The hills of Ephraim
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Josh. 17:15; 20:7) lay south of the valley of Jezreel. This name was given to a chain of hills stretching along the southern border of the territory of the tribe of Ephraim. They consist of forested mountain ridges intersected by long and fruitful plains, with the exception, however, of the mountain range lying toward the Jordan, which is very rocky and difficult of ascent.