Ephratah(ephrath)
“Fruitful”
Summary
Ephratah (or Ephrath) designates both a person—Caleb's wife and mother of Hur—and a place—the ancient name for Bethlehem of Judah. As a place name, it appears in the messianic prophecy of Micah identifying Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's future ruler.
☩Caleb's Wife
Ephratah was the second wife of Caleb, son of Hezron, and mother of Hur (1 Chron 2:19, 50; 4:4). Through Hur, she became grandmother of Caleb the spy. Her name likely derives from her connection to the town and district of Ephratah/Bethlehem, as Hur is called 'the father of Bethlehem' (1 Chron 4:4)—probably meaning founder or leading citizen. The genealogical notices in Chronicles link this family to the town bearing her name.
☩Ancient Name of Bethlehem
Ephratah (or Ephrath) was the ancient name of Bethlehem in Judah. Rachel died and was buried 'in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem' (Gen 35:19; 48:7). Jacob set a pillar upon her grave, 'the same is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.' The name Ephratah appears in Micah's messianic prophecy: 'But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel' (Mic 5:2). As Bethlehem means 'house of bread,' Ephratah ('fruitful') aptly describes this grain-rich region.
☩In the Psalms
Psalm 132:6 mentions Ephratah in connection with the ark's location: 'Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.' The sense appears to be that while David was still a youth at Bethlehem (Ephratah), the ark was merely a matter of hearsay—so neglected was it during its time at Kirjath-jearim ('city of forests'). This psalm celebrates David's determination to bring the ark to Jerusalem and establishes a connection between his hometown and his royal mission.
Related Verses10 mentions
References
- 1.Unknown source, "Ephratah."
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ephratah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.Unknown source, "Ephratah."