Topical Bible: Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Joined Gideon Against the Midianites

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Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Descended from Joseph's younger son, Ephraim, the tribe was often noted for its strength and influence among the tribes of Israel. The tribe's territory was located in the central hill country of Canaan, a region known for its fertile land and strategic importance.

In the narrative of Gideon, found in the Book of Judges, the tribe of Ephraim played a crucial role in the defeat of the Midianites, a nomadic people who oppressed Israel. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, had invaded the land, devastating the crops and causing great distress among the Israelites. In response, God raised up Gideon, from the tribe of Manasseh, to deliver Israel from their oppressors.

Gideon's initial army was reduced by divine instruction to just 300 men, emphasizing that the victory would be attributed to God's power rather than human might. After a miraculous victory over the Midianite camp, Gideon called upon the tribe of Ephraim to join the pursuit of the fleeing enemy. The Ephraimites responded promptly, seizing the waters of the Jordan River as far as Beth-barah to cut off the Midianites' escape route.

The men of Ephraim captured and killed two Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb, bringing their heads to Gideon across the Jordan. This act is recorded in Judges 7:24-25 : "Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, 'Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth-barah.' So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth-barah. They also captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan."

Despite their significant contribution to the victory, the Ephraimites expressed dissatisfaction with Gideon for not being called earlier to the battle. This is detailed in Judges 8:1 : "Then the men of Ephraim said to Gideon, 'Why have you treated us like this? Why did you not call us when you went to fight against Midian?' And they contended with him violently." Gideon, however, responded with diplomacy, highlighting the achievements of Ephraim and defusing the tension.

The involvement of Ephraim in the battle against the Midianites underscores the tribe's martial prowess and its importance in the collective efforts of the Israelite tribes. Their participation in this victory is a testament to their role in the unfolding narrative of Israel's history during the period of the Judges.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 7:24,25
And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters to Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters to Bethbarah and Jordan.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Canaan
... Barak, Judah is not mentioned; Ephraim and Benjamin ... Canaan without defenders, an
Amalekite tribe again poured ... devastating the villages of central Israel in the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... Then Eglom of Ephraim, eight years ... returning [to God], they were led by Samson, of
the tribe of Dan ... who was the first that bore regal sway over Israel after the ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... a certain Michah in the hill-country of Ephraim and lodged ... of the captivity of the
land."* The tribe of Dan ... itself the most bellicose of the tribes of Israel. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm