The tribe of Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes of Israel, was named after the younger son of Joseph, who was blessed by Jacob (Israel) with a greater blessing than his older brother Manasseh (Genesis 48:13-20). The land allotted to Ephraim was situated in the central part of Canaan, a region known for its fertile hills and valleys, making it a significant area for agriculture and settlement.

The boundaries of Ephraim are detailed in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 16:5-10. The description of the territory is as follows:

Northern Boundary: The northern boundary of Ephraim began at Ataroth-addar and extended to Upper Beth-horon. This area marked the border with the tribe of Benjamin to the south and the tribe of Manasseh to the north.

Eastern Boundary: The eastern boundary stretched from Upper Beth-horon to the Mediterranean Sea, encompassing the region around Gezer. This boundary delineated Ephraim from the coastal territories and the Philistine lands.

Southern Boundary: The southern boundary ran from Ataroth-addar to Lower Beth-horon, then to the vicinity of Jericho, and finally to the Jordan River. This line separated Ephraim from the tribe of Benjamin.

Western Boundary: The western boundary was less explicitly defined in the biblical text but generally followed the natural contours of the land, including the hills and valleys that characterized the region.

Joshua 16:5-7 provides a concise description: "This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon and continued to the sea. From Michmethath on the north, it curved eastward to Taanath-shiloh, passing by it to the east of Janoah. Then it went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho, and came out at the Jordan."

The territory of Ephraim was strategically significant, as it included important cities such as Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was located for many years, and Shechem, a city of refuge and a center of early Israelite worship and governance. The fertile land and central location contributed to Ephraim's prominence among the tribes of Israel.

Ephraim's boundaries, as described in the biblical text, reflect both the geographical features of the land and the tribal divisions established during the conquest of Canaan. The tribe played a crucial role in the history of Israel, often serving as a leader among the northern tribes and being associated with the Kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy.