Person · Bible dictionary
Ephraim
The younger son of Joseph, blessed above his older brother by Jacob — and the head of one of the leading tribes of Israel.
Joseph brought his two sons to be blessed by aged Jacob. Crossing his hands, Jacob put the blessing of the firstborn on the younger Ephraim.
The tribe of Ephraim became one of the most prominent in the northern kingdom; "Ephraim" often stands as a name for that kingdom.
His blessing illustrates God's recurring habit of choosing the unexpected, not the conventional.
Original BibleDawn entry. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.