Mount Ephraim
{{Short description|Historical name for the central mountainous district of Israel}}
{{otheruses}}
Mount Ephraim ({{langx|he|הר אפרים}}), or alternatively Mount of Ephraim, was the historical name for the central mountainous district of Israel once allotted to the Tribe of Ephraim ({{bibleref2|Joshua|17:15; 19:50; 20:7|KJV}}), extending from Bethel to the plain of Jezreel. In Joshua's time ({{bibleref2|Joshua|17:18|KJV}}), approximately sometime between the 18th century BCE and the 13th century BCE, these hills were densely wooded. They were intersected by well-watered, fertile valleys, referred to in {{bibleref2|Jeremiah|50:19|KJV}}.
File:Nahal-Shilo-MHG-225.jpg]]
Later, the region became known as Samaria, after the capital city of the northern Kingdom of Israel which was centered in the area.
Notable persons
Joshua was buried at Timnath-heres among the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash ({{bibleref2|Judges|2:9|KJV}}). This region is also called the "mountains of Israel" ({{bibleref2|Joshua|11:21|KJV}}) and the "mountains of Samaria" ({{bibleref2|Jeremiah|31:5, 6|KJV}}: {{bibleref2|Amos|3:9|KJV}}).
Israel's fourth judge and prophetess Deborah lived in this region. Her home was called "the palm tree of Deborah", and was between Bethel and Ramah in Benjamin ({{bibleref2|Judges|4:5|KJV}}).
'Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:(Ephraim was the new king after the pass of the King of Solomon.) [https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Kings-Chapter-12/]