Ephraim
The younger son of Joseph, given the greater blessing by Jacob; his tribe became a leading one in the north.
What we know — and how we know it
Where in scripture
GenesisNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudges1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesThe name of the second, he called Ephraim: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Genesis 41:52 — Born in Egypt
To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him.
Genesis 46:20
His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a multitude of nations.”
Genesis 48:19 — The greater blessing
Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.
Genesis 50:23
Of the children of Joseph: Of Ephraim: Elishama the son of Ammihud. Of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Numbers 1:10
“On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their divisions: and the prince of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
Numbers 2:18
“All who were counted of the camp of Ephraim were one hundred eight thousand one hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out third.
Numbers 2:24
On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim
Numbers 7:48
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 3 recorded sayings
“The bricks have come down, but we will put up buildings of cut stone in their place: the sycamores are cut down, but they will be changed to cedars.” — Isaiah 9:10
“Truly, after I had been turned, I had regret for my ways; and after I had got knowledge, I made signs of sorrow: I was put to shame, truly, I was covered with shame, because I had to undergo the shame of my early years. Is Ephraim my dear son? is he the child of my delight? for whenever I say things against him, I still keep him in my memory: so my heart is troubled for him; I will certainly have mercy on him, says the Lord. Put up guiding pillars, make road signs for yourself: give attention to the highway, even the way in which you went: be turned again, O virgin of Israel, be turned to…” — Jeremiah 31:19-23
“And Ephraim said, Now I have got wealth and much property; in all my works no sin may be seen in me.” — Hosea 12:8
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
