EPHRATA. — Bethlehem (v.), which, after the time of el-‘Amârnah (15th cent. B.C.), formed part of the territory of E. together with Cariathiarim and Bethgader and was colonized by the Ephratite clan, whence it was called E. In Gen. 35:16 and Ruth 4:11 it is simply called E.; in Gen. 35:19 and 48:7: “E., which is Bethlehem.” In Mi. 5:2 (cf. Mt. 2:6), the birthplace of the Messiah is called Bethlehem of E.
E., therefore, in the strict sense, is the name of the region or territory. The region of the names may be found in I Par. 2:19 agg.: E., Caleb’s second wife, is the mother of Har, the grandfather of Bethlehem. Others think that the names go back to a more remote period, since “Ephratite” occurs as a synonym of “Ephraimite”: cf. Indc. 12:3; I Sam. 1:1; I Frg. 11:26. Vincenzo M. Jacono