Bible Dictionaries
Ephraim, Forest of

Holman Bible Dictionary

The densely wooded site of the battle between the forces of King David and the rebel army of Absalom (2Samuel 18:6,2 Samuel 18:8 ). The location of the forest presents difficulties. The account in 2Samuel suggests a site on the east side of the Jordan near enough to the city of Mahanaim in the Jabbok valley to allow David to send reinforcements. The difficulty arises since the tribal allotment for Ephraim was west of the Jordan. Joshua 17:14-18 predicts Ephraim's expansion north into the wooded Jezreel valley and the vicinity of Beth Shan, both within Issachar's territory. It is possible that this dominant tribe also settled in the wooded hills to the east of the Jordan.