Topical Bible: Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Position in Camp and March

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Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in the biblical narrative, both in terms of its heritage and its role during the wilderness journey of the Israelites. The tribe descends from Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph, who was blessed by Jacob with a greater blessing than his elder brother Manasseh (Genesis 48:19). This blessing set the stage for Ephraim's prominent position among the tribes of Israel.

Position in Camp:

During the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, the tribe of Ephraim was assigned a specific position in the camp. According to the divine instructions given to Moses, the tribes were to encamp around the Tabernacle, each with its standard and leader. Ephraim was positioned on the west side of the Tabernacle, forming part of the camp of Ephraim, which also included the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin. This arrangement is detailed in the Book of Numbers: "On the west side, the divisions of the camp of Ephraim are to camp under their standard, with the leader of the Ephraimites being Elishama son of Ammihud" (Numbers 2:18).

The camp of Ephraim was significant not only for its strategic placement but also for its symbolic representation of strength and leadership. As the descendants of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh were often seen as carrying forward the legacy of their father, who played a crucial role in the history of Israel.

Position in March:

In the order of march, the tribe of Ephraim also held a prominent position. The Israelites were instructed to move in a specific order whenever they set out from their encampment. Ephraim, along with the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, was positioned as the third group to set out, following the camp of Reuben. This is recorded in Numbers: "Then the tent of meeting shall set out with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps. They shall set out in the same order as they encamp, each in his own place under his standard. On the west side, the divisions of the camp of Ephraim shall set out under their standard" (Numbers 2:17-18).

The placement of Ephraim in the march order underscores its role as a leading tribe, entrusted with significant responsibilities during the journey. The tribe's position in both the camp and the march reflects its importance within the nation of Israel, as well as its fulfillment of Jacob's prophetic blessing.

Ephraim's leadership and strength were not only vital during the wilderness period but also continued to influence the history of Israel in the Promised Land. The tribe's legacy is marked by its contributions to the spiritual and political life of the nation, as seen in the later establishment of the Northern Kingdom, often referred to as Ephraim in the prophetic writings.

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Numbers 2:18,24
On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
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Numbers 10:22
And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud.
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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 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

The Historical Books.
... and the quarrel of the men of Ephraim with Jephthah. ... of David, first at Hebron over
the tribe of Judah ... overthrow, first of the kingdom of Israel, and afterwards ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... day of the captivity of the land."* The tribe of Dan ... itself the most bellicose of
the tribes of Israel. ... of national danger.* The people of Ephraim and Benjamin ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... they came in time to form a tribe by themselves ... From the midst of Ephraim, another
seer, this time a priest ... that of the avenger destined to punish Israel for its ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... The king, whose royal position made him the representative of ... with all the members
of his tribe, such as the ... of the Mardians; how Cyrus left his camp to return ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... it had ended by accepting its secondary position, and had ... of the greatest among the
prophets of Israel"Jeremiah, son ... evil from the hills of Ephraim: make ye ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm