Ephraim is one of the tribes of Israel, named after the second son of Joseph and Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52). Ephraim, along with his brother Manasseh, was adopted by Jacob as his own sons, thus granting them a share in the inheritance of the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5). Jacob's blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh, despite Ephraim being the younger, is significant: "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'" (Genesis 48:19).

Ephraim's territory was located in the central hill country of Canaan, a fertile and strategically important area. The tribe played a significant role in the history of Israel, often being a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom. The city of Shiloh, located in Ephraim, was an early center of Israelite worship and the location of the Tabernacle before the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital.

Throughout the Old Testament, Ephraim is frequently mentioned as a representative of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The prophets often used Ephraim as a symbol of the Northern Kingdom's apostasy and eventual judgment, as seen in Hosea: "Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!" (Hosea 4:17). Despite this, there are also promises of restoration and blessing for Ephraim, reflecting God's enduring covenant with His people.

Benjamin

Benjamin is the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the progenitor of the tribe of Benjamin. His birth is recorded in Genesis 35:16-18, where Rachel names him Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," as she dies in childbirth, but Jacob renames him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand."

The tribe of Benjamin occupied a small but significant territory between Ephraim and Judah, including the city of Jerusalem. Benjamin's strategic location often placed it at the center of Israel's political and military affairs. The tribe is known for its skilled warriors, as noted in Judges 20:16: "Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing" .

Benjamin's most notable descendant is Saul, the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:1-2). The tribe's loyalty to the house of Saul is evident in the early monarchy period. However, after Saul's death, Benjamin eventually aligned with the tribe of Judah under King David, forming the core of the Southern Kingdom.

The Apostle Paul, originally named Saul, was also from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). His transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a leading apostle highlights the redemptive work of God through the tribe of Benjamin.

Manasseh

Manasseh is the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, and the ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel. Like his brother Ephraim, Manasseh was adopted by Jacob and given a portion of the inheritance (Genesis 48:5). Despite being the elder, Manasseh received the lesser blessing from Jacob, who prophetically placed his right hand on Ephraim's head (Genesis 48:14-20).

The tribe of Manasseh was unique in that it was divided into two half-tribes, one settling on the east side of the Jordan River and the other on the west. This division is detailed in the book of Joshua, where the land allotments are described (Joshua 13:29-31; 17:1-11). The eastern half-tribe of Manasseh, along with Reuben and Gad, chose to settle in the Transjordan region, which was rich in pastureland.

Manasseh's territory was extensive and included significant cities such as Shechem and Megiddo. The tribe played a crucial role in the history of Israel, participating in various military campaigns and contributing to the nation's leadership. However, like Ephraim, Manasseh also struggled with idolatry and apostasy, as noted by the prophets.

Despite these challenges, the tribe of Manasseh is included in the eschatological promises of restoration and blessing, reflecting God's faithfulness to His covenant people.