EPHRAIM, FOREST OF

(ya`ar 'ephrayim):

The word ya`ar (Hebrew) probably agrees in meaning with the Arabic wa`r, which indicates a rough country, abounding in rocks, stones and scrub, with occasional trees; not a "forest," as we understand the term. Here Absalom was defeated and slain (2 Samuel 18:6, the King James Version "wood of Ephraim"). It must be sought, therefore, East of the Jordan, in the neighborhood of Mahanaim; but no identification is yet possible.

FOREST

for'-est:

(1) choresh (compare proper name Harosheth), 2 Chronicles 27:4. In 1 Samuel 23:15 translated "wood"; in Isaiah 17:9, "wood"; in Ezekiel 31:3, "forest-like shade." Applied to any thick growth of vegetation but not necessarily so extensive as (3).

(2) pardec: Nehemiah 2:8, margin "park"; Ecclesiastes 2:5, the King James Version "orchards," the Revised Version (British and American) "parks"; Songs 4:13, English Versions of the Bible "orchard," the Revised Version, margin "paradise." A word of Persian origin signifying probably an enclosure.

See PARADISE.

(3) ya`ar from root meaning "rugged"; compare Arabic wa`ar, "a rugged, stony region." It is sometimes rendered "forest" and sometimes (but less often in the Revised Version (British and American)) "wood." It is used of certain definite wooded tracts: "the forest in Arabia" (Isaiah 21:13, margin "thickets"); "the forest of Carmel" (2 Kings 19:23 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "of his fruitful field"); "the forest of Hereth" (1 Samuel 22:5); "the forest of Lebanon" (1 Kings 7:2; 1 Kings 10:17-21 2 Chronicles 9:16-20); "the forest of Ephraim," East of the Jordan (2 Samuel 18:6, 8, 17). The word ya`ar appears also in well-known Kiriath-jearim, "the city of forests," and Mt. Jearim (Joshua 15:10). Among numerous other references the following may be cited: Deuteronomy 19:5 Joshua 17:15, 18 1 Chronicles 16:33; 2 Kings 2:24 Psalm 80:13; Psalm 83:14; Psalm 96:12; Psalm 132:6 Ecclesiastes 2:6 Songs 2:3 1 Samuel 7:2; 1 Samuel 14:25, 26; Jeremiah 4:29; Jeremiah 46:23 Ezekiel 34:29 Micah 3:12; Micah 7:14.

(4) cebhakh, from root meaning "to interweave." A "thicket" (Genesis 22:13 Jeremiah 4:7); "thicket of trees" (Psalm 74:5); "thickets of the forest" (Isaiah 9:18; Isaiah 10:34).

(5) 'adbhim, "thicket" (Jeremiah 4:29).

From many references it is evident that Palestine had in Old Testament times much more extensive forests and woodlands than today. For a discussion of the subject see BOTANY.

E. W. G. Masterman

HERETH, THE FOREST OF

he'-reth (ya`-ar chareth; Septuagint polis Sareik; the King James Version Hareth): David (1 Samuel 22:5) was told by the prophet Gad to depart from Mizpah of Moab and go to the land of Judah, and he "came into the forest of Hereth." The Septuagint has "city" instead of forest; see also Josephus, Ant, VI, xii, 4. The village Kharas, on an ancient high road, 3 miles Southeast of Aid el ma, probably David's stronghold ADULLAM (which see), may possibly answer to the place (PEF, III, 305, Sh XXI). "Horesh" has been suggested as an alternative reading.

E. W. G. Masterman

FOREST OF EPHRAIM

See EPHRAIM.