eph.ra.ti identifies a man or group by Ephraimite affiliation in personal descriptions and a boundary-crossing question.

The term functions as a gentilic identifier: it describes Elkanah and Jeroboam, identifies Jesse in David's lineage notice, marks a group in Ruth, and is the affiliation asked about at the Jordan crossing.

1. Gentilic affiliation in identifying people · dominant

   The masculine singular form identifies Elkanah in 1 Samuel 1:1, Jesse in 1 Samuel 17:12, and Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11:26; in Judges 12:5 it is the identity queried of a survivor seeking to cross. The plural form identifies Elimelech's household in Ruth 1:2. In 1 Kings 11:26 the APB renders the identification as "an Ephraimite," while 1 Samuel 17:12 and Ruth 1:2 use "Ephrathite" and "Ephrathites."

   1 Samuel 1:11 Samuel 17:121 Kings 11:26Judges 12:5Ruth 1:2

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term through personal and group labels, rendering it "Ephraimite" in 1 Samuel 1:1, 1 Kings 11:26, and Judges 12:5, but "Ephrathite" or "Ephrathites" in 1 Samuel 17:12 and Ruth 1:2. This variation does not by itself establish separate senses.