Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 1:1

NOW there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim , of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite :

Called Ramah, v. 19. and here is the dual number Ramathaim, i. e. double Ramah, probably because it consisted of two parts, whereof the one might be called the Old City, the other the New, both being united into one; and the additional Title of Zophim, which signifies Watch-Towers, or Watch-Men, may note either the height of its Scituation, which made it fit for that use; or that the Prophets, who are called Watch-men, as Ezek. 3. 17. had a School or College there.

i. e. One of Bethlehem-Iudah, Ruth 1. 2. to wit, by his Birth and Habitation, though by his Original a Levite. Thus divers Iews by Nation are called Medes, Elamites, Cretians, &c. Act. 2. 9, 10, 11. because they were Born and Bred there.

Marginal references: 1 Chro. 6. 27, 34.