Editing Ephrath (section)

==Biblical place==
A very old tradition holds that Ephrath refers to [[Bethlehem]],<ref name="Bethlehem"/> as the first mention of Ephrath occurs in [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]],<ref>{{bibleverse|Genesis.35:16-19;48:7|multi=yes}}</ref> in reference to the place where [[Rachel]] died giving birth to [[Benjamin]] and was buried on the road from [[Bethel]]. Evidence that she died on the way there is reflected by the ancient [[Rachel's tomb]] at the city's entrance.

Throughout much of the [[Bible]], Ephrath is a description for members of the Israelite [[tribe of Judah]], as well as for possible founders of Bethlehem.<ref>{{bibleref2|1Chronicles|4:4|9}}</ref>

Ephrath, or Bethlehem, is connected to [[Messiah in Judaism|messianic]] prophecy, as found in the book of the minor prophet [[Book of Micah|Micah]]: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel."<ref>{{bibleref2|Micah|5:2|9}}</ref> This specifies the town of Bethlehem in the southern part of biblical Israel (Judah/Judea), distinguishing it from the Bethlehem located in the north (Galilee). Both Matthew 2 and Luke 2 in the New Testament state that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.