Ἐφραίμ (G2187) — Greek Lexicon

Ἐφραίμ

Ephraím

G2187 noun

SILEX Entry

Root Ἐφραιμ- Ephraim (proper name), tribal ancestor, tribal territory, settlement

Definition

Ephraím is a proper noun used as a personal and place name. Primarily, in Greek contexts influenced by the Septuagint and New Testament, it denotes Ephraim, a key tribal ancestor among the Israelites (descendants of Joseph) and the territories, town, or region associated with that figure. In some contexts, it refers to the tribe of Ephraim, a leading group among the northern Israelite tribes, and by extension to their land or population. The name also appears as an alternative designation for specific towns or regions, especially those north of Jerusalem.

Semantic Range

Ephraim (personal name), tribe of Ephraim, land/region of Ephraim, city called Ephraim, population of Ephraim, northern kingdom (in some contexts)

Root / Etymology

Derived via transliteration from the Hebrew אֶפְרַיִם (Efrayim). The meaning of the Hebrew root is often connected to 'fruitfulness' or 'being doubly fruitful,' likely from פָּרָה (pará, to be fruitful). The Greek Ἐφραίμ preserves the Hebrew pronunciation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term Ἐφραίμ is used in the Septuagint to represent both the tribal ancestor (son of Joseph) and his descendants—the tribe of Ephraim—as well as place names (city, hill country, region). The New Testament references (e.g., John 11:54) apply the name to a town located near the wilderness, northeast of Jerusalem, rather than to the tribal group. In Hellenistic and Roman periods, Ἐφραίμ could signify various places and collective identities associated with the historical tribe or land. English translations often render the word as 'Ephraim,' but such translations may not distinguish between the tribal, ancestral, or geographic referent. The Greek rendering is based on a transliteration of the Hebrew form rather than Greek etymology. In some Second Temple and post-biblical literature, 'Ephraim' as a term may also denote the entire northern kingdom (Israel/Ephraim) in a collective sense, especially contrasted with Judah.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (אֶפְרַיִם or better עֶפְרוֹן); Ephraim, a place in Palestine:--Ephraim.

Root Family

Ἐφραίμ (Ephraim) — Ephraim, tribal ancestor, tribe, tribal territory, settlement

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G2187-01`	Ἐφραὶμ	ephraim	`N ACC M SG`	Ephraim	Ephraim	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G2187-01`	John 11:54	Ἐφραὶμ	ephraim	`N ACC M SG`	Ephraim	Ephraim

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