A wife of Caleb and founder of Bethlehem.
Ephrathah
Named in 6 verses across 3 books, first in Ruth 1:2.
אֶפְרָ֫תָהEphrathah
אֶפְרָתEphrath
אֶפְרָתִיEphrathite
Also called Ephrath, Ephrathite.
- People
- Tribe of Judah(?)
About Ephrathah Written by AI
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" (<ref="Ruth 1:2; 1 Samuel 17:12">Ruth 1:2; 1 Samuel 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 (1 Chronicles 2:19), and their descendants, including Hur and Salma, are associated with the founding or settlement of Bethlehem (1 Chronicles 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.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Where the Bible names her
- 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 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.
- 1 Chronicles 2:19
When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur.
- 1 Chronicles 2:24
After Hezron died in Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah bore to him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.
- 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.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.