◄ Numbers 1:10 ►
from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud, and from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;
Study Bible
from the sons of Joseph:
Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, is a significant figure in biblical history. His story, found in Genesis, highlights themes of providence and redemption. Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were adopted by Jacob as his own, effectively granting Joseph a double portion among the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5). This adoption is significant as it fulfills Jacob's blessing and prophecy, elevating Joseph's lineage to a prominent position among the tribes.

from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud:
Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph, received a greater blessing from Jacob than his older brother Manasseh (Genesis 48:19). This tribe became one of the most powerful in Israel, often representing the northern kingdom. Elishama, as a leader from Ephraim, signifies the tribe's importance and influence. The name Elishama means "God has heard," reflecting a common biblical theme of divine attention and response. Ammihud, Elishama's father, means "people of glory," suggesting a noble lineage.

and from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur:
Manasseh, the elder son of Joseph, was also blessed by Jacob, though with a lesser blessing than Ephraim (Genesis 48:14-20). The tribe of Manasseh was known for its large territory, which was divided between land on both sides of the Jordan River. Gamaliel, a leader from Manasseh, carries a name meaning "God is my reward," indicating a recognition of divine favor. Pedahzur, his father, means "the rock has ransomed," which can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, the Rock, who ransoms humanity. This connection to redemption and divine reward underscores the spiritual heritage and future hope of the tribe.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Joseph's account is pivotal in Genesis. He is known for his rise to power in Egypt and his role in saving his family during famine.

2. Ephraim
The younger son of Joseph, Ephraim was blessed by Jacob to become a great nation. His descendants formed one of the tribes of Israel.

3. Elishama son of Ammihud
A leader from the tribe of Ephraim, Elishama was chosen to represent his tribe during the census in the wilderness.

4. Manasseh
The elder son of Joseph, Manasseh also became a tribe in Israel. His descendants settled on both sides of the Jordan River.

5. Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
A leader from the tribe of Manasseh, Gamaliel was appointed to assist in the census and represent his tribe.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Leadership
God appoints leaders according to His divine plan, as seen in the selection of Elishama and Gamaliel. Trust in God's choices for leadership in your life and community.

The Importance of Heritage and Legacy
The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh remind us of the importance of our spiritual heritage. Reflect on the legacy you are building for future generations.

Unity in Diversity
Though Ephraim and Manasseh were distinct tribes, they were united under the larger identity of Israel. Embrace diversity within the body of Christ while maintaining unity in purpose and mission.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Joseph and his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, illustrate God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can we see the fulfillment of Jacob's blessings to Ephraim and Manasseh in the history of Israel?

3. How can we apply the principle of God-appointed leadership in our church or community today?

4. What steps can you take to ensure that you are leaving a positive spiritual legacy for the next generation?

5. How can the unity of the tribes of Israel inspire us to work together within our diverse church communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 48
This chapter describes Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh, where Ephraim is given precedence over his older brother, Manasseh, which is significant in understanding their roles in Israel's history.

Joshua 17
This passage details the allotment of land to the tribe of Manasseh, showing the fulfillment of God's promises to Joseph's descendants.

1 Chronicles 7
Chronicles the genealogy and descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh, providing further context to their roles and significance in Israel.
Sermons
An Honest PedigreeNumbers 1:4-16
Bank and ServiceW Jones.Numbers 1:4-16
God's Knowledge of His PeopleW. Jones.Numbers 1:4-16
The Lord Knows the Number and the Names of All Who Belong to HimW. Attersoll.Numbers 1:4-16
The Pedigree DeclaredC. H. Mackintosh.Numbers 1:4-16
The Men of Renown Who Managed the CensusD. Young Numbers 1:5-16
People
Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gideoni, Helon, Israelites, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Manasseh, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai
Places
Egypt, Sinai
Topics
Ammihud, Ammi'hud, Elishama, Eli'shama, Ephraim, E'phraim, Gamaliel, Gama'liel, Joseph, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Pedahzur, Pedah'zur, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 1:1-16

     5700   headship

Numbers 1:1-49

     5249   census

Library
The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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