Bible Dictionaries
Ephron

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ee' frahn) Personal and place name meaning, “dusty.” 1. A Hittite who sold the cave of Machpelah to Abraham (Genesis 23:8-20 ). The narrative follows the normal manner of concluding a purchase agreement among Near Eastern people. Abraham was also buried in the cave with Sarah (Genesis 25:9-10 ). It became the patriarchs' burying place (Genesis 49:30-33; Genesis 50:13 ). 2 . A mountain marking the tribal border of Judah with Benjamin (Joshua 15:9 ). It is located northwest of Jerusalem near Mozah at el-Qastel. 3. A city King Abijah of Judah (913-910 B.C.) took from King Jeroboam of Israel (926-909 B.C.), according to spelling of Hebrew text (2 Chronicles 13:19 ). The earliest Hebrew scribes suggested that Ephrain was the correct spelling (KJV). It is apparently identical with Ophrah in Benjamin (Joshua 18:23; 1 Samuel 13:17 ), located at et-Taiyibeh about four miles north of Bethel. The city of Ephraim (2 Samuel 13:23; John 11:54 ) is probably the same city. If et-Taiyibeh is the correct location, it is a high city, 300 feet higher than Jerusalem and could be quite cold. Some would locate the city of Ephraim in the lower valley at ain Samieh, on the edge of the desert.