Ephraim and Manasseh in End Times Prophecy

Genesis 47:28–49:28, Jacob’s end times prophecy. The Jewish sages recognize that this final portion of Genesis chronicles Jacob’s wish to reveal to his sons some prophetic understandings pertaining to Israel’s long and numerous exiles, culminating in “the Final Redemption” or “the Second Exodus” (i.e. the return of Israel [all twelve tribes, not just the Jews] from her exile in “Babylon” at the end of the age just prior to and after the return of Messiah at which time the two houses of Israel will be reunited under Messiah Son of David).

Jacob states the timing of his prophecies regarding his sons in Genesis 49:1 when he predicts what will befall them “in the last days.”

The Jewish sages believe that prior to the establishment of the Messianic Age (or Millennium), all Israel will go into a time of darkness, gloom and exile.

The sages deduct the timing and tenor of this prophecy from the fact that the Torah scroll fails to place the customary nine spaces between the last word of the previous parashah (or Torah portion), which ends in verse 27 and the next parashah, which begins in verse 28. There is only a one space gap in the Hebrew letters between these two Torah portions, which predicts the “closing in” of Israel as they go into exile and captivity in Egypt.

The sages believe that these prophecies not only predicted Israel’s first exile into  and redemption from Egypt but also a latter, end times one as well because biblical history often repeats itself. This is evident by the fact that some of these prophecies weren’t fulfilled until Messiah came the first time and afterwards..

Genesis 48:5, Ephraim and Manasseh. Here Jacob gives Joseph’s two sons the first born status and blessing. Reuben and Simeon were disqualified because of sins they committed (see 1 Chr 5:1–2).

Genesis 48:6, Your two sons…are mine. Here Jacob was adopting Joseph’s two sons as his own, who in effect replaced Joseph as Jacob’s heir. In this way, Joseph received the double portion, firstborn blessings, since a tribal inheritance was bequeathed to each of his sons. Additionally, they were to be numbered among the twelve tribes effectively turning the twelve tribe nation into a thirteen tribe one, since the tribe of Joseph was split in two.

Genesis 48:14 and 16, Jacob’s Prophecy Over Ephraim and Manasseh

While prophesying over Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob crossed his hands over their heads making the symbol of the Paleo-Hebrew letter tav  (like the letter t or x in the alphabet), which resembles a cross and in that ancient Hebraic script and according to some Hebrew scholars pictographically means “sign of the covenant.” Jacob then spoke of the Heavenly Messenger (the Hebrew word malak mistranslated as “angel” in most Bibles) of YHVH (i.e. the preincarnate Yeshua) who had redeemed him from all evil (see Gen 31:11–13). Jacob then prophesied that the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh would become like “fish in the midst of the land” (literal translation of Gen 48:14–16; see The ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach).

In light of this prophetic symbolism, which present day religious group would qualify as having fulfilled Jacob’s prophecy as to who the descendents of Ephraim and Manasseh would be? Which religion on earth uses the fish as their symbol, speaks of a Messenger from YHVH as their Redeemer, and has the sign of the Paleo-Hebrew letter tav, which looks like a cross? The Buddhists? The Moslems? The Hindus? Even the Jews? No! Only Christianity fits this enigmatic criteria. Many Christians are without a doubt the literal descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh. Those who are not, according to the Paul the apostle, once they come to saving faith in Yeshua in some unique sense become the descendants of Abraham (e.g. Gal 3:7, 29). Many of these unsaved descendants of Abraham will recognize Yeshua their Messiah on the day that he returns to Jerusalem (e.g. Zech 12:10).

Which nation on earth is without a doubt still the greatest Christian nation? It is the United States of America. Having an understanding of how Jacob’s prophecy to Ephraim and Manasseh was fulfilled is the first piece of the puzzle in identifying America in Bible prophecy.

Genesis 48:15–16, Elohim…the Angel/Messenger. The Angel or Heavenly Messenger is here being equated with Elohim. This truth is confirmed in Hos 12:3–4 where we find similar parallel verbiage used.

Genesis 48:20, May Elohim make you. Many Jewish fathers pronounce this blessing over their sons every erev Shabbat (in Heb. this phrase means “entering the Sabbath,” i.e. Friday evening) to this day. If the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh became the Christians (of which there are presently about two billion on earth, see notes at Gen 46:14, 16), then what are these Jewish fathers asking of Elohim when pronouncing this blessing over their sons? That they become believers in the Christian Messiah (i.e. Jesus or Yeshua)?

Genesis 48:16, Let my name.The descendant of Ephraim and Manasseh would be known historically as the house of Israel.

Multitude in the midst of the earth. The ArtsScroll Stone Edition Tanakh translates this verse as follows: 

‘May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they [Ephraim and Manasseh] proliferate abundantly like fish within the land.’ Onkelos renders this verse as follows: ‘And like the fish of the sea may they multiply among the children of men on earth’ … The literal translation of VDS/dagah refers to procreation … [and] the word essentially denotes fish. (The ArtScroll Bereishis/Genesis commentary, p. 2117, emphasis added) 

What religious group on earth today has spread out across the face of the earth into all nations and has proliferated a message of Redemption pertaining to a Messenger of YHVH involving a cross-symbol resembling the ancient Paleo-Hebrew letter tav and a fish symbol? Obviously, this can only be a prophetic reference to Christianity.

Genesis 48:19, Multitude of nations.Here is what the ancient Jewish sages say about this prophetic verse pertaining to the descendants of Ephraim: 

Many nations will descend from him (i.e. the word melo, fullness, connotes abundance, the phrase meaning: And his seed will become the abundance of the nation [Neter; Karnei Or].) (quote by Ibn Ezra;TheArtScroll Bereishis/Genesis commentary,p. 2121).

The expression denotes abundant profligacy to a point that they will have to inhabit lands of other nations. It is an allusion to Ephraim’s expansive territory (quote by R. Avraham b. HaRambam; ibid.).

This refers to the Exile when the lands of others will be filled with his scattered descendants … See also Hos 7:8: “Ephraim shall be mingled among the nations. (a quote by Radak; ibid.)

What kind of blessing was this prediction that one day his descendants—the Ten Tribes—would be scattered among the nations? R. Munk explains: while it is true that the dispersion was caused by the unfaithfulness and sinfulness of Ephraim’s descendants (Hos 7:8ff), Jacob’s blessing was not in vain for “they will return to God” and will have their share in the world to come (Sanhedrin 110b). And R. Eliezer adds: “Even the darkness in which the Ten Tribes were lost will one day become as radiant as the day’ (according to the version of Avos d’Rabbi Nosson 36). And in the perspective of history, did not these exiled children of the Patriarchs enlighten the nations among whom they were scattered? They did so by teaching their conquerors the fundamental ideas of the knowledge and love of God, ideals they had never forsaken. Hence they too have a messianic vocation and their Messiah the. … Messiah son of Joseph (Succah 52a), also called Messiah son of Ephraim (Targum Yonasan on Exod 40:11), will play an essential role in humanity’s redemption, for he will be the precursor of the … Messiah Son of David …” (Ibid., pp. 2121–2122).

Ibn Ezra declares that many nations will descend from Ephraim, since the word many in this verse is the Hebrew word melo [TKN/mem-lamed-aleph] meaning “fullness,” and connotes abundance. The phrase literally means “and his seed will become the abundance of the nation” ([Neter; Karnei Or]; ibid. p. 2121)

R. Avraham b. HaRambam somewhat similarly states that the expression denotes abundant profligacy to a point that they will have to inhabit lands of other nations it is an allusion to Ephraim’s expansive territory (ibid.).

Can you better see in Jacob’s prophecies over the sons of Joseph and the resulting rabbinic interpretations of those prophecies, in a broad sense, are foretelling the Messianic or Hebrew roots movement (within the Christian church) of the final days? This movement will be instrumental in bringing the Christians (many of whom are descendants of Joseph’s sons) back to their spiritual Hebrew (or Book of Acts) roots as part of the restoration of all things before Messiah Yeshua, the Son of David, returns (Acts 3:21). The Book of Revelation also prophesies the last days Hebrew roots movement when it declares that the end-time saints will be those who have the message of the gospel or the faith and testimony of Yeshua the Messiah and who keep YHVH’s Torah-commandments (the Torah or instructions of YHVH given to Moses and Israel at Mount Sinai, Rev 12:17 and 14:12).

 

10 thoughts on “Ephraim and Manasseh in End Times Prophecy

  1. Looking just at the word Ephraim and seeing the ending as “im” which I understand to mean “plural” seems to fit with the definition of Ephraim=fruitful. Also read a definition of Manasseh (from Israelbiblecenter.com) as “relieved of debt.” Interesting. And what about the Scripture that proclaims that the Gentiles (that “we’ became) shall know His name is YHVH =Jer 16:21. =Hebrew roots movement=hey in Him we live and MOVE and have our being 🙂

    • I am surprised that the Israel bible centre defines Manasseh as meaning ‘relieved of debt’ when the Scriptures say it means ‘causing to forget’ (the past). Can’t see the connection.
      Blessings, Sonja

      • Hi Sonja may this help your understanding.

        A debt is something you remember constantly. It is always there so to be relieved of debt is a causing to no longer be remembered So a forgetting works in this sense.
        Be blessed and when you get to it Shavua Tov. FJ

  2. Before Forgetting comes forgiving.
    Yoseph had to forgive all the troubles he suffered at the hands of his family and at the birth of his firstborn son, he did this and forgot. Elohim first forgives and then ‘forgets’; it is His Way!
    Forgiveness comes with the First Born Son (Yeshua).
    Then Elohim forgets our sin.
    Debts are first forgiven, then forgotten.
    John

  3. The First Great Coming;- Manasseh (cause to forget)
    Ha Mashiakh, ‘Forgiveness’. Yirmeyahu 31:31-34
    The Second Greater Coming;- Ephraim (fruit)
    Ha Melekh, ‘Harvest’. All of Israel (true Israel) Revelation 14:14-16
    ‘CONNECTIONS’
    John

  4. There is much to be unpack on these two Chapter here in Genesis 48 & 49 but will limit it two comments. To understand what Jacob was saying, we have to go to chapter 35. He goes to Beth-el to meet God for a second time. There God tells him he was to become, “a nation;” “a company of nations” and ” kings would come from his Loins.” When we come to chapter 48, Jacob reverses the order by crossing his arms and places Ephraim Before Manasseh. Ephraim would become a company of nations and out of this first colony ( USA ) Manasseh would inherit his birthright promises. In chapter 49 is a continuation of 48 and there Jacob gives instructions to Judah; he was to be the royal dynasty and custodian & caretaker of the Torah. This Kingship would come first. Ephraim & Manasseh would be later fulfilled Jacob’s prophecy in 48 & 49 about these two sons of Joseph.
    Chapter 48 had nothing to do with a birthright. When Jacob said to Joseph, I know it, I know it. He was responding to Joseph’s statement ” This is the first born.” According to the law of birthright it had to go to the first born. Only Joseph could give it. It wasn’t within Jacob’s right to Give it to Ephraim or Manasseh. There is only on exception to this law. If a recipient dishonor the family then it could be given to another. if there were two wives then it must go to the firstborn of the second wife. In this case it was Joseph.

  5. I have been seeing the same numbers for a couple years over and over. I looked the meaning of the numbers and and they lead me to Mannaseh. Then recently I noticed new numbers and guess where the new numbers lead me, Ephriam. You information here is absolutely astounding. Thank you
    Do you believe that the fullness of the time of the gentile has come? Are we about to see an awakening of our Jewish brothers and sisters?

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