Ephraim business owners have taken a step toward rebuilding their business after a fire devastated a portion of their inn more than a year ago. A fire broke out in the north wing of the Ephraim Inn, ... DOOR COUNTY (WITI) -- A tough break Monday, December 30th for the owners of a Door County bed and breakfast at the end of the year.

Understanding the Context

A fire broke out at the Ephraim Inn -- and firefighters had to fight ... Ephraim (/ ˈiːfriəm /; [1] Hebrew: אֶפְרַיִם‎, romanized: ʾEp̄rayīm, in pausa: אֶפְרָיִם ‎ ʾEp̄rāyīm) was, according to the Book of Genesis, the second son of Joseph ben Jacob and Asenath, as well as the adopted son of his biological grandfather Jacob, making him the progenitor of the Tribe of Ephraim. Ephraim is the name of Joseph's youngest of two sons, the firstborn being Manasseh (Genesis 41:52). After Jacob (Israel) migrated to the country with his entire family, he "adopted" the two boys and made them the primary partakers of God's blessings.

Key Insights

Ephraim holds a significant place in biblical history, emerging as a prominent figure within the larger narrative of the Israelites. Ephraim, along with his brother Manasseh, were the sons of Joseph, who himself was one of Jacob's twelve sons. The Hebrew word for Ephraim means “double fruit.” 1 However, Ephraim is used in a number of ways in the Bible. All of them will be explained in order to provide a complete understanding of Ephraim. The first time Ephraim appears in the Bible, it is used for a man’s name (Genesis 41:50-52).

Final Thoughts

What does Ephraim mean and how is it used in the Bible? Ephraim was the second son of Joseph and a grandson of Jacob. His name means “doubly fruitful,” because “God has made [Joseph] fruitful in the land of [his] suffering” (Genesis 41:52).