Lexicon
אֶפְרַ֫יִם
eph.ra.yim
H0669
N:N-M-P Hebrew

Ephraim

180
Occurrences
19
Books
Hebrew
Language

eph.ra.yim names an individual and, more often, the people or territory identified with him in biblical narratives and prophetic scenes.

The name most often identifies a people or territory: it marks hill country, cities, and other locations, while also designating groups such as the sons of Ephraim and Ephraimites. In family narratives it names Joseph's son, and prophetic imagery can use it for the stick associated with Joseph and Israelite companions.

Senses in use

  1. The people identified as Ephraim · dominant

    The proper name identifies a collective group in clauses concerning the sons of Ephraim, their leaders, or people from Ephraim. In 2 Chronicles 28:12 the APB renders leaders called Ephraimites confronting the returning army; in 2 Chronicles 30:18 it includes people from Ephraim among those who had not purified themselves; and in Ezekiel 37:19 it places the stick of Joseph in the hand of Ephraim alongside Israelite companions.

  2. A named territory or geographic designation · common

    The proper name occurs in place expressions, especially with a mountain or hill country, and also labels a gate and a wood. In 1 Kings 12:25 the APB renders Shechem as built in Mount Ephraim; in 1 Samuel 9:4 it renders travel through its hill country; and in 2 Kings 14:13 it names the Ephraim Gate in Jerusalem.

  3. Joseph's son in family accounts · occasional

    The proper name identifies one of Joseph's sons in the family narrative. In Genesis 46:20 the APB names Manasseh and Ephraim as sons born to Joseph, while Genesis 48:14 describes Israel placing his right hand on Ephraim's head although he was younger.

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB generally presents the name directly as “Ephraim,” while its surrounding clauses variously frame it as a son, as people from Ephraim, or in place expressions such as “Mount Ephraim.” These English frames confirm the verse context rather than establish a separate rendering for every occurrence.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture