Bible Dictionary
Ephraim, Mount
Mount Ephraim was the central mountainous region assigned to the tribe of Ephraim, extending through the hill country from near Bethel toward the plain of Jezreel. It included fertile valleys and important places such as Shiloh and Shechem.
Definition
Mount Ephraim was the central mountainous district allotted to Ephraim. It extended from the vicinity of Bethel toward the plain of Jezreel and included wooded hills crossed by fertile, well-watered valleys.
Biblical Usage
The region is associated with Joshua’s burial at Timnath-heres and is also called the mountains of Israel and the mountains of Samaria.
Historical Background
The district seems to have extended southward toward Ramah and Bethel, with places only a few miles north of Jerusalem lying within Benjamin’s limits. The central range is also described by names associated with particular cities.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The central mountainous district of Palestine occupied by the tribe of Ephraim (Josh. 17:15; 19:50; 20:7), extending from Bethel to the plain of Jezreel. In Joshua’s time (Josh. 17:18) these hills were densely wooded. They were intersected by well-watered, fertile valleys, referred to in Jer. 50:19. Joshua was buried at Timnath-heres among the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash (Judg. 2:9). This region is also called the “mountains of Israel” (Josh. 11:21) and the “mountains of Samaria” (Jer. 31:5, 6: Amos 3:9).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
is a district which seems to extend as far south as Ramah and Bethel, (1 Samuel 1:1; 7:17; 2 Chronicles 13:4,19) compared with 2Chr 15:8 Places but a few miles north of Jerusalem, and within the limits of Benjamin.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(har 'ephrayim):</p><p>Means that part of the mountain which fell to Ephraim (Jos 19:50, etc.). The natives speak today of Jebel Nablus, Jebel Cafed, etc., meaning that section of the central range which is subject to each city. It is better therefore to retain the rendering of the King James Version, and not to read with the Revised Version (British and American) "hill-country of Ephraim."</p>