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Ephraim -
Twelve Tribes of Israel
 The Tribe of Ephraim
(Hebrew alphabet אֶפְרַיִם / אֶפְרָיִם "double
fruitfulness"
Ephraim took precedence
over that of Manasseh by virtue of Jacob's blessing
(Gen. 41:52; 48:1). The descendants of Joseph formed two
of the tribes of Israel, whereas each of the other sons
of Jacob was the founder of only one tribe. Thus there
were in reality thirteen tribes; but the number twelve
was preserved by excluding that of Levi when Ephraim and
Manasseh are mentioned separately (Num. 1:32-34; Josh.
17:14, 17; 1 Chr. 7:20).
The name of Ephraim was
engraved in the Ligure stone which was considered to be
a stone of mystery. The name Ephraim means to be doubly
fruitful or productive. Joseph brought his two sons
Mannasseh and Ephraim to receive their blessing from
Jacob before his death. Although Mannasseh was the one
that was to receive the blessing of the firstborn (Deut.
21:17) in Joseph's family, Jacob crossed his hands and
laid his right hand upon Ephraim imparting the double
portion blessing (Gen. 48:14).This act by his father was
most mysterious to Joseph and quite upsetting. |
