Topical Bible: Tribe of Ephraim: Led the Third Division of Israel

Bible > Topical > Tribe of Ephraim

◄ Tribe of Ephraim: Led the Third Division of Israel ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Tribe of Ephraim holds a significant place in the history of Israel, both in terms of its lineage and its role in the organization of the Israelite tribes during their wilderness journey. Ephraim was one of the two sons of Joseph, born to him in Egypt through Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52). Ephraim and his brother Manasseh were adopted by their grandfather Jacob as his own sons, thus receiving an inheritance among the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5).

Lineage and Blessing

Ephraim's prominence is rooted in the blessing Jacob bestowed upon him. Despite being the younger of Joseph's sons, Ephraim received the greater blessing from Jacob, who crossed his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim's head, signifying preeminence over Manasseh (Genesis 48:13-20). This act of blessing set the stage for Ephraim's future leadership and influence among the tribes of Israel.

Role in the Wilderness Journey

During the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, the tribe of Ephraim was assigned a key position in the camp and march order. According to the Book of Numbers, the tribes were organized into four divisions, each led by a principal tribe. Ephraim was appointed to lead the third division, which included the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin (Numbers 2:18-24). This division camped on the west side of the Tabernacle and was the third to set out when the Israelites broke camp.

The leadership of Ephraim in this division underscores the tribe's importance and the fulfillment of Jacob's blessing. The tribe's position in the camp and its role in the march order reflect its status and responsibility among the people of Israel.

Military and Political Influence

Ephraim's influence extended beyond the wilderness period into the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the Israelite nation. The tribe was known for its military prowess and played a significant role in several key battles. The Ephraimites were involved in the conquest of the central hill country of Canaan, and their territory included significant sites such as Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was located for many years (Joshua 18:1).

The tribe's political influence is evident in the period of the Judges and the early monarchy. Notably, Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land, was from the tribe of Ephraim (Numbers 13:8). Additionally, the tribe's central location and size contributed to its prominence in the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy.

Prophetic Significance

Ephraim is frequently mentioned in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, often symbolizing the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophets used Ephraim as a representative term for the ten tribes of the northern kingdom, highlighting both the tribe's leadership role and its spiritual waywardness (Hosea 4:17; Isaiah 7:2).

Despite periods of rebellion and idolatry, the prophetic writings also contain promises of restoration and blessing for Ephraim. The tribe's enduring legacy is intertwined with the hope of redemption and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel.

In summary, the Tribe of Ephraim's leadership of the third division of Israel during the wilderness journey is a testament to its significant role in the history and spiritual narrative of the nation. Its legacy is marked by both its historical influence and its prophetic significance in the unfolding account of God's people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Divided Kingdom.
... (4) The ambition of Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, a valiant officer of
Solomon, no doubt led him to stir up the ten tribes to revolt. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Historical Books.
... 9) and the quarrel of the men of Ephraim with Jephthah ... opens with an account of the
abuses which led the people ... of David, first at Hebron over the tribe of Judah ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... Then Eglom of Ephraim, eight years. ... But on their returning [to God], they were led
by Samson, of the tribe of Dan, who conquered the foreigners in battle ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The King --Continued.
... the sacerdotal offices did not blend, may have led him to ... east, and north, the "lion
of the tribe of Judah ... Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine, Ephraim also is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xii the kingcontinued.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... Instead of being led to repentance by the unmerited mercy of ... Israel falls, through
Asshur: Judah, the main tribe, shall be ... them;" v.12: "I am unto Ephraim as a ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... an established feature in the Kingdom of Ephraim, and Elijah ... all social relations
with that particular tribe to which ... is chastened and corrected and led in the ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The Prophecies
... all your brethren, even the seed of Ephraim." (Rejected for ... Moses foretold what would
happen to each tribe. ... in great number worshipped God, and led an angelic ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xi the prophecies.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... shall be utterly destroyed, so that not a tribe shall be ... shall do their part, so
that scarce a third of the ... And then, led away, as it seems, by the temporary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... time of Jehoshaphat, a member of the tribe of Judah ... chosen His own people, and had
led them, after ... be circulated,*** till a scribe of Ephraim, who flourished ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... local chiefs, heroes to their own immediate tribe, well known ... name of the Lord;***
she herself led the contingents of Issachar, Ephraim, and Machir ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm