Ephraim

This article is about the second son of Joseph. For other meanings, see Ephraim (disambiguation).

This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.

Ephraim, by Francesco Hayez

Ephraim (Hebrew: אֶפְרַיִם/אֶפְרָיִם, Standard Efráyim Tiberian ʾEp̄ráyim/ʾEp̄rāyim) – "double fruitfulness" ("for God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction"). The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt (Gen. 41:52; 46:20). The first incident recorded regarding him is his being placed, along with his brother Manasseh, before their grandfather, Jacob, that he might bless them (48:10; comp. 27:1). The intention of Joseph was that the right hand of the aged patriarch should be placed on the head of the elder of the two; but Jacob set Ephraim the younger before his brother, "guiding his hands wittingly." Before Joseph's death, Ephraim's family had reached the third generation (Gen. 50:23). According to author Ahmed Osman, he is to be identified with Ay, alleged son of Yuya, who in turn has been identified as Joseph.

Ephraim's descendants were known as the Tribe of Ephraim.

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