The children of Joseph became two of the tribes of Israel, Ephraim and Manasseh. Unlike the other sons of Jacob, who each became a tribe, Joseph’s descendants formed two separate tribes because his father Jacob (Israel) gave Joseph a double portion of the inheritance.
1. Joseph’s Sons: Ephraim and Manasseh
📖 Genesis 41:50-52
“Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, ‘It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.’
The second son he named Ephraim and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.’”
🔹 Who were Joseph’s children?
- Manasseh (firstborn) → Name means “making to forget.”
- Ephraim (second-born) → Name means “fruitful.”
🔹 Who was their mother?
- Their mother was Asenath, an Egyptian woman, daughter of Potiphera, a priest of On.
2. Jacob Adopts Ephraim and Manasseh as His Own
📖 Genesis 48:5
“Now then, your two sons, who were born to you in Egypt before I came to you here, will be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.”
🔹 What happened here?
- Jacob adopted Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons, giving them the same status as his other sons.
- This elevated Joseph’s lineage, giving him a double portion of inheritance.
3. Jacob Blesses Ephraim Over Manasseh
📖 Genesis 48:13-14, 19
“Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him.
But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head.”
“His younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.”
🔹 What happened here?
- Normally, the firstborn (Manasseh) should receive the greater blessing.
- But Jacob crossed his hands, giving the greater blessing to Ephraim, the younger son.
- Ephraim became the more dominant tribe, fulfilling Jacob’s prophecy.
4. Ephraim and Manasseh Became Two Tribes
📖 Joshua 17:17-18
- When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Ephraim and Manasseh each received their own inheritance.
- This fulfilled the double portion blessing of Joseph.
🔹 What happened to them?
- Ephraim became the leading northern tribe, later symbolizing the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel.
- Manasseh was divided into two territories (one part west of the Jordan River and one part east).
5. The Fate of Ephraim and Manasseh
Ephraim
- Became a dominant tribe in Israel.
- Later fell into idolatry and was condemned by prophets like Hosea.
- Conquered by Assyria in 722 BCE, becoming part of the “Lost Tribes of Israel.”
Manasseh
- Part of the Northern Kingdom, also fell into idolatry.
- Some of their people survived and later returned in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Summary: What Happened to Joseph’s Children?
✅ Ephraim and Manasseh became two tribes instead of one.
✅ Ephraim, though younger, received the greater blessing and became dominant.
✅ Both tribes were part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
✅ They were conquered by Assyria (722 BCE) and became part of the “Lost Tribes.”
Would you like a map of their territories or more about their role in biblical prophecy? 🏜️🔥