Back to Search
Blog Lessons
🇺🇸 EN | 🇺🇦 UK
Home › locations › Ophrah

Ophrah

Locations
Modern Location Identified with the site of er-Ram, approximately 8 kilometers north of Jerusalem
Coordinates 31.8667, 35.2500

Geographical Setting

Ophrah was an ancient settlement located in the hill country of Benjamin, historically significant as the hometown of the judge Gideon.

What is the meaning of Ophrah in the Bible?

Ophrah was a town situated in the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, distinct from the Ophrah located in the tribal lot of Manasseh west of the Jordan River, and is primarily known as the residence of Gideon and his son Abimelech.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the geographical context of Ophrah clarifies the narrative setting for Gideon's leadership and the subsequent political turmoil involving Abimelech, providing insight into the tribal dynamics and local power structures of the period of the Judges.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Ophrah (located near modern Identified with the site of er-Ram, approximately 8 kilometers north of Jerusalem) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Ophrah in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Ophrah clarify?

Related Topics

ZaphonGebaSinaSuphahChamber, RoofGederah; Gederathite

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Ophrah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ophrah/
Report Error