כָּלֵב אֶפְרָתָה (ka.lev eph.ra.tah)
ka.lev eph.ra.tah
Caleb
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase ka.lev eph.ra.tah identifies Caleb-ephrahtah, a specific location mentioned only once in Scripture within 1 Chronicles 2:50. Lexical sources define this place name as meaning "dog" or "ash heap," though the exact geographical identification remains somewhat obscure. It is distinguished from other places sharing similar roots, such as Ephrathah near Bethlehem or the region of Gilead.
This entry appears in a genealogical record listing the descendants of Caleb. The brevity of its usage highlights how ancient place names often carried literal, perhaps even humble, meanings that were absorbed into family histories without further narrative explanation. The text simply records it as a point of origin for Caleb’s lineage, offering no additional commentary on its significance or condition.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Caleb Ephrathah appears in a single genealogical record, anchoring a specific family line within the broader history of Israel. While the exact location remains uncertain to modern scholars, its inclusion reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through ordinary places and real families. You do not need to know every geographical detail to see how Scripture weaves individual lives into His larger story.
Genealogies often feel distant, yet they ground our faith in historical reality. Caleb Ephrathah stands as a quiet witness to the continuity of God’s people. It invites you to trust that your own place in history matters to Him, even when it seems small or obscure. The Bible preserves these names not for their fame, but because every life counts in His eyes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Caleb1×
- Ephrathah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/כָלֵ֣ב1×
- אֶפְרָ֑תָה1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:24
After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Abijah, Hezron’s wife, bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.
This verse uniquely identifies Caleb Ephrathah as the place where Hezron died, marking it as a specific point of origin for Abijah and Ashhur within Caleb's lineage.