Ramathaim-zophim

Ramathaim-zophim (meaning the two watch-towers of the Zuphites) was the hometown of Elkanah and his wife Hannah, the parents of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1). The city is identified with the Ramah of Samuel — the place where Samuel was born, grew up, judged Israel, lived, built an altar, and was buried (1 Samuel 7:17; 8:4; 25:1). The Zophim component connects the location to the Ephraimite family of Zuph, Elkanah's ancestor. The site has been identified with Beit Rima, Rentis, and other locations in the Ephraimite highlands, though no consensus has been reached.