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Ephrathite

9.9

Relating to Bethlehem or to people from there, often in the Bible

adjective
/ˈɛfrəˌθaɪt/

Literature

: efrateo

The ancient text mentioned an Ephrathite family living near Bethlehem.

Examples

Several Ephrathite customs are described in the early chapters of the book.
He traced his ancestry to an Ephrathite clan known for their traditions.
The Ephrathite community has a rich history.
Many stories in the Bible mention the Ephrathite lineage.
The ancient text mentioned an Ephrathite family living near Bethlehem.
He traced his ancestry to an Ephrathite clan known for their traditions.
Several Ephrathite customs are described in the early chapters of the book.

Surface Forms

Ephrathite positive

Morphology

Ephrathite = Ephrath (semi-transparent) = Ephrath + ite

The demonym-forming suffix '-ite' is productive and signals origin or affiliation, but the base 'Ephrath' is an uncommon biblical placename so the full referent may be unclear to average learners.

Etymology

Ephrathite comes from the place name Ephrath, an old name for Bethlehem, and the ending -ite means 'from' or 'of', as in Israelite, so the adjective describes something 'relating to' Ephrath or Bethlehem.