Topical Bible: Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Blessed by Moses

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Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history and theology. The tribe traces its lineage to Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). Ephraim's mother was Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, whom Joseph married during his time in Egypt (Genesis 41:50-52).

Blessing by Jacob and Prominence

The tribe of Ephraim gained prominence early on when Jacob, also known as Israel, blessed Ephraim and his older brother Manasseh. In a notable event recorded in Genesis 48, Jacob intentionally crossed his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim's head, signifying a greater blessing, despite Joseph's attempt to correct him. Jacob declared, "He too will become a people, and he too will be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19). This blessing set the stage for Ephraim's future significance among the tribes of Israel.

Inheritance and Territory

Upon entering the Promised Land, the tribe of Ephraim received a fertile and strategically important portion of territory in the central hill country of Canaan. This land included key locations such as Shiloh, where the tabernacle was set up, and Shechem, a city of refuge. The territory of Ephraim was bordered by the tribes of Manasseh to the north and Benjamin to the south, making it a central and influential region in the land of Israel (Joshua 16:5-10).

Role in Israel's History

Ephraim played a crucial role in the history of Israel. The tribe was known for its military prowess and leadership. Joshua, the successor of Moses and a key figure in the conquest of Canaan, was from the tribe of Ephraim (Numbers 13:8). The tribe's central location and strength often positioned it as a leader among the northern tribes.

However, Ephraim's prominence also led to tensions with other tribes. The tribe's pride and sense of superiority sometimes caused friction, as seen in the conflict with Gideon (Judges 8:1-3) and later with Jephthah (Judges 12:1-6).

Blessing by Moses

Before his death, Moses blessed the tribes of Israel, including Ephraim. In Deuteronomy 33, Moses pronounced blessings over the tribes, and for Joseph, he said, "May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath, with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons" (Deuteronomy 33:13-14). This blessing encompassed both Ephraim and Manasseh, highlighting the prosperity and favor that would come upon their lands.

Prophetic Significance

Ephraim's name is often used prophetically to represent the northern kingdom of Israel, especially after the division of the united monarchy following Solomon's reign. The prophets frequently addressed Ephraim in their calls for repentance and return to the covenant with God. Hosea, in particular, uses Ephraim as a symbol of the waywardness and eventual restoration of Israel (Hosea 11:8-9).

In summary, the tribe of Ephraim, blessed by both Jacob and Moses, played a pivotal role in the history and spiritual narrative of Israel. Its legacy is marked by leadership, conflict, and prophetic significance, reflecting the complex and dynamic nature of God's chosen people.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 33:13-17
And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,
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Library

Israel the Beloved
... the reference of the text may be to the tribe of Benjamin ... and in Hosea (xi.3), 'I
taught Ephraim to go ... the man of God, blessed the children of Israel before his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/israel the beloved.htm

Chapter xlviii
... census of Moses' time the tribe "Ephraim had 40,500 men ... numbers received a temporary
alteration, Ephraim counting only ... saying: In thee shall Israel bless, saying ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Demonstration viii. --Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
... and better in his estimation than the gold and the silver that the children of Israel
took from ... Clearly, because he was of the tribe of Ephraim the son of ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration viii of the resurrection of.htm

Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
... tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim;" "But chose the tribe
of Judah ... brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 redemption for man.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... then Esau, at last an innumerable multitude, almost the whole of Israel. ... he refused
the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: but chose ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

Chapter xlix
... Joseph is blessed by including Ephraim and Manasseh in one ... and in a sense a reproof
of the tribe. ... honourable and blessed dispersion among the tribes of Israel. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

The National Oath at Shechem
... ago, and which now had fallen to Joseph's descendants, the tribe of Ephraim. ... grey
strength stood beneath the green oak, a silent witness that Israel, by his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the national oath at shechem.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... being divided, Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, the servant ... In his time, in the
fifteenth year, Israel was carried ... son of a Jewish mother, of the tribe of Dan ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... the omission of the Tribes of Dan and Ephraim: Levi and ... that the "man or woman or
family or tribe" who should introduce idolatry into Israel, "all the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... During the whole period of the Judges, Ephraim held the supremacy. ... is my
lawgiver""equivalent to, Judah is my, ie, Israel's ruling tribe"point to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm