What is the difference between ephraim and israel

The district occupied by Ephraim was mountainous but very fertile Hosea ix. Its geographical position, midway between Dan, Benjamin, and Manasseh beyond the Jordan, contributed materially to making its possessor, Ephraim, the dominant factor in the political development of the northern tribes.

The mountains afforded protection; the Jordan and the sea were within easy reach; and the natural roads of communication between the north and the south passed through it.

Within its borders were the old centers of the religio-political life, Shechem, Aruma, and Shiloh, the seat of the Sanctuary. The character imputed to Ephraim reflects the rugged configuration of its home district Gen. Ephraim is equipped with "the horns of the wild ox" Deut. The deeds of the tribe reported in the Book of Judges bear out this characterization. It had a share in the expedition against Hazor and King Jabin Judges iv. Deborah is represented as residing in its borders Judges iv.

In the Song of Deborah the tribe is commended as among the first to respond to the summons to arms Judges v. Ephraim, jealous of its rivals for the leadership, has a dispute with Gideon about being neglected at the outset of his campaign against the Midianites Judges vii.

Under Jephthah the men of Ephraim again resented a slight of this kind xii. The Gileadites, having an old grudge against them Judges xii.

The episode is of linguistic interest, as in connection therewith the peculiar dialectic difference of theEphraimitic speech is recorded in the "s" pronunciation of the word "Shibboleth" ib. Abdon of Pirathon, an Ephraimite, is mentioned as one of the later judges xii. Samuel sustained close connections with Ephraim I Sam. In his selection of Saul as king, the jealousies of the tribe were well considered, the new monarch being a Benjamite and therefore an ally of Ephraim.

Thenceforth the history of Ephraim is merged in that of the Northern Kingdom, in which it remained the dominant factor, so that, especially in figurative speech, its name came to be used for the state of the Ten Tribes Isa. In II Chron. II Chron. Ephraim's rejection is spoken of in the Psalms lxxviii.

Ephraimites constituted an element in the formation of the new people, the Samaritans Ezra iv. Though for seventeen years Jacob instructed Ephraim, yet when the latter came with his father Joseph and his brother Manasseh to be blessed Jacob did not recognize him, because on seeing Jeroboam and Ahab, Ephraim's descendants, the prophetic spirit left him. Joseph then addressed a fervent prayer to God, and the spirit of prophecy returned. Jacob then saw another of the descendants of Ephraim, Joshua benNun, and thereupon gave the precedence to Ephraim over his elder brother Manasseh by placing his right hand upon his head and by mentioning his name first Tan.

Beth-horon is also an interesting city within the tribe of Ephraim. Beth-horon was divided into two distinct parts, upper and lower Beth-horon. Upper Beth-horon rested on the slopes of the Western Mountains, with Lower Beth-horon on the flat plain below. An interesting insight is given concerning Beth-horon in I Chronicles This particular passage in the Bible lists Ephraim's descendants. In verse twenty-three we are told of Beriah, a son of Ephraim.

Beriah was born to Ephraim after the death of two of Ephraim's sons; consequence of a cattle raid gone awry. Beriah is said to have had a daughter, Sheerah. It is Sheerah the Bible attributes the building of Beth-horon to.

This is quite remarkable, seeing how Sheerah is a woman. Women in antiquity were second-class citizens. They had little power and less say in daily affairs. They certainly were not given the task of building cities. However, this woman Sheerah must have been a remarkable and unique woman. The Bible credits Lower and Upper Beth-horon to her handiwork, as well as a third city, Uzzen-sheerah. Despite the role and limitations of women in many ancient cultures, Sheerah seemed to have risen above those limitations.

The Bible is silent as to the nature and life of Sheerah outside of her city building efforts. We are left to wonder at how a woman could ascend to such a position and build three cities.

This does reflect positively on the tribe of Ephraim, however. Perhaps the tribe was more open minded to such instances. There is no doubt she must have been a unique, strong, and solid woman, afraid of no man, and willing to put herself on the line.

The most important and famous cities within the tribe of Ephraim were Shechem and Shiloh. Though the Bible lists Shechem within the boundaries of Manasseh, many scholars say it was absorbed by the stronger Ephraim.

The two tribes, as stated above, are often mentioned together. A city on the border would be regarded as a city of both tribes to a degree. Regardless, these two cities were at the center of Israel's earliest political and religious development. Shechem was the first city encountered by Abraham upon his entrance into Canaan.

As Abraham and Lot encountered the Jordan, the Wadi Farah would have led them northward into the hill country of Ephraim.

From this route, Shechem would have been one of the first cities one encountered in the mountains. Abraham stopped at Shechem. It was there that Abraham, still Abram at the time, built an altar to God, thus establishing the sacredness of the site for the remainder of the history of mankind.

Shechem was central to the Abrahamaic Covenant from the earliest call of God to this great man of faith. It was thus equally important to the tribe of Ephraim, and no doubt created a sense of pride to have such a sacred city in the midst of their allotment. In Shechem God promised Abraham He would give the land to him and his descendants. The men of the tribe of Ephraim were attempting to fulfill this prophecy during the Conquest.

Shechem was a reminder of God's promise to Abraham. The city rested at the base of Mount Gerizim, with Mt. Ebal nearby as well.

The 12 tribes of Israel stood upon these mountains shouting blessings and curses earlier during Joshua's reign. The Central Ridge Route passed directly through Shechem. East and West routes are also located nearby, thus making it important in trade and communication.

Archaeological artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia with Akkadian motifs have been found in the area. The city had been in existence since before Abraham, whom is dated to around B.

Walls were eventually built, but the city was destroyed in the sixteenth century. However, it is mentioned in the Amarna Letters from the fourteenth century under the guidance of a man named Labaya. Labaya vacillated between loyalty and agitation with Egypt, eventually succumbing to a violent death. The city was also influential during the time of the conquest and settlement. Joshua lists Shechem as one of the six cities of refuge.

These cities were designated in various parts of the tribal confederacy. Shechem was designated as such a city likely because of it's significance, and it's location in the hill country of Ephraim. The cities of refuge were interesting facets of ancient Jewish law. These were cities which an individual guilty of accidental murder could flee and await trial. Once inside the walls of the city of refuge, the accused was free from blood vengeance sought by any relative of the victim.

He would remain in the city until a trial, at which point he would stand "trial before the assembly". If found innocent of premeditated murder, he would be free to live in that city of refuge until the death of the High Priest. The individual in question was free from revenge by an embittered relative within the walls. God made it clear, however, that if caught outside the walls, he was no longer protected by the city of refuge.

In such cases, the individual in question would be vulnerable to blood vengeance, with no guilt being assigned to the blood avenger. Upon the death of the High Priest, he or she was allowed to return to their previous home and way of life, free from guilt, and having served their sacrificial time for accidental bloodshed. This was an important point the Lord made to Moses. God did not wish war and bloodshed upon the land.

He wished for peace and prosperity. This is made plain by God in Numbers Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites.

Shechem, thus, took on extra significance within the tribe of Ephraim. It was a unique city with a unique history, one deeply connected with the law and promises of God Almighty. The second city of similar such importance was Shiloh.

Author and scholar Jon Bright stated that Shiloh was the "amphictyonic center after the conquest". This meant Shiloh was the central religious center of Israelite life. Joshua 18 gives an insightful glimpse into the importance of Shiloh. It was at this point that Joshua made the third division of land. The northern campaign had just ended with the victory at the Waters of Merom. Primarily the northern tribes were allotted territory; Naphtali , Asher , Issachar and Zebulun.

However, the tribes of Simeon, Dan and Benjamin, left out of the second division, were included as well. The tribe of Ephraim had received their allotment at Gilgal, the second such division. Judges mentions Shiloh in connection with the House of God residing at Shiloh.

Another important reference is found in I Samuel This is made in relation to the story of the great prophet Samuel's birth. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas were priests to the Lord there. It was here Samuel's mother promised her child to God if only He would allow her to conceive.

Samuel was God's answer. Shiloh was centrally located within the tribe of Ephraim, in the heart of the hill country of Ephraim.

Many scholars believe the center of worship came to Shiloh from Bethel. It had come to Bethel from Shechem, the first amphictynomic center of Israel. It is also important to keep in mind that the 12 tribes of Israel had yet to declare itself a monarchy. They remained a loose confederation of tribes, whose common God was the primary bond. Judges also places "the camp at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

This brought a degree of political clout, and Ephraim took full advantage. As will be seen, the tribe of Ephraim was instrumental in the political upheaval which led to the Divided Monarchy.

Joshua describes the lone Canaanite stronghold within the tribe of Ephraim. That city is listed as Gezer. Gezer was located in the southernmost regions of the tribe of Ephraim. Michael Grant, in his book The History of Ancient Israel , called Gezer "one of the few bastions the hill country of Eprhaim throws out towards the west". It is thus easy, in this context, to understand why the Canaanites would establish such a strong presence in the city. Interestingly, the city is also listed as one of the Levitical cities within the tribe of Ephraim.

Grant states the town did not lie at high elevation, yet commanded a view of the area in all directions. It sat at the junction of two important trade routes from antiquity.

Gezer was well-watered and very fertile. It has shown occupation dating from before B. The Canaanite city was twenty-seven acres in size. A wall thirteen feet thick has been discovered. This wall was destroyed, and an even larger wall was rebuilt in its place.

Verse nine speaks of cities which were shared between the tribe of Ephraim and its brother-neighbor to the north, Manasseh. It reads;. Further information is given in Joshua This passage lists the cities and borders of Manasseh. Verses eight and nine shed a valuable light on the relationship between the two tribes. And the border went down to the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook these cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh It would seem these two tribes peacefully shared territory within their tribal allotments.

Their borders were shared as well. Thus they maintained close border ties. Though other tribes shared borders as well, these two tribes are singled out in their descriptions. It is no coincidence the two tribes are mentioned frequently together in Scripture. In this instance, it is in conjunction with their borders. The brotherly bond had not dissipated over time between the tribe of Ephraim and Manasseh. Other notable cities include the city of Ephraim in John The exact location of this city is a subject of debate.

Some scholars associate it with Ophar, others with Ephron. II Chronicles refers to the city as Ephron. Regardless, its significance can be found in the fact that Jesus Christ retired there in John , seeking to escape the crowds and pressures of Jerusalem. One wonders what miracles He wrought in these hills, and the wisdom imparted to His disciples at this remote mountain enclave. The tribe of Levi became known as the Priestly tribe. They were set apart for God, and ordained by God to not receive a portion of the inheritance.

Jacob, however, allotted two portions to Joseph, one for each of his son. Jacob blessed the tribe of Ephraim into the twelve tribes of Israel. Levi, however, was the portion reserved for God.

Instead, God gave them cities from each of the other twelve tribes to dwell and live in. Each city also contained all of the pasture lands associated with that city. And they gave them Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasture lands, in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasturelands, and Kibzaim with its pasture lands and Beth-horon with its pasture lands; four cities.

Shechem was a city of refuge as well as a Levitical city. There were only five other of such towns throughout all of Israel. It is interesting to note the Bible tells us the Ephraimites failed to drive out the Canaanites from Gezer. Yet, Gezer here is a Levitical city. Scripture does record the Canaanites of Gezer were subjected to forced labor.

This may have included working the fields and pastures of the Levites, though such notions are pure speculation. The sons of Kohath received ten cities in all from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan and Manasseh. Four of these cities belonged to the tribe of Ephraim.

The hill country of Ephraim, also known as Samaria, starts with the Gilboan Mountains. These mountains are approximately 1, feet in height. Near Bethel, the mountains rise more than 3, feet. The northern part of the hill country of Ephraim belongs to Manasseh. Soft sedimentary rock make up these mountains, with Wadis criss-crossing the land.

A Wadi is a gullie created by runoff erosion over thousands of years. In the south rests the tribe of Ephraim. Here, a harder limestone resisted such erosion and formed an isolated plateau, 3, feet high with steep slopes on both sides. The plateau stretched from Shechem to Bethel. It was upon this plateau the tribe of Ephraim thrived. The soil here was very rich, and the Ephraimites took advantage of this, producing abundant and ample crops.

These people farmed the valleys and built terraces on the hillsides. Ample supplies of wheat, barley and olives were produced in the hill country of Ephraim.

The tribe of Ephraim sat atop a fertile plateau, steeply sloped and protected on each side. Its allotment was well defended by nature. The area was also known for its vineyards and orchards. Archaeology has shown an increase in settlement in the hill country corresponding to the Old Testament narrative. Many scholars feel this is indicative of an Israelite invasion into Canaan, a theory which is controversial at best amongst the world of academia.

One strong indication of Jewish settlement is the lack of pig bones from the hill country sites. The tribe of Ephraim occupied some of the most famous land in all of the Old Testament. Moses Blessing of Joseph in Deuteronomy speaks of the tribe of Ephraim's land. Again, Ephraim and Manasseh are mentioned together, and included in the blessing of Joseph. And with the best things of the ancient mountains, and with the choice things of the everlasting hills, and with the choice things of the earth and its fullness, and the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush.

Moses foresaw the prosperous and fertile land the sons of Joseph would one day inherit. Indeed their land was rich and the ancient mountains produced an abundance of food. The terraced hillsides proved productive as well. Ephraim was blessed, both with protection and production from its inheritance. Joshua is said by Scripture to have lived and died in the hill country of Ephraim. He was from the tribe of Ephraim, a direct descendant from the line of Ephraim himself.

After he had finished apportioning the land to the 12 tribes of Israel, "the sons of Israel gave an inheritance in their midst to Joshua the sons of Nun". Joshua's portion is given in Joshua So he built the city and settled in it. Not only did Joshua build and settle in this city, but he died and was buried there as well.

This is recorded in chapter 24 verse Joshua died, traditionally, at the age of He was born of the tribe of Ephraim during the desert wandering, had represented the tribe as a spy into Canaan, and led the Israelites into Canaan. He is one of the great men of Israel's glorious past.

He was a servant of God, successor to Moses, part-conqueror of the Promised Land; and yet very little is said of his death. The birth of Ephraim is found in Genesis Ephraim was the second born son to Joseph.

His older brother's name was Manasseh. Their mother was an Egyptian named Asenath. She was the daughter of an Egyptian priest of On. Thus it was that Jeroboam became king of Israel while Rehoboam remained king of Judah.

The first question is, if ten tribes went to Jeroboam and one Judah to Rehoboam, what of the remaining tribal groups? And what tribal grouping was it—land groups or blood groups? Or a combination of both? Moses, too, when he blessed the tribes of Israel Deut. Simeon was the only tribe of Israel to be completely surrounded by one other tribe—by Judah.

Benjamin, too, is mentioned as part of Judah at the time of Rehoboam see 1 Kgs. But by the time of Asa, king of Judah B. This is confirmed by the numerous passages listing the two tribes together. See, for example, 2 Chr. Jeroboam therefore expelled most of the Levites from his kingdom and appointed non-Levites as priests to serve in his apostate temples.

In time, however, both the northern and southern kingdoms were to suffer the fate of exile. The kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity by the Assyrians in B. The people of land Judah were more fortunate. In B. The genealogies of the returnees from Babylon inform us of the major blood composition of the kingdom of Judah.

They were of the blood tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. See Ezra ; Ezra ; Ezra ; Neh. If we include Simeon, which appears to have been absorbed as a blood group by Judah, we have four of the blood tribes of Israel accounted for in the southern kingdom of Judah, and they have endured with Judah all that has befallen the Jews the past 2, years.

As is well known, there is clear evidence that not all members of the tribes listed above were taken captive.