Did Joseph have other children?
Interesting Biblical Points concerning the Sons of Joseph.
Ephraim and Manasseh were the two sons of Joseph. They were promised to each have the status of a separate Tribe:
Genesis (CJV) 48:
3 AND JACOB SAID TO JOSEPH, "ALMIGHTY GOD APPEARED TO ME IN LUZ, IN THE LAND OF CANAAN, AND HE BLESSED ME.
4 AND HE SAID TO ME, 'BEHOLD, I WILL MAKE YOU FRUITFUL AND CAUSE YOU TO MULTIPLY, AND I WILL MAKE YOU INTO A CONGREGATION OF PEOPLES, AND I WILL GIVE THIS LAND TO YOUR SEED AFTER YOU FOR AN EVERLASTING INHERITANCE.'
A CONGREGATION OF PEOPLES. Hebrew "Kahal" (Community of) Amim (Peoples)." The Commentators said that Each Tribe was a separate People in its own right.
5 AND NOW, [AS FOR] YOUR TWO SONS, WHO WERE BORN TO YOU IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, UNTIL I CAME TO YOU, TO THE LAND OF EGYPT THEY ARE MINE. EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH SHALL BE MINE LIKE REUBEN AND SIMEON.
6 BUT YOUR CHILDREN, IF YOU BEGET [ANY] AFTER THEM, SHALL BE YOURS; BY THEIR BROTHERS' NAMES THEY SHALL BE CALLED IN THEIR INHERITANCE.
BUT YOUR CHILDREN, IF YOU BEGET [ANY] AFTER THEM.
The Hebrew text may be more literally translated as saying:
AND YOUR OFFSPRING WHICH YOU BEGAT AFTER THEM, cf. ESV, NASB, etc.
Points to Note:
Other sons of Joseph:
Apparently Joseph had other sons. These sons were assimilated into either Ephraim or Manasseh. This accounts for the apparent discrepancies between the accounts in Chronicles and those of Genesis 46 and Numbers 26. Chronicles lists the other sons who were counted as clans and families in Ephraim or Manasseh under the headings of either of the two.
Rashi (1040-1105): If you begat more sons they will not be in the quorum of my sons but rather counted among the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.
HaNatziv (1816-1893): At that time Joseph already had other sons that had been born to him since Jacob came down to Egypt.
This was also the opinion of Rabbi Samuel ben Hofni d.1034, Babylonia.
Two Tribes make One Tribe of Joseph!
The Quorum of 12 Tribes.
Ephraim and Manasseh were considered separate Tribes concerning each obtaining their very own portion in the Land.
Each of them had its own Prince.
Regarding ceremonial matters that did not involve the Princes they were considered together as the one Tribe of Joseph (Talmud, Horiot 6b).