Topical Bible: Tribe of Ephraim: Many of, Joined Judah Under Asa

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The Tribe of Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Ephraim was the second son of Joseph, born to him in Egypt by Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52). Jacob, Joseph's father, blessed Ephraim and his brother Manasseh, giving Ephraim the preeminence despite being the younger (Genesis 48:13-20). This blessing set the stage for Ephraim's future prominence among the tribes of Israel.

Ephraim's territory was centrally located in the land of Canaan, bordered by the tribes of Manasseh to the north and Benjamin to the south. The land allotted to Ephraim was fertile and strategically significant, encompassing important cities such as Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was located for many years (Joshua 16:5-10).

Throughout the period of the Judges and the early monarchy, Ephraim played a crucial role in the affairs of Israel. However, the tribe's relationship with the other tribes, particularly Judah, was often marked by tension and rivalry. This tension is evident in episodes such as the conflict with Gideon (Judges 8:1-3) and the civil strife with Jephthah (Judges 12:1-6).

Despite these tensions, a significant event occurred during the reign of King Asa of Judah, which marked a moment of unity between Ephraim and Judah. Asa, noted for his religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh, called upon the people to seek the LORD. In response to Asa's reforms and the spiritual revival in Judah, many from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon defected to Judah. The Berean Standard Bible records this event in 2 Chronicles 15:9: "And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for many had defected to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him."

This migration of Ephraimites to Judah under Asa's reign highlights a moment of spiritual renewal and unity among the Israelites, transcending tribal divisions. It underscores the influence of godly leadership and the desire for true worship among the people of Israel. The movement of Ephraimites to Judah during Asa's reign is a testament to the tribe's responsiveness to divine leadership and their willingness to align with those who sought to honor God.

The Tribe of Ephraim, with its rich heritage and complex history, remains a significant part of the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of blessing, rivalry, and eventual unity under godly leadership.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 15:9
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... being divided, Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, the servant ... son of a Jewish mother,
of the tribe of Dan ... Euphorus and many other historians say that there are ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... of Jehoshaphat, a member of the tribe of Judah ... the current narratives, and omitted
many traditions that ... circulated,*** till a scribe of Ephraim, who flourished ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... following the Lord's death was marked by many coming and ... of Joseph, twelve thousand;
[196] Of the tribe of Benjamin ... of the Tribes of Dan and Ephraim: Levi and ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... as objects of God's vengeance for the many evils they ... The tribe of Dan at length
became weary of these ... certain Michah in the hill-country of Ephraim and lodged ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm