Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Book of Genesis. His life account, marked by trials and triumphs, sets the stage for the future of the Israelites in Egypt. Joseph's descendants play a significant role in the history of Israel, as they become two of the twelve tribes.

Ephraim and Manasseh

Joseph's primary descendants are his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, whom he fathered with Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52). These sons were born to Joseph during his time of power in Egypt, before the onset of the famine. In Genesis 48, Jacob adopts Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons, effectively granting them the status of tribal patriarchs alongside Jacob's other sons. This adoption is significant, as it elevates Joseph's line to a double portion of inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons is a pivotal moment. Despite Manasseh being the firstborn, Jacob crosses his hands and places his right hand on Ephraim's head, signifying the greater blessing for the younger son. Jacob declares, "He also will become a people, and he also will be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19). This prophecy foreshadows the prominence of the tribe of Ephraim in the history of Israel.

Tribal Significance

The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, collectively known as the "house of Joseph," hold significant positions among the tribes of Israel. Ephraim, in particular, becomes a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The tribe's territory is centrally located in the land of Canaan, and it becomes a center of political and spiritual influence. The prophet Hosea often uses "Ephraim" as a synonym for the Northern Kingdom due to its prominence (Hosea 4:17).

Manasseh, on the other hand, is divided into two half-tribes, with portions of its territory on both sides of the Jordan River. The eastern half-tribe of Manasseh settles in the region of Gilead, while the western half-tribe occupies land in central Canaan. This division reflects the expansive nature of Manasseh's inheritance and its strategic importance.

Legacy and Prophetic Fulfillment

The descendants of Joseph, through Ephraim and Manasseh, play a crucial role in the unfolding narrative of Israel's history. The blessings pronounced by Jacob over Joseph's sons are seen as prophetic, with their fulfillment evident in the subsequent history of the tribes. The tribe of Ephraim, in particular, becomes a symbol of leadership and strength, as seen in the leadership of figures like Joshua, who leads the Israelites into the Promised Land (Numbers 13:8).

The legacy of Joseph's descendants is also reflected in the prophetic literature, where the restoration and reunification of the tribes of Israel are often depicted with references to Ephraim and Manasseh. The prophet Ezekiel, for instance, speaks of the reunification of the divided kingdoms under one king, symbolized by the joining of the stick of Joseph (Ephraim) with the stick of Judah (Ezekiel 37:16-19).

In summary, the descendants of Joseph, through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh, hold a place of prominence in the biblical narrative. Their roles as tribal leaders and their prophetic significance underscore the enduring legacy of Joseph's line in the history and future hope of Israel.Genesis 46:20
And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bore to him.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 26:28-37
The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.
Nave's Topical Index

The Story of Jacob
... But only one of these was the child of Rachel, whom Jacob loved. This son was Joseph,
who was dearer to Jacob than any other of his children, partly ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of jacob.htm

Chapter xlviii
... from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head; and Joseph said to ... his father refused, saying:
I know, my son; I know ... The two men are placed before Jacob; he places his ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Chapter xlvi
... New Testament statement Acts 7:14: "Jacob "and all ... Soutalaam and Taam, and also one
son of Soutalaam ... These five descendants of Joseph may actually have become ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
... Joseph, of the house of David [that is, Joseph was of ... is expressly told in verse
35 that her son would have ... and he shall reign over the house of Jacob [That is ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/vi annunciation of the birth.htm

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... "Lehi had six sons, Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, Sam, Jacob, and Joseph. ... 3. Book
of Jacob, brother of Nephi. 4. Book of Enos, son of Jacob. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm

The Patriarchs.
... of Hebrews, after Heber, the great-grand-son of Shem ... There in Goshen, Jacob ended
the days of his pilgrimage ... sons, and was inspired to mark out Joseph among them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ii the patriarchs.htm

'The Hands of the Mighty God of Jacob'
... of poetry in the Bible"the dying Jacob's prophetic blessing ... Judah the ancestor of
the royal tribe, and Joseph. ... of these two, the blessing on the 'son who was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the hands of the mighty.htm

The Israelites
... as a tribe, merely the southern portion of the house of Joseph, which had ... inhabitant
of Beth-On." It is even questionable whether the son of Jacob from whom ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Chapter xxxv
... It hardly seems likely that this son's birth is ... and Zebulon; the sons of Rachel"Joseph
and Benjamin ... into a numerous people lay in Jacob's descendants at this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

A Calm Evening, Promising a Bright Morning
... Jacob knew his son better, and trusted him more than his ... Jacob, dying, had said to
him, 'Behold, I die; but God ... Joseph hands on the hope to his descendants. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a calm evening promising a.htm

What can we learn from the tribe of Joseph? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Joseph and his brothers? | GotQuestions.org

How long was Joseph in prison? | GotQuestions.org

Joseph: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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