Learn more about Ophrah

Introduction to Ophrah

Ophrah is a name found in the Hebrew Bible and is associated with more than one location and one individual. The meaning of the name "Ophrah" (Hebrew: עֹפְרָה, ʻOfrah) is usually given as "fawn" or "young deer." This name carries pastoral and perhaps poetic connotations, aligning with its likely rural settings in ancient Israel. The most notable references to Ophrah are geographical, particularly the town associated with Gideon, a judge of Israel, and another town in the territory of Benjamin.

Ophrah Pronunciation

“Ophrah” is pronounced as OH-frah, with the emphasis on the first syllable. In Hebrew, it is transliterated as ʻOfrah, with the initial sound represented by the letter ayin (ע), which may be silent or a soft glottal stop.

Ophrah in the Bible

The name "Ophrah" appears in a few key contexts within the Old Testament:

• Ophrah of the Abiezrites (Judges 6:11-24; 8:27, 32): This is the hometown of Gideon, one of Israel’s judges. Ophrah is described as being in the territory of the tribe of Manasseh and belonging to the family of Abiezer. It is in Ophrah that Gideon receives the angelic visitation calling him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. This same town later becomes a religious center when Gideon makes an ephod (a priestly garment or object) from the gold plunder of his military victories, which unfortunately becomes a snare to him and Israel.
• Ophrah in the territory of Benjamin (Joshua 18:23): Another mention of Ophrah appears in the list of towns allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. This Ophrah is likely a different location than the one associated with Gideon. The precise identification of this site is uncertain today, but it was clearly part of the tribal boundaries as Israel settled in Canaan.

Related Themes and Meanings to Ophrah

Several significant themes emerge from the biblical references to Ophrah:

• Divine Calling and Commissioning: Ophrah becomes a sacred location where Gideon is called by God. This underscores the biblical theme of God choosing ordinary people from humble settings for extraordinary missions (Judges 6:11-14).
• Religious Syncretism and Idolatry: The ephod made by Gideon in Ophrah, though initially commemorative, turns into an object of idolatry (Judges 8:27). This highlights the recurring tension in Israel’s history between faithfulness to Yahweh and the temptation toward idolatry.
• Legacy and Burial: Gideon dies and is buried in Ophrah, solidifying its place not only as a place of origin and ministry but also as a site of closure in his life story (Judges 8:32).

Trivia and Interesting Facts about Ophrah

• Gideon’s encounter with the angel of the LORD in Ophrah is one of the most dramatic call narratives in the Old Testament. The angel touches a meal offering with his staff, causing fire to spring up, affirming divine presence and commission (Judges 6:21).
• The name “Ophrah” shares its Hebrew root with the word for “dust” or “fawn,” possibly indicating either a pastoral environment or symbolic humility.
• Ophrah of the Abiezrites is also referred to as a sanctuary of sorts after Gideon sets up the ephod. Though not a temple, it becomes a central place of worship, showing the tendency for local shrines to develop into focal points of Israelite religious life—even when it leads to apostasy.
• In modern geography, some scholars suggest that Ophrah of Gideon may be identified with a site known as Et-Taiyibeh, located northeast of Shechem, though this remains speculative.
• The repetition of the name “Ophrah” for two different places in the Old Testament is a reminder of how names were often reused in biblical times, sometimes leading to ambiguity in identifying locations today.

Conclusion

Ophrah stands as a significant name in the Old Testament, particularly because of its association with Gideon and his divine commissioning. The events that unfold in this modest town underscore major biblical themes such as God’s empowerment of the weak, the dangers of syncretism, and the human tendency to turn even well-meaning religious symbols into idols. While the exact locations of both towns named Ophrah remain uncertain, their theological and narrative significance is firmly established in the biblical tradition.