Son of [[Joseph]] and [[Asenath]] Name means "God has made me fruitful" or "doubly fruitful" Younger brother of [[Manasseh]] Born in [[Egypt]] during the seven years of plenty, before the famine ([[Genesis 41]]:52) Adopted by [[Jacob]] as his own son in [[Genesis 48]], receiving equal inheritance with [[Jacob]]'s direct sons. Despite being younger than [[Manasseh]], received the greater blessing when [[Jacob]] crossed his hands, placing his right hand on [[Ephraim]]'s head - another instance of [[Younger supplanting older]]. [[Jacob]] prophesied that [[Ephraim]] would be greater than [[Manasseh]] and his descendants would become "a multitude of nations" ([[Genesis 48]]:19). The blessing formula became "May God make you as [[Ephraim]] and [[Manasseh]]," with [[Ephraim]] named first despite being younger ([[Genesis 48]]:20). Through [[Jacob]]'s adoption, [[Ephraim]] and [[Manasseh]] effectively gave [[Joseph]] a double portion of inheritance, which was traditionally the firstborn's right (transferred from [[Reuben]] who forfeited it). Later became one of the tribes of [[Israel]], often representing the entire northern kingdom in prophetic literature.