Topical Bible: Tribe of Ephraim: Persons Selected From: To Divide the Land

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The Tribe of Ephraim holds a significant place among the tribes of Israel, being one of the two tribes descended from Joseph, the son of Jacob, through his son Ephraim. Ephraim, along with his brother Manasseh, was adopted by Jacob as his own sons, thus receiving a portion of the inheritance among the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5).

Role in the Division of the Land

The division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel was a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites, marking the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. The task of dividing the land was carried out under the leadership of Joshua, who was from the Tribe of Ephraim. Joshua, the son of Nun, was a prominent figure, having served as Moses' assistant and later as the leader who brought the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:1-2).

In the process of dividing the land, specific individuals from each tribe were selected to assist in this monumental task. From the Tribe of Ephraim, the chosen representative was Kemuel, the son of Shiphtan. Numbers 34:24 in the Berean Standard Bible states, "And the leader from the tribe of the Ephraimites was Kemuel son of Shiphtan."

Significance of Ephraim's Role

The selection of a representative from Ephraim to participate in the division of the land underscores the tribe's importance and influence within the nation of Israel. Ephraim was often seen as a leading tribe, second only to Judah in prominence. This is reflected in various biblical narratives where Ephraim plays a central role, such as in the leadership of Joshua and the later establishment of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Ephraim was a dominant tribe.

The involvement of Ephraim in the division of the land also highlights the fulfillment of the blessings pronounced by Jacob over Joseph's sons. In Genesis 48:19, Jacob prophesied that Ephraim would become greater than Manasseh, and his descendants would become a multitude of nations. The tribe's participation in the division of the land is a testament to this blessing and its realization in the history of Israel.

Conclusion

The Tribe of Ephraim's involvement in the division of the Promised Land, through the selection of Kemuel son of Shiphtan, reflects its significant role in the unfolding narrative of Israel's history. As a leading tribe, Ephraim's contributions to the establishment and development of the nation are evident throughout the biblical text, affirming the tribe's enduring legacy among the people of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 34:24
And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In Judaea
... and they mix up different events and persons in Gospel ... was not reckoned to belong
to any tribe in particular ... had died in the possession of Ephraim, and been ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... of perfect purity in their persons, their altars ... with the government of a mountain
tribe dwelling to ... and Nergal-sharuzur for this purpose selected from their ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... gave way before the two houses of Ephraim and Judah ... time of Jehoshaphat, a member
of the tribe of Judah ... the incidents he gives are carefully selected, apt and ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one ... the captivity of the
land."* The tribe of Dan ... character: lying to the south of Ephraim, they had ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm