Ophrah
Ophrah is a settlement mentioned in 5 verses. Its most likely location is Afula. The name means “dust; lead; a fawn.”
Where is Ophrah?
Approx. 32.6057, 35.2900 · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
Possible modern locations
| Identification | Type | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Afula | settlement | Medium |
| Khirbet Taiyibeh | settlement | Low |
| Ramat Rahel | settlement | Low |
| Et Taiyibeh | settlement | Medium |
| Silat ad Dhahr | settlement | Low |
| Farata | settlement | Low |
Ophrah in the Bible dictionary
A fawn. 1 Chr. 4:14. (1.) A city of Benjamin (Josh. 18:23); probably identical with Ephron (2 Chr. 13:19) and Ephraim (John 11:54).
(2.) “Of the Abi-ezrites.” A city of Manasseh, 6 miles south-west of Shechem, the residence of Gideon (Judg. 6:11; 8:27, 32). After his great victory over the Midianites, he slew at this place the captive kings (8:18-21). He then assumed the function of high priest, and sought to make Ophrah what Shiloh should have been. This thing “became a snare” to Gideon and his house. After Gideon’s death his family resided here till they were put to death by Abimelech (Judg. 9:5). It is identified with Ferata.
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain. Full dictionary entry →
Verses that mention Ophrah
- Judges 6:11
And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi–ezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
- Judges 6:24
Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah–shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi–ezrites.
- Judges 8:27
And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
- Judges 8:32
And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi–ezrites.
- Judges 9:5
And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.