Ephrath

Ephrath or Ephratah is a biblical city in what is now modern Israel. It is on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place. It is sometimes associated directly with the city of Bethlehem. In Micah 5:2, the birth of Jesus Christ was predicted to be at the city of "Bethlehem Ephratah." People who traced their lineage to King David came to the area of this town during the census that was taken when Jesus Christ was born.

King James Version: Micah 5:2 "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

The town of Ephrata, Pennsylvania was named after this town. The modern Israeli city of Efrat is located in roughly the same place.