרָ֫תָה
A wife of Caleb and founder of Bethlehem.
Who is Ephrathah in the Bible?
Ephrathah was a wife of Caleb and the ancestor whose name became associated with Bethlehem in Judah (1 Chronicles 2:19, 2:50). Through her descendants, particularly her son Hur or grandson Salma, she is connected to the founding and settlement of Bethlehem, the city that would later be known as "Bethlehem Ephrathah" (Ruth 1:2, 1 Samuel 17:12). The biblical record shows Ephrathah first married Hezron before becoming Caleb's wife, and her lineage became so prominent in the region that the area around Bethlehem took her name. This connection holds particular theological significance because Bethlehem became the birthplace of both King David and Jesus Christ, making Ephrathah's family line central to God's redemptive plan for humanity.
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 descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim,"
- 1 Chronicles 4:4
"Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and the father of Bethlehem."
- 1 Chronicles 2:24
"After Hezron died in Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah bore to him Ashhur the father of Tekoa."
- 1 Chronicles 2:19
"When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur."
Ruth 1 verse
- Ruth 1:2
"The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there."
1 Samuel 1 verse
- 1 Samuel 17:12
"Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons. And in the days of Saul, Jesse was old and well along in years."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֶפְרָ֫תָה | bet lechem ephrathah | Beth-Lechem , a place in Palestine |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | אֶפְרָ֫תָה | bet lechem ephrathah | Beth-Lechem , a place in Palestine |
| Spelled | Hebrew | אֶפְרָת | bet lechem ephrathah | Beth-Lechem , a place in Palestine |
| Group | Hebrew | אֶפְרָתִי | — | — |