Ephraim אפרים
Joseph's younger son, set first by his grandfather
The second son of Joseph and Asenath, born in Egypt. Joseph gave the name: "for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." In blessing them Jacob moved his right hand onto him, the younger, and said the words that have been said over sons every Friday evening since: "by you shall Israel bless, saying: God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh."
The sages ask why they in particular, and answer: they are the first brothers in the book of Genesis between whom there is no rivalry. Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers—everywhere a quarrel; Ephraim and Manasseh accepted the order their grandfather set, and kept silent.
From the tribe of Ephraim came Joshua son of Nun, who brought the people into the Land, and Jeroboam son of Nebat, who split the kingdom. Later the prophets call the whole north "Ephraim"—and, speaking of return, speak of him: "is Ephraim my dear son?"
On the timeline
Places
Sources
Tanakh
- Genesis 41:52 — his birth and the meaning of the name
- Genesis 48:13–20 — the crossed hands and «God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh»
- Numbers 13:8 — Joshua son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim
- 1 Kings 11:26 — Jeroboam son of Nebat of the tribe of Ephraim
- Jeremiah 31:20 — «is Ephraim my dear son?»
Basis: stated in the Tanakh.