What are the differences between the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh according to the Bible?

The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were two of the twelve tribes of Israel, and they were both descendants of Joseph, the son of Jacob. While they shared a common ancestry, there were some significant differences between these two tribes according to the Bible.

Firstly, the tribe of Ephraim was larger and more prominent than the tribe of Manasseh. This is reflected in several passages in the Bible. For example, in Numbers 1:32-33, the tribe of Ephraim is listed as having 40,500 men of fighting age, while the tribe of Manasseh had only 32,200. Additionally, when Moses blessed the tribes before his death, he gave the tribe of Ephraim a more prominent blessing, saying that they would become a "multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19).

Secondly, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh had different territories in the Promised Land. According to Joshua 17, the tribe of Manasseh was given the territory to the east of the Jordan River, while the tribe of Ephraim was given the territory to the west of the Jordan River. This division was made because the tribe of Manasseh had requested the land to the east, which was more suitable for their large herds of livestock.

Thirdly, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh had different leaders. The tribe of Ephraim was led by Joshua, who was one of the most important figures in Israelite history. Joshua was a military leader who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites in the conquest of the Promised Land. The tribe of Manasseh, on the other hand, was led by a number of different leaders, including Gideon and Jephthah.

Finally, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh had different reputations in the Bible. The tribe of Ephraim was known for being proud and rebellious, as seen in Judges 8:1-3, where the tribe of Ephraim became angry with Gideon for not including them in his battles against the Midianites. The tribe of Manasseh, on the other hand, is not as prominent in the Bible, and they do not have a strong reputation either positively or negatively.