The Hebrew term Kâlêb ʼEphrâthâh, represented by H3613, is identified as Caleb-ephrathah, a place name. Its base definition notes it is possibly a place in Egypt, if the text is correct. This name appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, making its single occurrence highly specific within the biblical record.
The sole use of H3613 is to establish a precise geographical location for a key event in the lineage of Judah. In the narrative, Caleb-ephrathah is the place where the patriarch Hezron died. The verse immediately follows this event with a birth, stating that after H310 Hezron was dead in Calebephratah, his wife Abiah bore him a son, Ashur 1 Chronicles 2:24. This firmly anchors a significant genealogical transition to a specific place.
The context of H3613 is defined by the individuals and actions surrounding it:
- H2696 Chetsrôwn (Hezron): An Israelite whose death occurs in Caleb-ephrathah. His name appears in several important genealogies within the tribes of Judah and Reuben (Genesis 46:12, 1 Chronicles 5:3).
- H29 ʼĂbîyâh (Abiah): The wife of Hezron who, after his death, bears his son Ashur. Her role ensures the continuation of Hezron's line 1 Chronicles 2:24.
- H806 ʼAshchûwr (Ashur): The son born to Abiah after his father Hezron's death. This birth, following the event at Caleb-ephrathah, establishes him as the father H1 of Tekoa 1 Chronicles 4:5.
- H4194 mâveth (death): The event that marks Caleb-ephrathah's significance in the biblical text. The term for death is used here to describe the end of Hezron's life 1 Chronicles 2:24.
- H3205 yâlad (to bear young): This verb for bearing a child is used in direct contrast to the death of Hezron, highlighting the continuation of life and lineage 1 Chronicles 2:24.
The significance of H3613 is tied to its role as a narrative anchor.
- A Place of Transition: Caleb-ephrathah is fundamentally a place of transition. It is marked by the death H4194 of a patriarch, which immediately precedes the continuation of his lineage through the birth of a son 1 Chronicles 2:24.
- Genealogical Pinpoint: Its single mention provides a specific, named location for a key event in the detailed genealogy of Judah. This grounds the lineage record in a specific time and place.
- Continuity Despite Loss: The location is the setting for a story of continuity. Even though Hezron dies, his line does not end. His wife H802, Abiah, bare H3205 a son, ensuring the family's posterity.
In summary, H3613 Kâlêb ʼEphrâthâh is a precise geographical marker whose importance is derived entirely from the single event it hosts. While not a term with broad theological weight, it serves a crucial function in the biblical chronicle. It pinpoints the location of Hezron's death, providing the setting for a powerful narrative moment of loss and the subsequent continuation of a patriarchal line, demonstrating the detailed and grounded nature of biblical genealogies.
TRV