Epher
עֵפֶר/EE-fer/
“Calf or young deer (from its gray or ashy color)”
Summary
A name meaning 'calf' or 'young deer' borne by a son of Midian and by two members of Israelite tribes.
☩Son of Midian
Epher was the second son of Midian, Abraham's son by Keturah. His descendants presumably formed one of the Midianite clans that inhabited the Arabian desert. Some scholars connect the name with Arabian tribes named Ghifar mentioned in later Arabic sources.
Key verses:Genesis 25:41 Chronicles 1:33
☩Other Bearers
Another Epher was the third son of Ezra, a descendant of the tribe of Judah, apparently through Caleb son of Jephunneh. A third Epher was a head of one of the families of the half-tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan—one of the 'mighty men of valor, famous men' who were carried away by Tiglath-pileser when Assyria conquered that region.
Key verses:1 Chronicles 4:171 Chronicles 5:24
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Epher," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Epher," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).