2

In Judges 6:11 (NASB)

Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites.

and Judges 8:27 (NASB)

Gideon made it into an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah; but all Israel committed infidelity with it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household.

we read of Gideon's hometown - Ophrah. Also, in Joshua 18:23 (NASB)

Avvim, Parah, and Ophrah,

Is the Ophrah from Judges the same from Joshua?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

There are at least two towns called "Ophrah":

  • A Bejaminite town as per Josh 18:23
  • A town in Manasseh as per Judges 6:11, 15, 24, 8:27, 32. This town in both sets of references is closely associated with Gideon.

Note that there are several clues that Judges 6:11, 15, 24, 8:27, 32 all describe "Ophrah" as Gideon's city in Manasseh confirming that they refer to the same place. Note Matthew Poole's comments:

The case seems to be this, Gideon having by God’s command erected an altar in his own city, Ophrah, Judges 6:26, for an extraordinary time and occasion.

Improve this answer
6
  • From here, according to Matthew Poole's Commentary, Barnes' Notes on the Bible, Benson Commentary and Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, they weren't the same location
    – Tiago Martins Peres
    Mar 16, 2021 at 23:00
  • @TiagoMartinsPeres李大仁 - they all agree that the other "Ophrah" was in Benjamin as listed above. So the two in Judges 6 & 8 are the same as stated by these same commentators.
    – Dottard
    Mar 16, 2021 at 23:12
  • «This Ophrah was in Western Manasseh. There was another in Benjamin»
    – Tiago Martins Peres
    Mar 16, 2021 at 23:17
  • @TiagoMartinsPeres李大仁 - correct - we are discussing only the one in Manasseh - Gideon's hometown.
    – Dottard
    Mar 16, 2021 at 23:18
  • 1
    @TiagoMartinsPeres李大仁 - NO. Both Ophrah's in Judges are the same place, Manasseh. However, the one in Joshua is in Benjamin. See the answer above.
    – Dottard
    Mar 16, 2021 at 23:56

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.