The Ephraimites were members of the tribe of Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Ephraim holds significant importance in biblical history and theology, being one of the two tribes descended from Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel. Ephraim, along with his brother Manasseh, was adopted by Jacob as his own sons, thus receiving a portion of the inheritance among the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5).

Ancestry and Blessing

Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph and Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52). Despite being the younger, Ephraim received a greater blessing from his grandfather Jacob, who crossed his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim's head, signifying a greater blessing and future prominence over his older brother Manasseh (Genesis 48:13-20). Jacob's blessing indicated that Ephraim's descendants would become a "multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19).

Territory and Influence

The tribe of Ephraim was allotted a central portion of the Promised Land, a fertile and strategically significant area that included cities such as Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located for many years (Joshua 16:5-10). The territory of Ephraim was bordered by the tribes of Manasseh to the north and Benjamin to the south.

Ephraim's central location and fertility contributed to its influence and prominence among the tribes of Israel. The tribe played a leading role in the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy following Solomon's reign. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom, was an Ephraimite (1 Kings 11:26).

Role in Israel's History

Throughout Israel's history, the Ephraimites were known for their strength and valor in battle. However, they were also noted for their pride and contentiousness. In the time of the judges, the Ephraimites confronted Gideon for not calling them to fight against the Midianites, leading to a diplomatic resolution (Judges 8:1-3). Later, they quarreled with Jephthah, resulting in a conflict that led to the death of many Ephraimites (Judges 12:1-6).

The tribe's prominence is further highlighted in the prophetic literature, where "Ephraim" is often used as a synonym for the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophets frequently addressed Ephraim's idolatry and apostasy, calling them to repentance and warning of impending judgment (Hosea 4:17; Isaiah 7:8).

Spiritual Significance

Ephraim's account is a testament to God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. Despite being the younger son, Ephraim's descendants were blessed with prominence and influence, illustrating the biblical theme that God's ways often defy human expectations. The tribe's history serves as both a warning and a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant.

Key Biblical References

· Genesis 41:50-52: Birth of Ephraim and Manasseh.
· Genesis 48:5-20: Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh.
· Joshua 16:5-10: Allotment of Ephraim's territory.
· Judges 8:1-3; 12:1-6: Conflicts involving the Ephraimites.
· 1 Kings 11:26: Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, becomes king of Israel.
· Hosea 4:17; Isaiah 7:8: Prophetic references to Ephraim.669. Ephrayim -- a son of Joseph, also his desc. and their ...
... Joseph, also his desc. and their territory NASB Word Usage Ephraim (176),
Ephraim's (4). Ephraim, Ephraimites. Dual of masculine form ...
/hebrew/669.htm - 6k

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
... time, when Beth-el and her towns belonged to Judea, 2 Chronicles 13:19: hence the
idolatry of those of Judah is sometimes mixed with the Ephraimites', of which ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 20 beth-el beth-aven.htm

Samaria. Sychem.
... and which the Jews, as it seems, reproached under the name of Sychar, John 4:5,
from the words of the prophet, "Woe to the drunken Ephraimites," Isaiah 28:1 ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 56 samaria sychem.htm

Practical Observations.
... sprinkled blood. There was but one word that could save the Ephraimites
at Jordan's ford (Judges 12)"the word Shibboleth. So there ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 26.htm

As to the Words of St. ...
... St. Ambrose then adduces the example of the Ephraimites, whose penitence must be
followed in order to gain the divine mercy and the sacraments. 29. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v as to the.htm

The New Garment Bent
... One can easily fancy the grumblings of the Ephraimites dragged up to Jerusalem to
the hated labour, which Samuel had predicted (1 Samuel 8:16), and how facile ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

Turning Back in the Day of Battle
... These Ephraimites ought, too, as Joshua had set them the example, to have conquered
Canaan, and to have driven out the Canaanites still left. Ah! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/turning back in the day.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... His son Amaziah began well, obeying the Lord by dismissing the Ephraimites whom
he had hired to aid him against the Edomites, and he was therefore rewarded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... spoil were brought captives to Samaria; but there was some good yet left in Israel,
and at the rebuke of the prophet Oded, the Ephraimites remembered that they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

Questions.
... 22. Who were the two allies against Judah? 23. What generous action was done by
the Ephraimites? LESSON IX. 1. Who founded the Assyrian Empire? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers
... Those of the Midianites who had escaped from Gideon's men on either side of the
valley were now met by the Ephraimites at the river, and many more of them were ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of gideon and.htm

Ephraimites (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ephraimites (7 Occurrences). ... (KJV WBS NIV). Judges 12:5
The Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. ...
/e/ephraimites.htm - 8k

Shibboleth (1 Occurrence)
... Thus when the Ephraimites from the west invaded Gilead, and were defeated by the
Gileadites under the leadership of Jephthah, and tried to escape by the ...
/s/shibboleth.htm - 8k

Passages (8 Occurrences)
... Judges 12:5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites:
and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me ...
/p/passages.htm - 9k

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)
... The division of that host, which attempted to escape across the Jordan, under Oreb
and Zeeb, was overtaken by the Ephraimites, who, in a great battle ...
/z/zeeb.htm - 10k

Bethbarah (1 Occurrence)
... have been that by which Jacob crossed when he returned from Mesopotamia, near the
Jabbok (Genesis 32:22), and at which Jephthah slew the Ephraimites (Judges 12 ...
/b/bethbarah.htm - 8k

Beth-barah (1 Occurrence)
... have been that by which Jacob crossed when he returned from Mesopotamia, near the
Jabbok (Genesis 32:22), and at which Jephthah slew the Ephraimites (Judges 12 ...
/b/beth-barah.htm - 8k

Crossing-places (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 12:5 And the Gileadites took the crossing-places of Jordan against the
Ephraimites; and when any of the men of Ephraim who had gone in flight said, let ...
/c/crossing-places.htm - 7k

Escaped (94 Occurrences)
... Judges 12:5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites:
and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me ...
/e/escaped.htm - 37k

E'phraimites (9 Occurrences)
E'phraimites. Ephraimites, E'phraimites. Ephraim's . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Ephraimites, E'phraimites. Ephraim's . Reference Bible.
/e/e'phraimites.htm - 9k

Nay (92 Occurrences)
... Judges 12:5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites:
and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me ...
/n/nay.htm - 34k

What is the meaning of shibboleth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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

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

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