Ephraim is a significant figure and tribe in the biblical narrative, originating from the Old Testament. Ephraim was the second son of Joseph, the son of Jacob (Israel), and Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52). The name "Ephraim" means "fruitful," reflecting Joseph's declaration, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction" (Genesis 41:52).

Blessing and Prominence: Ephraim, along with his brother Manasseh, was adopted by Jacob as his own sons, thus granting them a share in the inheritance of Israel (Genesis 48:5). In a significant act, Jacob blessed Ephraim with his right hand, giving him precedence over his elder brother Manasseh, despite Joseph's attempt to correct his father (Genesis 48:13-20). Jacob's blessing indicated that Ephraim would become greater, and his descendants would become "a multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19).

Tribe of Ephraim: The tribe of Ephraim became one of the most prominent tribes in Israel. It played a central role in the history of the Israelites, often representing the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. The tribe's territory was located in the central hill country of Canaan, a fertile and strategically important area (Joshua 16:5-10).

Leadership and Influence: Ephraim's influence is evident in several key biblical figures and events. Joshua, the successor of Moses and leader of the Israelites into the Promised Land, was from the tribe of Ephraim (Numbers 13:8). The tribe's central location and size contributed to its leadership role among the northern tribes.

Prophetic Significance: The prophets often used "Ephraim" as a synonym for the northern kingdom of Israel, highlighting its significance and sometimes its waywardness. Hosea, for example, frequently addresses Ephraim in his prophecies, lamenting its idolatry and calling for repentance (Hosea 4:17; 5:3-14).

Judgment and Restoration: Despite its prominence, Ephraim was not immune to judgment. The tribe's involvement in idolatry and alliances with foreign nations led to prophetic warnings and eventual downfall. However, the prophets also spoke of future restoration and hope for Ephraim. Jeremiah prophesied, "I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning... Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? ... I will surely have mercy on him" (Jeremiah 31:18-20).

Symbol of Unity and Division: Ephraim's account is emblematic of both unity and division within Israel. While it was a leading tribe, its rivalry with Judah and role in the division of the kingdom highlight the complexities of Israel's history. The tribe's legacy is a reminder of the blessings and responsibilities that come with leadership and the consequences of turning away from God's covenant.669. Ephrayim -- a son of Joseph, also his desc. and their ...
... a son of Joseph, also his desc. and their territory. Transliteration: Ephrayim Phonetic
Spelling: (ef-rah'-yim) Short Definition: Ephraim. ... Ephraim, Ephraimites. ...
/hebrew/669.htm - 6k

Chronology of the Life of Ephraim.
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian. <. ... VII."Chronology of the
Life of Ephraim. Thus the fixed points for determining ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/vii chronology of the life of.htm

Probable Dates of his Works.
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian. <. ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/x probable dates of his works.htm

What have I to do with Idols?
... What have I to Do With idols? MUCH is said in reproof of Ephraim by the
prophet Hosea. All the wicked dealings and defilement of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/what have i to do.htm

Recapitulation of Authentic Facts of Life.
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian. <. ...
/.../iv recapitulation of authentic facts of.htm

Historical Criticism of Medi??val Amplifications.
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian. <. ...
/.../v historical criticism of mediaeval amplifications.htm

His Writings: their Characteristics.
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian. <. ...
/.../viii his writings their characteristics.htm

'Physicians of no Value'
... HOSEA 'PHYSICIANS OF NO VALUE'. 'When Ephralm saw his sickness, and Judah saw his
wound, then went Ephraim to Assyria, and sent to king Jareb: but he is not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/physicians of no value.htm

Chapter xlviii
... to Joseph: Behold, thy father is sick. So he took his two sons along with
him, Manasseh and Ephraim. When it was told to Jacob: Behold ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

The Life.
... Hilarion passed away about 371: Ephraim Syrus, in 378; Gratian was emperor of the
West; Theodosius the Great was just about to succeed Valens in the East. ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/part i the life.htm

The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers.
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian. <. ... Julian). In Nisibis,
then included within the Roman Empire, Ephraim was born. ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/iii the life as amplified by.htm

Ephraim's (14 Occurrences)
...Ephraim's (14 Occurrences). ... Genesis 48:17 When Joseph saw that his father laid
his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. ...
/e/ephraim's.htm - 10k

E'phraim's (6 Occurrences)
E'phraim's. Ephraim's, E'phraim's. Ephrain . ... Genesis 48:17 When Joseph saw that
his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. ...
/e/e'phraim's.htm - 7k

Manasseh's (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 48:14 Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim's head,
who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands ...
/m/manasseh's.htm - 9k

Ephraim (168 Occurrences)
... The intention of Joseph was that the right hand of the aged patriarch should be
placed on the head of the elder of the two; but Jacob set Ephraim the younger ...
/e/ephraim.htm - 56k

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)
E'phraim. Ephraim, E'phraim. Ephraim-azariah . Multi-Version Concordance
E'phraim (146 Occurrences). John 11:54 Jesus therefore ...
/e/e'phraim.htm - 35k

Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:20 And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim,
whom Asenath the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On bore unto him. ...
/m/manas'seh.htm - 35k

Manas'seh's (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 48:17 And when Joseph saw that his father was laying his right hand upon
the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he held up his father's hand, to ...
/m/manas'seh's.htm - 7k

Limit (115 Occurrences)
... Joshua 16:5 And the limit of the land of the children of Ephraim by their families
was marked out in this way: the limit of their heritage to the east was ...
/l/limit.htm - 36k

E'phraimites (9 Occurrences)
E'phraimites. Ephraimites, E'phraimites. Ephraim's . ... Joshua 16:5 This was the
border of the children of Ephraim according to their families. ...
/e/e'phraimites.htm - 9k

Guiding (69 Occurrences)
... Genesis 48:14 Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim's head,
who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands ...
/g/guiding.htm - 26k

Who was Ephraim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Mount Ephraim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Ephraim? | GotQuestions.org

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