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Ephrathites

The Ephrathites were an ancient Israelite clan or tribe associated with the larger tribe of Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Their name derives from the Hebrew term *Ephrath*, which means "fruitfulness" or "fertile land," and is linked to the town of Bethlehem, originally known as Ephrath.

The Ephrathites are primarily mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Genesis and the

The clan is notably associated with Bethlehem, where, according to the Bible, David, the future king of

Archaeological and historical evidence about the Ephrathites is limited, as their identity is primarily derived from

In later Jewish tradition, the Ephrathites are sometimes conflated with broader Ephraimite identity, and their distinct

genealogical
records
of
the
tribes
of
Israel.
According
to
biblical
tradition,
they
were
descendants
of
Joseph,
one
of
Jacob’s
sons,
through
his
son
Ephraim.
The
Ephrathites
were
part
of
the
Ephraimite
tribe,
which
occupied
territory
in
the
central
hill
country
of
ancient
Palestine,
including
regions
around
Shechem
and
Bethlehem.
Israel,
was
born.
The
town
of
Ephrath
(Bethlehem)
is
also
referenced
in
the
birth
narrative
of
Jesus
in
the
New
Testament,
where
Joseph
and
Mary
traveled
there
for
the
census
recorded
in
Luke
2:4-7.
The
Ephrathites
may
have
played
a
role
in
the
early
history
of
Bethlehem
as
settlers
or
inhabitants.
biblical
texts.
Their
exact
social
structure,
political
influence,
or
daily
life
remains
speculative.
The
Ephrathites
likely
shared
cultural
and
religious
practices
with
other
Israelite
clans,
including
worship
at
regional
shrines
and
adherence
to
the
Torah.
lineage
is
not
always
emphasized.
Their
historical
significance
lies
in
their
connection
to
key
biblical
figures,
such
as
David
and,
by
extension,
Jesus,
as
well
as
their
role
in
the
tribal
geography
of
ancient
Israel.