What is Ephratah in the Bible?
Another name for Bethlehem, named in Micah's prophecy of a coming ruler in Israel.
Ephratah is a name the Bible uses mainly for the town of Bethlehem in Judah, and also for a person in the genealogies of Judah. As a place, Ephratah appears alongside Bethlehem when the elders at the gate bless Boaz, wishing that he would do worthily in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem (Ruth 4:11).
Ephratah in the Bible
Micah addresses Bethlehem Ephratah as little among the thousands of Judah, yet the place from which a ruler in Israel will come forth (Micah 5:2). A psalm also names Ephratah as the place where we heard of it (Psalms 132:6). As a person, Ephratah appears in Chronicles, where Hur is called the firstborn of Ephratah (1 Chronicles 2:50).
The same passage of genealogies names Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, as the father of Bethlehem (1 Chronicles 4:4). This links the person's name with the town.
- Name meaning
- Fruitful
- Name origin
- Hebrew
- Role
- Town in Judah (Bethlehem)
- First mention
- Ruth 4:11
- Appearances in the Bible
- 5 mentions
Ephratah in the Bible
Chapters that mention Ephratah
Questions about Ephratah
What is Ephratah in the Bible?
Ephratah is a name the Bible uses mainly for the town of Bethlehem in Judah, and also for a person in the genealogies of Judah. As a place, Ephratah appears alongside Bethlehem when the elders at the gate bless Boaz, wishing that he would do worthily in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem (Ruth 4:11). Micah addresses Bethlehem Ephratah as little among the thousands of Judah, yet the place from which a ruler in Israel will come forth (Micah 5:2). A psalm also names Ephratah as the place where we heard of it (Psalms 132:6). As a person, Ephratah appears in Chronicles, where Hur is called the firstborn of Ephratah (1 Chronicles 2:50). The same passage of genealogies names Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, as the father of Bethlehem (1 Chronicles 4:4). This links the person's name with the town.
What does the name Ephratah mean?
The name Ephratah means “Fruitful”. Origin: Hebrew.
Where is Ephratah first mentioned in the Bible?
Ephratah is first mentioned in Ruth 4:11.
How many times is Ephratah mentioned in the Bible?
Number of mentions in the Bible: 5.