Topical Bible: Tribe of Ephraim: The Leading Tribe of the Kingdom of Israel

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The Tribe of Ephraim holds a significant place in the history of Israel, both as a prominent tribe among the descendants of Jacob and as a leading force in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Ephraim was one of the two sons of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, and his Egyptian wife, Asenath. The name "Ephraim" means "fruitful," reflecting Joseph's declaration, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction" (Genesis 41:52).

Patriarchal Blessing and Prominence

Ephraim's prominence is rooted in the patriarchal blessing given by Jacob. In Genesis 48, Jacob adopts Ephraim and his brother Manasseh as his own sons, granting them an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. Notably, Jacob places his right hand on Ephraim's head, bestowing the greater blessing upon the younger brother, despite Joseph's attempt to correct him. Jacob prophesies, "His younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19). This blessing sets the stage for Ephraim's future leadership and influence.

Territorial Inheritance

The territory allotted to the Tribe of Ephraim was centrally located in the land of Canaan, encompassing a fertile and strategically significant region. The boundaries of Ephraim's inheritance are detailed in Joshua 16, which describes a land rich in resources and well-suited for agriculture. The city of Shiloh, an important religious center where the Tabernacle was located, was within Ephraim's territory, further enhancing the tribe's religious and political significance.

Leadership in the Northern Kingdom

Ephraim's leadership role became particularly pronounced during the period of the divided monarchy. After the death of Solomon, the ten northern tribes, led by Jeroboam, rebelled against Rehoboam, Solomon's son, and established the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Ephraim, as the most influential tribe, often served as a metonym for the entire northern kingdom. The prophet Isaiah refers to the Northern Kingdom as "Ephraim" in several passages, highlighting its central role (Isaiah 7:2, 9, 17).

Spiritual and Political Challenges

Despite its prominence, the Tribe of Ephraim faced spiritual and political challenges. The tribe's central location and influence made it a focal point for idolatry and apostasy, as seen in the establishment of rival worship centers in Bethel and Dan by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-30). The prophets frequently rebuked Ephraim for its unfaithfulness, with Hosea lamenting, "Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!" (Hosea 4:17).

Legacy and Prophetic Hope

The legacy of Ephraim is complex, marked by both leadership and spiritual failure. However, the prophets also speak of a future hope for Ephraim. Jeremiah prophesies a time of restoration, declaring, "I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning... Is not Ephraim My dear son, the child in whom I delight?" (Jeremiah 31:18, 20). This prophetic hope points to God's enduring covenant faithfulness and the promise of redemption for His people.

In summary, the Tribe of Ephraim played a pivotal role in the history of Israel, serving as a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom and a symbol of both the nation's potential and its need for repentance and restoration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 7:2-17
And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 31:9,20
They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Israelites
... overthrown in battle, and the tribe of Ephraim ... Henceforward the mountains of Ephraim
formed the centre ... Beyond leading his people into Canaan and establishing ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... (4) The ambition of Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, a valiant officer of ... For Study
and Discussion. (1) The events leading to the division of the kingdom. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... forth the opposition of the other tribes, especially of that of Ephraim. ... by the blessing
of Jacob, in which the tribe of Judah appears as the leading one ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

In Judaea
... Even at the destruction of Jerusalem the leading Rabbis aimed ... 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

Psalm LXXVI.
... was Joseph....This Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasse. ... our King, inasmuch as
born of the tribe of Judah ... back to the place whence He is leading thee forth. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvi.htm

The Prophecy of Obadiah.
... The leading thought is: The kingdom of God shall obtain ... are parts only) possess the
fields of Ephraim, and the ... compare vers.11-14, 20, 21), the tribe of Judah ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophecy of obadiah.htm

The Story of David, the Shepherd Boy
... Living at Ramah, in the mountains of Ephraim, there was a ... who was a farmer's son
of the tribe of Benjamin ... from Ramah to Bethlehem, about ten miles, leading a cow ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of david the.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... Joseph, the traditional father of Ephraim and Manasseh ... Nile or from desert tribe
to tribe came occasional ... administrative officers in the leading countries of ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... whole of the Sunteleia, "the Tribulation," and leading up to ... Joseph, twelve thousand;
[196] Of the tribe of Benjamin ... of the Tribes of Dan and Ephraim: Levi and ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.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 ... near the junction of the mountain tracks leading from the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm