S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Technically, there is no tribe of Joseph. Instead, Joseph received a "double blessing," and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, each became his own tribe (Genesis 48; Joshua 14:4; Ezekiel 47:13). T...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Bruce Lyon Supporter Elder: Restoration Fellowship Assembly

What should we learn from the tribe of Joseph?

1. Historical and Family Context
Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were born in Egypt to Joseph and Asenath.

Jacob/Israel later adopted them as his own sons:

“Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are mine.” (Genesis 48:5)

This effectively elevated them to tribal status in Israel. Gave Joseph a “double portion” inheritance through two tribes instead of one.

2. Jacob’s Adoption and Prophetic Blessing (Genesis 48)
The Crossing of Hands

Jacob intentionally crossed his hands:

Right hand → Ephraim (younger)
Left hand → Manasseh (older)

Joseph objected because Manasseh was firstborn, but Jacob insisted.

Core Prophecy

Jacob declared:

Manasseh would become: “a people,” “great.”

Ephraim would become greater than Manasseh
“a commonwealth of nations” until the end of the 18th century.

A key phrase: “his seed shall become a commonwealth of nations.” (Hebrew: melo ha-goyim)

Assyrian Exile and the “Lost Tribes:”

Around 722 BCE:

Northern Israel fell to Assyria. Many tribes associated with Ephraim and Manasseh were dispersed.

This led to later traditions about the “Lost Ten Tribes."

Scattered among nations

Future regathering

Ephrem and Mennassah at present:

Ephraim = British peoples, including the Commonwealth of Nations. Until the end of the 18th century, Britain was the most powerful nation on earth, which included the Commonwealth of Nations.

Manasseh = United States of America

Key Themes Summarized

Ephraim

Associated with:

numerical greatness
leadership
a northern kingdom

The Commonwealth of Nations (often called the Commonwealth) is an association of 56 member states, most of which are former territories of the British Empire. Formerly known as the "British Commonwealth of Nations," it evolved in 1949 to reflect a voluntary union of independent sovereign states.

Manasseh = United States of America

Associated with:

greatness
territorial expansion
strength

Since World War Two Mannasah = the United States of America has become the most powerful nation in the world.

May 14 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report