Ephratah

Ephratah [N] [H]

fruitful.

  • The second wife of Caleb, the son of Hezron, mother of Hur, and grandmother of Caleb, who was one of those that were sent to spy the land ( 1 Chronicles 2:19 1 Chronicles 2:50 ).

  • The ancient name of Bethlehem in Judah ( Genesis 35:16 Genesis 35:19 ; 48:7 ). In Ruth 1:2 it is called "Bethlehem-Judah," but the inhabitants are called "Ephrathites;" in Micah 5:2 , "Bethlehem-Ephratah;" in Matthew 2:6 , "Bethlehem in the land of Judah." In Psalms 132:6 it is mentioned as the place where David spent his youth, and where he heard much of the ark, although he never saw it till he found it long afterwards at Kirjath-jearim; i.e., the "city of the wood," or the "forest-town" ( 1 Samuel 7:1 ; Compare 2 Samuel 6:3 2 Samuel 6:4 ).

    These dictionary topics are from
    M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
    published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [H] indicates this entry was also found in Hitchcock's Bible Names

    Bibliography Information

    Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Ephratah". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .