Ephraim
In Samaria, at the border with Judea.
Residents or Natives[edit | edit source]
Welcoming residents,[1] Malachi, the synagogue leader, Mary of Jacob, the hostess of Jesus the outcast, Dinah the beekeeper, little Anna the glutton,[2] Rachel, the cheese merchant,[3] Naomi, a mountaineer from the surrounding area,[4] Ada, the wife of Janoe, who is at risk of dying in childbirth like Rachel, Anne who temporarily hosts apostles,[5] Elijah, a resident who accompanies Jesus back.[6]
Description[edit | edit source]
This town is at the edge of the desert and the Mountains of Blood. This region in the center of western Palestine is relatively mountainous with more abundant rainfall than in Judea and some good lands, hence the mention of the fertility of the area. There are still wolves.[7]
Near this location is "Clear Water", property of Lazarus where Jesus retires in November-December of his first year of public life.[8]"From the dell, in the middle of which the torrent flows, one can see the white houses of the village in the late daylight and in the early moonlight. [...] Turning around and looking at the horizon, one can see a large stretch of the starry sky bend over a large expanse of ground that slopes downwards towards the desert plain that stretches as far as the Jordan."[9]
"'Look what a beautiful view you can see from here.' And He points at the varied landscape. To north-west high woody mountains stretching like a spine from north to south. One of them behind Ephraim is a real giant overlooking the others. To northeast and south-east there are mild undulating hills. The village is in a green valley with distant flat backgrounds between the two higher and lower chains, that from the central part of the region slope down to the Jordan plain. Through a fissure in the lower mountains it is possible to see the green plain beyond which flows the blue Jordan. At the height of springtime this must be a beautiful place, all green and fertile. At present the dark shades of vineyards and orchards interrupt the green of fields of cereals, the tender stems of which sprout from the clods of earth, and the verdant pastures nourished by the rich soil."[10]To the west of the town, in the woods near the stream, there is a steep place suspended over the void where Jesus likes to pray.[11]
Its landscapes recall those of Kerioth and Juttah in southern Judea.
The house of Mary of Jacob, where Jesus stays, is southeast of the town.[12]
Notable Events[edit | edit source]
Jesus is very well received by the Ephraimites while being pursued on his way to his last Feast of Tabernacles. There he delivers a parable about the unity of peoples. This parable about the pomegranate is now honored in the town’s icon.[13] It is there that Jesus retires after being condemned by the Temple.[14]
Its Name[edit | edit source]
אפרים (Ephraim) today טייבה (Taybeh).[15]
Successively: Ophra, Ephron, Apharema, Ephraim. Today Taibe or Taybeh (note there is a namesake) (Taybe - Taiyiba – And Tayibé) about 25 km north-northeast of Jerusalem and 7 km north of Bethel (Beitin).
However, according to the descriptions of Maria Valtorta, Jesus’ stay does not seem to correspond exactly to the current Taibe. Especially the proximity of a stream.
Where is it mentioned in the work?[edit | edit source]
GRM 70
GRM 117
GRM 483 GRM 484 GRM 485
GRM 550 GRM 551 GRM 552 GRM 553 GRM 554 GRM 555 GRM 556 GRM 557 GRM 558 GRM 559 GRM 563 GRM 564 GRM 565 GRM 566 GRM 567 GRM 568 GRM 570 GRM 571 GRM 572 GRM 573 GRM 577 GRM 579
GRM 632 GRM 633
Learn More About this Place[edit | edit source]
Under the name Ophra, it is attributed to Benjamin.[16] It is later called Ephron, a city conquered by Abijah, king of Judah against Jeroboam I, king of Israel.[17] It became Apharema at the time of the Maccabees[18] then Ephraim at the time of Jesus.[19] Thus it bears a prestigious name, that of one of the two children of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob. The name Ephraim was even one of the synonyms of Israel.
Explore[edit | edit source]