The meaning of Ephraim, The tribe of in the Bible
(From Easton's Bible Dictionary)

took precedence over that of Manasseh by virtue of Jacob's blessing (Genesis 41:52; 48:1). The descendants of Joseph formed two of the tribes of Israel, whereas each of the other sons of Jacob was the founder of only one tribe. Thus there were in reality thirteen tribes; but the number twelve was preserved by excluding that of Levi when Ephraim and Manasseh are mentioned separately (Numbers 1:32-34; Joshua 17:14,17; I Chronicles 7:20).

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