Boy Old Testament Very common
Ephraim
fruitful; increasing
אֶפְרַ֫יִם eph.ra.yim
Ephraim (Hebrew: אֶפְרַ֫יִם, eph.ra.yim) means “fruitful; increasing”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Patriarchal period. In 2025 it was given to 231 children in the United States, ranking 988. Around 8,236 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Ammihud in Numbers 7.
Which Ephraim?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Ephraim
father of Eleadah; father of Zabad; related to Tahan
-
Ephraim
son of Joseph
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 44 across 9 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 231 | Steady |
| All-time total | 8,236 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 260 in 2017 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | NY | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 41:52 |
| Last appears | Ezekiel 37:19 |
| Cross-references | 725 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Elishama co-occurrence Appears with Elishama in Numbers 7.
- Ammihud co-occurrence Appears with Ammihud in Numbers 7.
- Manasseh co-occurrence Appears with Manasseh in Genesis 48.
- Becher co-occurrence Appears with Becher in 1 Chronicles 7.
- Shiphtan co-occurrence Appears with Shiphtan in Numbers 34.
- Kemuel co-occurrence Appears with Kemuel in Numbers 34.
- Shuthelah co-occurrence Appears with Shuthelah in 1 Chronicles 7.
- Gamaliel co-occurrence Appears with Gamaliel in Numbers 1.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.41.52;
son of: Joseph (H3130) and Asenath (H0621);
brother of: Manasseh (H4519);
father of: Shuthelah (H7803), Becher (H1071H), Tahan (H8465), Ezer (H5827), Elead (H0496) and Beriah (H1283H); also called Ephrathite (NIV: Ephraimite) at 1Sa.1.1; Ephron (Qere, KJV: Ephrain) at 2Ch.13.19;
§ Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful"
1) second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh
2) the tribe, Ephraim
3) the mountain country of Ephraim
4) sometimes used name for the northern kingdom (Hosea or Isaiah)
5) a city near Baal-hazor
6) a chief gate of Jerusalem
Ephraim was the second son of Joseph, and his descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel, often playing a prominent role in the nation's history.
The biblical story
Ephraim was the second son of Joseph, born to him in Egypt by his wife Asenath (Gen.41.52). He and his older brother Manasseh were adopted by Israel (or 'Jacob') and blessed, with Ephraim receiving the greater blessing (Gen.48). Ephraim's descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and they were often grouped with the tribe of Manasseh under the collective name "Joseph" (Num.1.32,33; 26.28,35,37).
The tribe of Ephraim settled in the central region of Canaan (Jos.16.4,5,8,9,10) and played a significant role throughout Israel's history. They were known for their military prowess (Jdg.5.14; Psa.78.9) and produced several notable leaders, including Joshua (Num.13.8), Abdon (Jdg.12.15), and Samuel (1Sa.1.1). However, they also exhibited pride and a rebellious spirit at times (Jdg.8.1,2; 12.1; 2Sa.20.21).
Ephraim, along with the other northern tribes, separated from Judah after Solomon's reign and formed the northern kingdom of Israel (1Ki.12.25). The prophets often addressed Ephraim, warning them of judgment for their idolatry and unfaithfulness (Isa.7.2,5,8,9; Jer.31.18,20; Hos.4.17; 5). However, there were also promises of restoration and blessing (Jer.31.6,9; Ezk.37.16,19).
In the New Testament, Ephraim is mentioned in the context of Jesus withdrawing to a village called Ephraim before his final entry into Jerusalem (Jdg.12.6; 1Ch.12.30; 27.20; 2Ch.25.7; Psa.78.9; 2Ch.13.19; 1Ki.11.26; 1Sa.1.1).
Key verses
Ephraim appears in 159 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Genesis 41:52 -
And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Poti–pherah priest of On bare unto him.
Genesis 46:20 -
And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
Genesis 48:1 -
And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
Genesis 48:5 -
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
Genesis 48:13
Show all 159 references
Genesis (9)
- Genesis 41:52
- Genesis 46:20
- Genesis 48:1
- Genesis 48:5
- Genesis 48:13
- Genesis 48:14
- Genesis 48:17
- Genesis 48:20
- Genesis 50:23
Numbers (12)
- Numbers 1:10
- Numbers 1:32
- Numbers 1:33
- Numbers 2:18
- Numbers 2:24
- Numbers 7:48
- Numbers 10:22
- Numbers 13:8
- Numbers 26:28
- Numbers 26:35
- Numbers 26:37
- Numbers 34:24
Deuteronomy (2)
- Deuteronomy 33:17
- Deuteronomy 34:2
Joshua (18)
- Joshua 14:4
- Joshua 16:4
- Joshua 16:5
- Joshua 16:8
- Joshua 16:9
- Joshua 16:10
- Joshua 17:8
- Joshua 17:9
- Joshua 17:10
- Joshua 17:15
- Joshua 17:17
- Joshua 19:50
- Joshua 20:7
- Joshua 21:5
- Joshua 21:20
- Joshua 21:21
- Joshua 24:30
- Joshua 24:33
Judges (22)
- Judges 1:29
- Judges 2:9
- Judges 3:27
- Judges 4:5
- Judges 5:14
- Judges 7:24
- Judges 8:1
- Judges 8:2
- Judges 10:1
- Judges 10:9
- Judges 12:1
- Judges 12:4
- Judges 12:5
- Judges 12:6
- Judges 12:15
- Judges 17:1
- Judges 17:8
- Judges 18:2
- Judges 18:13
- Judges 19:1
- Judges 19:16
- Judges 19:18
1 Samuel (3)
- 1 Samuel 1:1
- 1 Samuel 9:4
- 1 Samuel 14:22
2 Samuel (2)
- 2 Samuel 2:9
- 2 Samuel 20:21
1 Kings (3)
- 1 Kings 4:8
- 1 Kings 11:26
- 1 Kings 12:25
2 Kings (1)
- 2 Kings 5:22
1 Chronicles (9)
- 1 Chronicles 6:66
- 1 Chronicles 6:67
- 1 Chronicles 7:20
- 1 Chronicles 7:22
- 1 Chronicles 9:3
- 1 Chronicles 12:30
- 1 Chronicles 27:10
- 1 Chronicles 27:14
- 1 Chronicles 27:20
2 Chronicles (16)
- 2 Chronicles 13:4
- 2 Chronicles 13:19
- 2 Chronicles 15:8
- 2 Chronicles 15:9
- 2 Chronicles 17:2
- 2 Chronicles 19:4
- 2 Chronicles 25:7
- 2 Chronicles 25:10
- 2 Chronicles 28:7
- 2 Chronicles 28:12
- 2 Chronicles 30:1
- 2 Chronicles 30:10
- 2 Chronicles 30:18
- 2 Chronicles 31:1
- 2 Chronicles 34:6
- 2 Chronicles 34:9
Psalms (5)
- Psalms 60:7
- Psalms 78:9
- Psalms 78:67
- Psalms 80:2
- Psalms 108:8
Isaiah (11)
- Isaiah 7:2
- Isaiah 7:5
- Isaiah 7:8
- Isaiah 7:9
- Isaiah 7:17
- Isaiah 9:9
- Isaiah 9:21
- Isaiah 11:13
- Isaiah 17:3
- Isaiah 28:1
- Isaiah 28:3
Jeremiah (6)
- Jeremiah 7:15
- Jeremiah 31:6
- Jeremiah 31:9
- Jeremiah 31:18
- Jeremiah 31:20
- Jeremiah 50:19
Ezekiel (4)
- Ezekiel 37:16
- Ezekiel 37:19
- Ezekiel 48:5
- Ezekiel 48:6
Hosea (32)
- Hosea 4:17
- Hosea 5:3
- Hosea 5:5
- Hosea 5:9
- Hosea 5:11
- Hosea 5:12
- Hosea 5:13
- Hosea 5:14
- Hosea 6:4
- Hosea 6:10
- Hosea 7:1
- Hosea 7:8
- Hosea 7:11
- Hosea 8:9
- Hosea 8:11
- Hosea 9:3
- Hosea 9:8
- Hosea 9:11
- Hosea 9:13
- Hosea 9:16
- Hosea 10:6
- Hosea 10:11
- Hosea 11:3
- Hosea 11:8
- Hosea 11:9
- Hosea 11:12
- Hosea 12:1
- Hosea 12:8
- Hosea 12:14
- Hosea 13:1
- Hosea 13:12
- Hosea 14:8
Obadiah (1)
- Obadiah 1:19
Zechariah (3)
- Zechariah 9:10
- Zechariah 9:13
- Zechariah 10:7