Topical Encyclopedia
Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph and Asenath, was one of the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. His sons, as recorded in the Bible, played significant roles in the history and lineage of the Israelites. Ephraim himself was blessed by his grandfather Jacob, who placed him above his older brother Manasseh, saying, "His younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations" (
Genesis 48:19).
1. Shuthelah Shuthelah is the firstborn son of Ephraim, as mentioned in the genealogies of the tribes of Israel. In
Numbers 26:35 , the descendants of Shuthelah are listed as the Shuthelahite clan. The lineage of Shuthelah is significant as it represents the continuation of Ephraim's line and his inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
2. Becher Becher is sometimes listed among the sons of Ephraim, although there is some textual variation and debate among scholars regarding his exact placement. In some genealogical records, Becher is associated with the tribe of Benjamin (
1 Chronicles 7:20-21). This discrepancy may be due to the complex inter-tribal relationships and adoptions that occurred in Israelite history.
3. Tahan Tahan is another son of Ephraim, and his descendants are referred to as the Tahanite clan. The mention of Tahan in the genealogies underscores the expansion and establishment of Ephraim's lineage within the broader context of the Israelite tribes (
Numbers 26:35).
4. Ezer and Elead Ezer and Elead are sons of Ephraim who met a tragic fate. According to
1 Chronicles 7:21 , they were killed by the men of Gath when they went down to seize their livestock. This event caused great mourning for Ephraim, who named his next son Beriah, meaning "in trouble," because of the calamity that had befallen his house.
5. Beriah Beriah, born after the death of Ezer and Elead, is noted for his name, which reflects the sorrow of his father Ephraim. Despite the tragedy surrounding his birth, Beriah's lineage continued to contribute to the growth and strength of the tribe of Ephraim (
1 Chronicles 7:23).
6. Other Descendants The genealogies in
1 Chronicles 7 also mention other descendants of Ephraim, including Rephah, Resheph, Telah, Tahan, Ladan, Ammihud, Elishama, Nun, and Joshua. Joshua, the son of Nun, is particularly noteworthy as he became the leader of the Israelites after Moses and led them into the Promised Land (
Joshua 1:1-2).
Ephraim's sons and their descendants played a crucial role in the history of Israel. The tribe of Ephraim became one of the most prominent tribes, often representing the northern kingdom of Israel in biblical narratives. The blessings and prophecies concerning Ephraim and his offspring highlight the enduring legacy and influence of this tribe within the biblical tradition.