Topical Bible: Tribe of Ephraim: Strength of, on Entering Canaan

Bible > Topical > Tribe of Ephraim

◄ Tribe of Ephraim: Strength of, on Entering Canaan ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

The Tribe of Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in the biblical narrative, particularly during the period of entering Canaan. Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph, was blessed by Jacob with a promise of greatness, as recorded in Genesis 48:19: "But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.'" This blessing set the stage for Ephraim's prominent role among the tribes of Israel.

Upon entering Canaan, the strength of the Tribe of Ephraim was evident in several ways. The tribe was known for its military prowess and significant numbers. In the census taken in the wilderness, Ephraim's fighting men numbered 40,500 (Numbers 1:33), and by the second census, their numbers had slightly decreased to 32,500 (Numbers 26:37). Despite this decrease, Ephraim remained a formidable force among the tribes.

Ephraim's strategic importance is highlighted by its central location in the land of Canaan. The territory allotted to Ephraim was fertile and included key cities such as Shiloh, which became a central place of worship and the location of the Tabernacle (Joshua 18:1). This central position not only underscored Ephraim's influence but also its responsibility in leading the spiritual and military endeavors of the Israelites.

The leadership role of Ephraim is further emphasized in the figure of Joshua, an Ephraimite, who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua's leadership was instrumental in the conquest of Canaan, and his association with Ephraim reinforced the tribe's status and strength. Joshua 19:50 states, "By the command of the LORD, they gave him the city he had asked for—Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the city and settled there."

Ephraim's strength was not only in numbers and military might but also in its ability to influence and lead. The tribe's central role in the early history of Israel is a testament to the fulfillment of Jacob's blessing and the divine favor bestowed upon it. Despite later challenges and conflicts, the initial strength of Ephraim on entering Canaan set a foundation for its enduring legacy in the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 26:37
These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... the country formerly occupied by the tribe of Ephraim and the half tribe of Manasseh ...
1. enjoyment; 2. satisfaction of desire; 3. refreshment and strength. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from 2.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... right hand, and by the arm of his strength."[41] He ... and the children of Gad, and
the half tribe of Manasseh ... of our hands, Ye are our gods." "Ephraim shall say ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... was not, as he supposed, to restore her strength but, as ... Also when she was in Mount
Ephraim she made pilgrimages ... shewn to-day, and where the tribe of Benjamin ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... a great reputation among them for his bravery and bodily strength. ... The tribe of Dan
at length became weary of ... Michah in the hill-country of Ephraim and lodged ...
/.../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 ... from useless angles which might detract from its strength. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... 26:1). And verily if the cities of the Gentiles, and the strength of their bars ... of
all her turns and stops, in her journeying from Egypt to Canaan, from Babylon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... in the carcass of the slain Lion of the tribe of Judah ... the left hand was Boaz, in
it is strength (1 Kings 7 ... it, these stand at the door, at the entering into the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... of his name, besides, and without an entering by the ... of Zabdi, the son of Zera, of
the tribe of Judah ... I laboured herein in vain, and spent my strength for nought ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Glory is in his wisdom, glory is in his holiness, glory is in his mercy, justice,
and strength; and "God is love" (1 John 4:16).[1]. II. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm