Illustration created for this project.
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
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Family & lineage
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe name Ephraim (Hebrew 'Ephrayim') is built on the root p-r-h, 'to be fruitful,' and the narrative supplies its own folk etymology when Joseph names the boy because 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.' The apparent dual ending has long prompted scholarly discussion of whether it originally denoted a fertile region or double fruitfulness.
Standard onomastic analysis in Hebrew lexica (e.g. HALOT / BDB) on the root prh and the -ayim ending.
Where in scripture
GenesisNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudges1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 Chronicles
Genesis 41:52Genesis 46:20Genesis 48:19Genesis 50:23Numbers 1:10Numbers 2:18Numbers 2:24Numbers 7:48Numbers 10:22Numbers 13:8Numbers 26:28Numbers 34:24Deuteronomy 33:17Deuteronomy 34:2Joshua 14:4Joshua 16:4Joshua 17:8Joshua 19:50Joshua 20:7Joshua 21:5Joshua 24:30Joshua 24:33Judges 1:29Judges 2:9
…and 37 more mentions
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).