RAMAH(Ῥαμά).
1. A city of the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned with Gibeon and Beeroth (Josh. 18.25), and elsewhere with Bethel, as in or near Mount Ephraim. (Judges, 4.5.) From 19.13 of Judges it would appear to have been not far north of Jerusalem, and lying near to Gibeah of Benjamin. Being a border city between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, it was fortified by Baasha king of Israel, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa, king of Judah. (1 Kings, 15.17, comp. 12.27.) It is placed by Eusebius 6 miles north of Jerusalem, over against Bethel (Onomast. s. v. ), and by S. Jerome 7 miles from Jerusalem near Gabaa, and was a small village in his day. (Comment. in Hos.cap. v., in Sophon. cap. i.) Josephus places it 40 stadia from Jerusalem. (Ant. 8.12.3.) its site is still marked by the miserable village of Er-Râm, situated on a hill on the east of the Nablûsroad, 2 hours north of Jerusalem, and half an hour west of Jeba, the ancient Gibeah. Its situation is very commanding, and it retains a few scattered relics of its ancient importance. (Robinson, Bibl. Res. vol. ii. pp. 315, 316.)
2. See also RAMATHA and RAMOTH[G.W]