Portion For Reading Joshua 16-18Msg: Joshua 16
Tribe of Ephraim (Hebrew: אֶפְרַיִם / אֶפְרָיִם , Standard Efráyim Tiberian ʾEp̄ráyim / ʾEp̄rāyim; "double fruitfulness")
The Tribe of Manasseh: Mənašše, Tiberian Hebrew Mənaššeh: from נשני naššānî "who makes to forget") is one of the Hebrew tribes, which the Bible says was founded by Manasseh, the son of Joseph.
In the Bible
Manasseh were associated with the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin during the wanderings in the wilderness, and encamped on the west side of the Tabernacle. According to the census taken at Mount Sinai, this tribe then numbered 32,200 (Numbers 1:10, 1:35; 2:20-21). Forty years afterwards its numbers had increased to 52,700 (26:34-37), and it was at this time the most distinguished of all the tribes.
Manasseh were associated with the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin during the wanderings in the wilderness, and encamped on the west side of the Tabernacle. According to the census taken at Mount Sinai, this tribe then numbered 32,200 (Numbers 1:10, 1:35; 2:20-21). Forty years afterwards its numbers had increased to 52,700 (26:34-37), and it was at this time the most distinguished of all the tribes.
The half of this tribe, identified as the family of Machir, along with Reuben and Gad, had their territory assigned them by Moses on the east of the Jordan (Joshua 13:7-14); but it was left for Joshua to define the limits of each tribe. This territory on the east of the River Jordan was more valuable and of larger extent than all that was allotted to the nine and a half tribes in the land of Israel. It is sometimes called "the land of Gilead," and is also spoken of as "on the other side of Jordan." The portion given to the half tribe of Manasseh was the largest on the east of Jordan. It embraced the whole of Bashan. It was bounded on the south by Mahanaim, and extended north to the foot of Lebanon. Argob, with its sixty cities, that "ocean of basaltic rocks and boulders tossed about in the wildest confusion," lay in the midst of this territory.
According to critical scholarship, the tribal confederation of the Israelites changed over time, as evidenced, amongst other instances, by the very ancient Song of Deborah. In this, Machir is treated as a tribe in its own right, and thus is seen as only later merging with Manasseh, possibly via marriage. Thus originally, in some academic views, Manasseh was only a tribe on the west of the Jordan, but later, after merging with Machir, ending up with the half-tribe on the east.
The whole "land of Gilead" having been conquered, the two and a half tribes left their wives and families in the fortified cities there, and accompanied the other tribes across the Jordan, and took part with them in the wars of conquest. The allotment of the land having been completed, Joshua dismissed the two and a half tribes, commending them for their heroic service (Joshua 22:1-34). Thus dismissed, they returned over the Jordan to their own inheritance.
Territory for Ephraim
At the time of the first census in the wilderness this tribe numbered 40,500 (Num. 1:32, 33); forty years later, when about to take possession of the Promised Land, it numbered only 32,500. During the march, Ephraim's place was on the west side of the Tabernacle (Num. 2:18-24). When the spies were sent out to spy the land, "Oshea the son of Nun" of this tribe signalized himself as a member of the Tribe of Ephraim.
At the time of the first census in the wilderness this tribe numbered 40,500 (Num. 1:32, 33); forty years later, when about to take possession of the Promised Land, it numbered only 32,500. During the march, Ephraim's place was on the west side of the Tabernacle (Num. 2:18-24). When the spies were sent out to spy the land, "Oshea the son of Nun" of this tribe signalized himself as a member of the Tribe of Ephraim.
The boundaries of the portion of the land assigned to Ephraim are given in Josh. 16:1-10. It included most of what was afterwards called Samaria as distinguished from Judea and Galilee. It thus lay in the center of all traffic, from north to south, and from Jordan to the sea, and was about 55 miles long and 30 broad. The Tabernacle and the Ark were deposited within its limits at Shiloh, where it remained for an unknown amount of time. During the time of the Judges and the first stage of the monarchy this tribe manifested a domineering and haughty and discontented spirit. For more than five hundred years, a period equal to that which elapsed between the Norman Conquest and the War of the Roses, Ephraim, with its two dependent tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, exercised undisputed pre-eminence.
Modern communities claiming descendancy
On the west of the Jordan the other half of the tribe of Manasseh was associated with Ephraim, and they had their portion in the very center of Israel, an area of about 1,300 square miles (3400 km²), the most valuable part of the whole country, abounding in springs of water. Manasseh's portion was immediately to the north of that of Ephraim (Joshua 16). Thus the western Manasseh defended the passes of Esdraelon as the eastern kept the passes of the Hauran.
The Bnei Menashe, a group of Mizo converts to Judaism in northeast India, also claim descent from the tribe of Manasseh. In 2005, the Bene Menashe's claims were accepted by Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar, and have been regarded them as legitimate descendants and survivors of the tribe of Menasse and eligible to enter Israel under the Law of Return (although required to convert to Judaism to be recognized as religiously Jewish).
Modern communities claiming descendancy
Many Persian Jews claim to be descendants of the tribe of Ephraim. In addition, the Telugu Jews, relating similar traditions to those of the Bnei Menashe (recognized as descendants of the Tribe of Menasseh), claim descent from the Tribe of Ephraim, and call themselves Bene Ephraim.
Also the Church of God in Christ claims that the UK is the direct descendant of the tribe of Ephraim. They also claim the U.S.A. is the direct descendant of the tribe of Manasseh (see Jacob blessing both of them on his deathbed saying they will be the most supreme nations in the world like both countries are now.)
Subsequent disruption
Among the causes which operated to bring about the disruption of Israel was Ephraim's jealousy of the growing power of Judah. From the settlement of Canaan until the time of David and Solomon, Ephraim had held the place of honour among the tribes. It occupied the central and fairest portions of the land, and had Shiloh and Shechem within its borders. But now when Jerusalem became the capital of the kingdom, and the center of power and worship for the whole nation of Israel, Ephraim declined in influence. The discontent came to a crisis by Rehoboam's refusal to grant certain redresses that were demanded (1 Kings 12).
Source: Answers.com
On the west of the Jordan the other half of the tribe of Manasseh was associated with Ephraim, and they had their portion in the very center of Israel, an area of about 1,300 square miles (3400 km²), the most valuable part of the whole country, abounding in springs of water. Manasseh's portion was immediately to the north of that of Ephraim (Joshua 16). Thus the western Manasseh defended the passes of Esdraelon as the eastern kept the passes of the Hauran.
The Bnei Menashe, a group of Mizo converts to Judaism in northeast India, also claim descent from the tribe of Manasseh. In 2005, the Bene Menashe's claims were accepted by Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar, and have been regarded them as legitimate descendants and survivors of the tribe of Menasse and eligible to enter Israel under the Law of Return (although required to convert to Judaism to be recognized as religiously Jewish).
Modern communities claiming descendancy
Many Persian Jews claim to be descendants of the tribe of Ephraim. In addition, the Telugu Jews, relating similar traditions to those of the Bnei Menashe (recognized as descendants of the Tribe of Menasseh), claim descent from the Tribe of Ephraim, and call themselves Bene Ephraim.
Also the Church of God in Christ claims that the UK is the direct descendant of the tribe of Ephraim. They also claim the U.S.A. is the direct descendant of the tribe of Manasseh (see Jacob blessing both of them on his deathbed saying they will be the most supreme nations in the world like both countries are now.)
Subsequent disruption
Among the causes which operated to bring about the disruption of Israel was Ephraim's jealousy of the growing power of Judah. From the settlement of Canaan until the time of David and Solomon, Ephraim had held the place of honour among the tribes. It occupied the central and fairest portions of the land, and had Shiloh and Shechem within its borders. But now when Jerusalem became the capital of the kingdom, and the center of power and worship for the whole nation of Israel, Ephraim declined in influence. The discontent came to a crisis by Rehoboam's refusal to grant certain redresses that were demanded (1 Kings 12).
Source: Answers.com