Topical Bible: Ephraim: Second Son of Joseph: Mourned for his Sons

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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 upon him in the land of his affliction (Genesis 41:52). Ephraim, along with his older brother Manasseh, was adopted by Jacob as his own sons, thus granting them a share in the inheritance of Israel (Genesis 48:5).

The tribe of Ephraim played a significant role in the history of Israel, often being synonymous with the Northern Kingdom due to its size and influence. However, the narrative of Ephraim also includes moments of sorrow and mourning, particularly concerning his descendants.

In 1 Chronicles 7:20-23, we find a poignant account of Ephraim mourning for his sons. The passage describes a tragic event where the men of Gath, who were born in the land, killed some of Ephraim's sons. The text states: "Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him" (1 Chronicles 7:22). This incident highlights the personal grief experienced by Ephraim, reflecting the broader theme of suffering and loss that can accompany the blessings of God.

The mourning of Ephraim for his sons is a reminder of the human condition, where joy and sorrow often coexist. Despite the prosperity and growth associated with Ephraim's lineage, this moment of lamentation underscores the vulnerability and fragility of life. It also illustrates the communal aspect of mourning in ancient Israel, as Ephraim's brothers came to offer comfort and support during his time of grief.

Ephraim's experience of mourning is not isolated but resonates with the broader biblical narrative, where God's people often face trials and tribulations. Yet, through these experiences, the faithfulness of God remains a constant theme, offering hope and restoration even in the midst of sorrow.

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1 Chronicles 7:21,22
And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.
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Library

Joseph and his Brethren
... And the name of the second called he 'Ephraim': For God ... And he said, My son shall
not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left: if ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Chapter l
... A second time Joseph reassures his brethren, "do not be ... And he saw in reference to
Ephraim children of the ... Also the children of Machir, the son of Manasseh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter l.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... after him Was born another he called Ephraim; For God ... had been By this time here
the second time again. ... and will bring thee back; And thy son Joseph there thine ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.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

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... the tender love of the father towards his son and provider ... that Reuben, Simeon, and
Gad, that Ephraim and Benjamin ... here we find him occupying the second place. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Psalm LXXVIII.
... 21. In the second place, that we may not seem to do ... the tabernacle of Joseph, and
the tribe of Ephraim [3645] He ... of Reuben, who was the first-born son of Jacob ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxviii.htm

Letter cxxii. To Rusticus.
... in the Lord's name: "how shall I give thee up, Ephraim? ... The prodigal son, we are
told, wasted all his ... away from among you." [3194] And in his second epistle to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxii to rusticus.htm

The Christian Described
... miss in the first, that are not concerned in the second. ... Like Ephraim, we like to
tread out the corn, and to ... their works, he will pardon them for his Son's sake ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... had been of utter self-forgetfullness; the second of deepest ... He would have been proved
to be the Son of God. ... sister Salome, the sister-in-law of Joseph and wife ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... writer holds that Jesus, a mere man, son of Joseph and Mary ... at the last day, "the
sign of the Son of man ... which is found somewhat watered down in the second book. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm