דברי הימים א, פרק ד׳, פסוק ד׳

The historical records trace the lineage of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrath, highlighting his descendants and their central role in building new communities. In these genealogies, the title of father often carries a practical meaning rather than a biological one. It identifies an individual as the founder and head of a specific settlement [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Therefore, figures like Penuel and Ezer are recognized as the leaders who established the towns of Gedor and Hushah.

A notable detail emerges regarding the origins of Bethlehem, as Hur is credited as its father. However, other accounts identify Hur's son, Salma, as the true founder of the city. To resolve this, commentators explain that the record is simply being brief and omitting Salma's name. Because Hur was Salma's father, he was effectively the grandfather of Bethlehem. In biblical tradition, a grandfather is frequently referred to as a father, making it natural to credit Hur directly [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

This deep family connection also sheds light on a famous geographical title. Hur was the son of Ephrathah, and his family line established Bethlehem. This historical link between his mother and the city his family built is likely the reason the town is frequently known by a combined name, Bethlehem Ephrathah [ביאור שטיינזלץ].