Caleb Ephratah
Summary
A place name mentioned in Chronicles where Hezron died, though the text is considered difficult and possibly corrupt by scholars.
☩Textual Difficulty
The name Caleb Ephratah occurs only in the present text of 1 Chronicles 2:24 as the place where Hezron died. However, no such place is referred to elsewhere in Scripture, and the composition of the name is grammatically unusual. Additionally, Hezron likely died in Egypt during the period of bondage, making it improbable that he or his son would have named a place there.
☩Alternative Readings
The Septuagint and Vulgate suggest an alternative reading: 'Caleb came in unto Ephrath.' This would mean that after Hezron's death, his son Caleb married Ephrath (also called Ephrathah), who bore him Hur. Some scholars connect this with Bethlehem Ephratah, suggesting the place was named jointly from husband and wife.
☩Family Context
The passage records genealogical information about Hezron and his descendants. Hezron had two wives: the first bore Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb (Chelubai); the second, Abiah daughter of Machir, bore Segub and Ashur. Caleb likewise had two wives: Azubah (apparently the same as Jerioth) and Ephrath, mother of Hur.
Related Verses1 mention
1 Chronicles· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Caleb-Ephratah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Calebephratah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Caleb Ephratah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).