Genesis 48
BlessingJacob crosses his hands and sets Ephraim, the younger son, before Manasseh.
Tribe of Israel
Ephraim
Jacob set Ephraim ahead of Manasseh in Genesis 48.
half tribe
Blessings
What the text gives
Territory
Joshua allotment
Ephraim's inheritance runs through the central hill country, with borders tied to Bethel, Ataroth, Beth Horon, Gezer, and the sea.
Joshua also notes towns set apart for Ephraim inside Manasseh's inheritance.
The passage closes by noting that the Canaanites in Gezer were not driven out but lived among Ephraim under forced labor.
Where It Matters
Shiloh stood in Ephraim's hill country as the place where the tent of meeting was set up, and Joshua himself was from Ephraim.
Levitical Cities
Ephraim gave Shechem, Gezer, Kibzaim, and Beth Horon to the Levites; Shechem was a city of refuge.
ShechemGezerKibzaimBeth Horon
Notable Members
Named in Scripture
Joshua
Joshua son of Nun is identified from Ephraim.
Jeroboam I
Jeroboam I is identified as an Ephraimite.
Samuel
Samuel is Levite by lineage but Ephraimite by residence in Ramathaim Zophim.