Topical Bible: Ephraim: Mount of Prophecy Concerning Its Conversion

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Ephraim, one of the tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical prophecy, particularly concerning its future conversion and restoration. The tribe of Ephraim, named after the second son of Joseph and Asenath, was one of the most prominent tribes in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Its territory was centrally located, and it often symbolized the entire Northern Kingdom, sometimes referred to simply as "Ephraim."

Biblical Background

Ephraim's prominence is evident throughout the Old Testament. In Genesis 48:19, Jacob prophesies over Ephraim, saying, "His younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations." This blessing set the stage for Ephraim's future significance among the tribes of Israel.

The tribe's central role is further highlighted during the period of the Judges and the United Monarchy. However, after the division of the kingdom following Solomon's reign, Ephraim became a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom, often in opposition to Judah.

Prophetic Significance

The prophets frequently addressed Ephraim, both in terms of judgment and future hope. Hosea, in particular, speaks extensively about Ephraim's unfaithfulness and the resulting consequences. Hosea 7:8-9 states, "Ephraim mixes with the nations; Ephraim is an unturned cake. Foreigners consume his strength, but he does not notice. Even his hair is streaked with gray, but he does not know."

Despite these judgments, the prophets also foretell a time of restoration and conversion for Ephraim. Jeremiah 31:18-20 captures this hope: "I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ Is not Ephraim My dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD."

Mount of Prophecy

The concept of the "Mount of Prophecy" concerning Ephraim's conversion is not a specific geographical location but rather a metaphorical expression of the high point of prophetic vision regarding Ephraim's future. This vision encompasses the hope that Ephraim, representative of the Northern Kingdom, will one day return to the LORD with a renewed heart and spirit.

Isaiah 11:13 speaks to the reconciliation and unity that will occur: "Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim." This prophecy envisions a time when the divisions between the tribes will be healed, and they will be united in worship and purpose.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the prophecies concerning Ephraim's conversion are seen as part of the broader narrative of redemption and restoration that runs throughout Scripture. They reflect God's enduring covenant faithfulness and His desire to bring His people back to Himself, despite their waywardness.

The conversion of Ephraim is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the ultimate reconciliation and unity that will be realized in the Messianic age, when all of Israel, including the scattered tribes, will be gathered and restored. This eschatological hope is echoed in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul speaks of the "full inclusion" of Israel in Romans 11:25-26 : "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob.'"

In summary, the Mount of Prophecy concerning Ephraim's conversion is a powerful testament to God's redemptive plan for His people, highlighting themes of repentance, restoration, and unity that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 31:6
For there shall be a day, that the watchmen on the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise you, and let us go up to Zion to the LORD our God.
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Library

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... to the latter His Discourse on the Mount of Olives ... and warfaring Messiah, the Son
of Ephraim or of ... and almost blasphemous notices that the prophecy of Zechariah ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

The Great Change
... set upon following after idols; yet, before the prophecy is ended ... the wild thyme
and other products of Mount Lebanon! ... 8, 9. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the great change.htm

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied ...
... by the dove, was taken from the Mount of the ... is referred in theTargum to his prophecy
concerning kings that ... Messiah (the second, or son of Ephraim), and using ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix ix list of old.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... what will be the fulfilment of the prophecy of Daniel ... True, we find Dan and Ephraim
restored in the ... these 144,000, when they stand afterwards on Mount Zion (xiv ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

Another Royal Procession
... so I fear full often it is; the children Ephraim being armed ... implicit obedience,
for it is a sure prophecy of glorious ... for they were hard by the Mount of Olives ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/another royal procession.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... and twenty believers, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Joel ... also the words of Jacob
were fulfilled concerning Him, "A ... Also when she was in Mount Ephraim she made ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... commanded him to build Him a temple on Mount Zion; but ... not dwell in the Lord's land,
and Ephraim returns to ... Divine Being; and the former was a prophecy by fact ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Storming the Battlements
... situation"the joy of the whole earth"is Mount Zion, upon ... make a "full end" of her,
and the prophecy of the ... on me"ye shall not feed, like Ephraim, on the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/storming the battlements.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... true that in old Testament prophecy - whether figuratively or ... Lamb, [6177] as well
that concerning the Righteous ... of the Work of Christ - its reception, alike ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... Phogor corresponds to Priapus [4389] ); the latter in Mount Ephraim on the north
of Mount Gaash ... And he surely reminds us [4392] of Jacob's prophecy"he was ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm