Topical Bible: Ephraim: Mount of Joshua Has his Inheritance In

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Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes of Israel, holds significant historical and theological importance within the biblical narrative. The tribe traces its lineage to Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). Ephraim, along with his brother Manasseh, was adopted by Jacob as his own sons, thereby granting them a share in the inheritance of the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5).

The "Mount of Ephraim" refers to the hilly region in the central part of the land of Canaan, which was allotted to the tribe of Ephraim as their inheritance. This area is characterized by its fertile land and strategic location, making it a significant region in the history of Israel. The inheritance of Ephraim is detailed in the Book of Joshua, where the land is distributed among the tribes of Israel following their conquest of Canaan.

Joshua, the son of Nun, who succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel, was himself an Ephraimite. His leadership was instrumental in the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. The Book of Joshua records the allocation of the land to the tribes, including the portion given to Ephraim. Joshua 16:5-6 describes the boundaries of Ephraim's inheritance: "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."

The Mount of Ephraim became a central location for several key events in Israel's history. It was in this region that Joshua established the city of Shechem as a city of refuge and a place of covenant renewal (Joshua 24:1). Shechem, located in the hill country of Ephraim, served as a significant religious and political center. It was here that Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to renew their covenant with the LORD, urging them to serve Him faithfully: "But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).

The Mount of Ephraim also played a role in the period of the Judges. It was the home of several judges, including Deborah, who held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim (Judges 4:5). This region was also the setting for the account of Gideon and the conflict with the Midianites, as well as the tragic tale of Jephthah and his vow.

In the united monarchy, the Mount of Ephraim continued to hold importance. It was part of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the kingdom following Solomon's reign. The city of Samaria, which became the capital of the northern kingdom, was located in the territory of Ephraim.

Theologically, the tribe of Ephraim is often seen as representative of the northern kingdom of Israel, sometimes referred to simply as "Ephraim" in the prophetic literature. The prophets frequently addressed Ephraim in their calls for repentance and return to the LORD, highlighting the tribe's significance in the spiritual narrative of Israel.

Ephraim's inheritance in the Mount of Ephraim thus represents not only a geographical and historical reality but also a spiritual legacy within the biblical tradition. The region's association with key biblical figures and events underscores its enduring importance in the account of God's people.

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Judges 2:9
And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
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Library

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the ...
Verses 6-9 substantially repeat Joshua 24:28-31, and are here inserted to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm

On Deut. xxxiii. Ii
... Hippolytus, the expositor of the Targum, has said that ... And Joshua the son of Nun
lived 110 years ... they buried him in the city Thamnatserach, on Mount Ephraim. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/section x on deut xxxiii.htm

Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks.
... Kaiserwerth has become the parent of several other kindred institutions.]. ... his son,
which was given him in Mount Ephraim, as you may read, Joshua, the 24th ...
/.../chapter xxi last journey and.htm

A Death in the Desert
... Galilee, and the central mountain masses of Ephraim and Manasseh ... said to him, 'Die
in the mount whither thou ... Joshua could no more have wielded Moses' rod than ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a death in the desert.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... Joshua 3:10 ... True, we find Dan and Ephraim restored in the future distribution of
the Land ... be true of these 144,000, when they stand afterwards on Mount Zion (xiv ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... bounds set that none might touch the mount, which was to ... a captain, but rather say
as Ephraim, What have ... for them a sober, religious family, such as Joshua's. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Demonstration viii. --Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
... And why did Moses give the bones of Joseph to Joshua? ... because he was of the tribe
of Ephraim the son ... For He brought him forth to Mount Nebo, and showed him all ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration viii of the resurrection of.htm

The Historical Books.
... of Ai, the ratification of the law at mount Ebal with ... and the quarrel of the men
of Ephraim with Jephthah ... the death of the elders who overlived Joshua; (2) the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... here will I dwell" [2805] for this spot has my Saviour chosen ... Also when she was in
Mount Ephraim she made pilgrimages to the tombs of Joshua the son ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Canaan
... At Karnak, moreover, an Egyptian artist has represented the ... When Joshua crosses the
Jordan there is no ... to Judah, but extended into Benjamin and Mount Ephraim. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm