The word "Ephratah" is a biblical place name that is spelt with seven letters. Its phonetic transcription in IPA is /ɛfɹətə/. The first two letters 'Eph' are pronounced as short 'e', followed by aspirated 'f' and 'r' that are pronounced with vibration of the tongue. The 'a' sound in the middle is pronounced as schwa, which is a short and unstressed vowel. Finally, the word ends with 't' and 'h' which are pronounced together with a puff of air.
Ephratah is a biblical place name that holds significance in both the Old and New Testaments. Its name is originally derived from Hebrew and can be translated as "fruitful" or "abundant." In the Bible, Ephratah is primarily associated with two locations: a city in ancient Israel and a small town near Bethlehem.
In the Old Testament, Ephratah is mentioned in multiple contexts. It is most famously known as the birthplace of King David and the ancestral home of the Davidic dynasty. The book of Micah references Ephratah as the birthplace of the anticipated Jewish Messiah, further highlighting its importance in Jewish history.
In the New Testament, Ephratah is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew as a fulfillment of the prophecy mentioned in Micah, indicating that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, specifically in the city of Ephratah. This connection solidified Ephratah as a significant place in Christian traditions, particularly during the celebration of Christmas.
Today, Ephratah is recognized as a historical location associated with biblical events and is often explored by tourists or religious pilgrims. It serves as a reminder of the rich cultural and religious heritage found within the scriptures and holds a special place in the history of both Judaism and Christianity.
The word "Ephratah" has its origins in Hebrew. In the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, Ephratah is mentioned as the ancient name of Bethlehem, a city in the region of Judah in present-day Palestine. The Hebrew term אֶפְרָתָה (Ephratah) is derived from the root word פָּרָה (parah), which means "to be fruitful" or "to bear fruit". Thus, Ephratah can be translated as "fruitful" or "abundance" in Hebrew.