Topical Bible: Ephraim: Second Son of Joseph: Descendants of

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Ephraim, the second son of Joseph and Asenath, was born in Egypt and became one of the prominent tribes of Israel. His name, meaning "fruitful," was given by Joseph to signify God's blessing in the land of his affliction (Genesis 41:52). Ephraim and his brother Manasseh were adopted by their grandfather Jacob, who blessed them and gave them an inheritance among his own sons (Genesis 48:5-6). Jacob's blessing placed Ephraim before Manasseh, despite being the younger, indicating a future prominence for Ephraim's descendants (Genesis 48:19).

The tribe of Ephraim played a significant role in the history of Israel. During the wilderness journey, the descendants of Ephraim were counted among the tribes of Israel, with their numbers recorded in the census taken by Moses (Numbers 1:32-33). Ephraim's descendants were known for their strength and valor, as seen in the leadership of Joshua, an Ephraimite, who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:1-2).

In the division of the land, the tribe of Ephraim received a fertile and strategically important territory in the central hill country of Canaan (Joshua 16:5-10). This region included significant cities such as Shechem and Shiloh, where the tabernacle was set up during the period of the Judges (Joshua 18:1). The central location of Ephraim's territory contributed to its influence and leadership among the northern tribes.

Throughout the period of the Judges, the tribe of Ephraim was involved in various conflicts and played a crucial role in the defense of Israel. Notably, the judge Deborah, who hailed from the hill country of Ephraim, led a successful campaign against the Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera (Judges 4:4-10). However, the tribe also experienced internal strife, as seen in the conflict with Jephthah, a judge from Gilead, which resulted in a civil war between Ephraim and the Gileadites (Judges 12:1-6).

Ephraim's prominence continued into the period of the united monarchy. The tribe was influential in the selection of Saul as the first king of Israel, and later, it played a significant role in the division of the kingdom after the reign of Solomon. Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, led the northern tribes in rebellion against Rehoboam, Solomon's son, resulting in the establishment of the northern kingdom of Israel, with Ephraim as its leading tribe (1 Kings 11:26, 12:20).

The prophets frequently addressed the tribe of Ephraim, often using it as a representative for the northern kingdom. Hosea, in particular, lamented Ephraim's idolatry and unfaithfulness, warning of impending judgment (Hosea 4:17, 5:3). Despite this, the prophets also spoke of a future restoration for Ephraim, promising a return to faithfulness and blessing (Jeremiah 31:18-20).

Ephraim's legacy is one of both prominence and warning. As a leading tribe, it experienced the blessings of leadership and influence, yet it also faced the consequences of turning away from God. The account of Ephraim and its descendants serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's covenant.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 26:35-37
These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
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1 Chronicles 7:20-27
And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
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Library

Chapter xlviii
... his father refused, saying: I know, my son; I know ... only reckon 32,200; in the second,
the numbers received a temporary alteration, Ephraim counting only ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Chapter xlix
... For the root parah appears in Ephraim "the fruitful one ... By a second parallel statement
Jacob traces back the ... of the offspring of this favourite son, it seems ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Chapter xlvi
... along as is Serah, the sister, in the second group and ... ate there listed as well as
two sons of Ephraim, Soutalaam and Taam, and also one son of Soutalaam ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied ...
... On which God replies: This is Ephraim, the Messiah [the second Messiah, the
son of Joseph]; My Righteousness is His Name.' And so the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix ix list of old.htm

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... country formerly occupied by the tribe of Ephraim and the ... erection in the days of
Nehemiah, Manasseh, son of the ... On second thought her statement is not so much ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from 2.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... the presence of Our Lord in Ephraim near Jericho ... It involves the interpretation of
son' as grandson' through the ... is by the supposition of a second marriage of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ...
... the ancient territories of Manasseh and Ephraim, and extended ... Thus the Son of Sirach
would correctly express ... from the beginning of the second century), Sichem ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in judaea and.htm

Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings.
... first letter had miscarried, and he wrote a second (Ep ... Origen's view that the Seraphim
were the Son and the ... added in the sons of Ephraim and Manasseh, who were ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/v estimate of the scope and.htm

Chapter xlvii
... that since the scene is laid neither in Ephraim nor in ... cattle had been purchased
and not the second year of ... of seventeen years more near his beloved son in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

John iii. 35, 36
... as also Esaias saith, "and the head of Ephraim is Somoron ... birds of the air have nests,
but the Son of Man ... is old?" and again, "Can he enter the second time into ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxi john iii 35.htm