The Tribe of Ephraim.

Census. According to the genealogical list (chap. 46) at the census in the wilderness of Sinai (Num. 1:32-33; 2:19) its numbers were 40,500, ranking tenth, and at the second census, had decreased to 32,500, ranking eleventh.

Position. The position of the sons of Joseph and Benjamin was on the west side of the Tabernacle (2:18-24).

Standard. According to rabbinical authority the standard of Ephraim was a golden flag on which the head of a calf was depicted.

Journeying. "All who were numbered according to their armies of the forces with Ephraim (Benjamin and Manasseh), one hundred and eight thousand one hundred-- they shall be the third to break camp." (Num 2:24).

Representatives. At Sinai the head of Ephraim was Elishama, the son of Ammihud (1:10). The representative of Ephraim among the spies was the great hero "Hoshea, the son of Nun," whose name was changed by Moses to the more distinguished form (Joshua).

Interesting Notes. Joshua was of the tribe of Ephraim. From the early days, the tribe of Ephraim was an influential force in Israel, being highly commended by Gideon (Judg. 8:2), and including such key religious and political centers as Bethel and Shechem. Following the revolt of the ten tribes after Solomon's rule, Ephraim became a leader in the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kin. 12:25-33). Often the name Ephraim was used for Israel because of the many members of this tribe and its leadership role. The Hebrew prophets, especially Hosea, chastised the tribe for idolatry (Hos. 4:17), spiritual unfaithfulness (8:9-10), and relationships with heathen nations (12:1). Ephraim was involved in an alliance with Syria against Judah and King Ahaz (2 Chr. 28:5-8; Is. 7:3-9). In 722 B. C., the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity in Assyria. This seemed to be the end of the tribe of Ephraim, but the Lord would not forget them. Through the prophet Jeremiah, He declared that these people were still His "dear son" and He would have mercy on them (Jer. 31:20). Years later, after God's people returned to their homeland following a long period of captivity in Babylon, "children of Ephraim" settled in Jerusalem (1 Chr. 9:3).

The Land Division. This tribe settled a territory bounded on the north by the territory of Manasseh (west of the River Jordan) and on the south by the territories of Dan and Benjamin (Josh. 16:5-10).

The Man Ephraim

Heb. efray-im; "fruitful"). The second son of Joseph by Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera born during the seven years of plenty.

Gen 46:20 And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him.

One incident in Ephraim's history is the blessing of his grandfather, Jacob. Contrary to the intention of Joseph, Ephraim was preferred before Manasseh (first born) by Jacob, and upon him was conferred the birthright blessing:

Gen 48:17-19 Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. And Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head." But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations."