What is…
Ophrah
Hebrew: עָפְרָה —transliteration: Ophrah —meaning: female fawn
This is the name of two biblical cities and a person.
Ophrah in the Tribe of Benjamin
Moreover, the Jordan was its border on the east side. This was the inheritance of the sons of Benjamin, according to their families and according to its borders all around. Now the cities of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho and Beth-hoglah and Emek-keziz, and Beth-arabah and Zemaraim and Bethel, and Avvim and Parah and Ophrah, and Chephar-ammoni and Ophni and Geba; twelve cities with their villages. —Joshua 18:20-24 NASB
This city of Benjamin (Joshua 18:23) is probably identical with Ephron (2 Chronicles 13:19) and Ephraim (John 11:54).
It was located where the modern village of Taybeh, Israel stands. The Israeli settlement of Ofra is close to the site as well. Nearby is Bethel.
Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites
This city was in the Tribe of Manasseh, 6 miles southwest of Shechem, the residence of Gideon (Judges 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 (Judges 9:5).
It is identified with Far'ata, West Bank, Israel (aka Fara'ata and Feráta).
Ophrah, child of Meonothai
This person is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:14…
Meonothai became the father of Ophrah, and Seraiah became the father of Joab the father of Ge-harashim, for they were craftsmen. —1 Chronicles 4:14 NASB
Menothai is a son of the judge Othniel (Othniel ben Kenaz) of the Tribe of Judah.
More information
- Tribe of Manasseh
- Tribe of Judah
- Who is Gideon?
- What are the cities of the Bible? Names, descriptions, locations and types
- Places of the Bible
- Men of the Bible