Who was more populous? Ephraim or Manasseh? 26 December 2025, 6 Tevet 5786.
Which Tribe was the most populous? Ephraim or Manasseh?
Contents:
5. Conclusion.
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Jacob before he passed away blessed Joseph:
Deuteronomy 33: 13-17
"AND OF JOSEPH HE SAID, BLESSED OF THE LORD BE HIS LAND (FOR THE PRECIOUS THINGS OF HEAVEN, FOR THE DEW, AND FOR THE DEEP THAT CROUCHETH BENEATH, AND FOR THE PRECIOUS FRUITS... AND FOR THE CHIEF THINGS OF THE ANCIENT MOUNTAINS OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS...OF THE EARTH AND FULLNESS THEREOF...THE GOOD WILL OF HIM THAT DWELT IN THE BUSH.. HIS GLORY IS LIKE THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULL, AND HIS HORNS, ARE LIKE THE HORN OF A UNICORN WITH THEM HE SHALL PUSH THE PEOPLE TOGETHER UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: AND THEY ARE THE TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM, AND THEY ARE THE THOUSANDS OF MENASSEH."
"AND OF JOSEPH HE SAID, BLESSED OF THE LORD BE HIS LAND (FOR THE PRECIOUS THINGS OF HEAVEN, FOR THE DEW, AND FOR THE DEEP THAT CROUCHETH BENEATH, AND FOR THE PRECIOUS FRUITS... AND FOR THE CHIEF THINGS OF THE ANCIENT MOUNTAINS OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS...OF THE EARTH AND FULLNESS THEREOF...THE GOOD WILL OF HIM THAT DWELT IN THE BUSH.. HIS GLORY IS LIKE THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULL, AND HIS HORNS, ARE LIKE THE HORN OF A UNICORN WITH THEM HE SHALL PUSH THE PEOPLE TOGETHER UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: AND THEY ARE THE TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM, AND THEY ARE THE THOUSANDS OF MENASSEH."
Here we have a prediction that Joseph would be pushed together unto the ENDS OF THE EARTH. We have shown how in Biblical terms this could refer to the British Isles and North America, see:
here we have several identifying points indicating the British Isles, e.g.
THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULL, AND HIS HORNS, ARE LIKE THE HORN OF A UNICORN
England is nicknames "John Bull." So too, the Hebrew word for "bull-calf" is "Aegel" which could be pronounced as "Angle." The Angles and Saxons conquered the area of England and settled in it. The Angles gave their name to England and they werre sometimes referred to in their own time "Aegels."
In the verse above it is indicated that Ephraim will be more populous than Manasseh.
"THEY ARE THE TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM, AND THEY ARE THE THOUSANDS OF MENASSEH."
We identify Ephraim with England and Manasseh with America. The USA however today is much more populous than England.
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2. Population Statistics.
AI Overview USA
The U.S. population is around 343-348 million, with the U.S. Census Bureau showing over 343 million, Worldometer estimating over 348 million for late 2025, and other sources placing it near 341-342 million for late 2024/early 2025, consistently ranking it the third most populous country globally, behind India and China. The population grew by about 0.98% in the year leading up to July 2024, with the South being the fastest-growing region.
AI Overview England
England's population is around 58.6 million as of mid-2024, making up the largest portion (about 84%) of the UK's total, with significant growth driven by migration and births, concentrated in areas like London and the Midlands. Official estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a steady increase, exceeding 57.1 million by mid-2022 and continuing upward.
AI Overview USA
The U.S. population is around 343-348 million, with the U.S. Census Bureau showing over 343 million, Worldometer estimating over 348 million for late 2025, and other sources placing it near 341-342 million for late 2024/early 2025, consistently ranking it the third most populous country globally, behind India and China. The population grew by about 0.98% in the year leading up to July 2024, with the South being the fastest-growing region.
AI Overview England
England's population is around 58.6 million as of mid-2024, making up the largest portion (about 84%) of the UK's total, with significant growth driven by migration and births, concentrated in areas like London and the Midlands. Official estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a steady increase, exceeding 57.1 million by mid-2022 and continuing upward.
Rngland is part of the UK. The UK incl;udes England, Scotalnd, North Ireland, and Wales.
AI Overview UK
The UK population is around 69.3 to 69.7 million, with estimates suggesting it was approximately 69.3 million in 2024 and projected to be around 69.7 million by late 2025, continuing its growth trend. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) place the mid-2022 population at 67.6 million, with projections indicating it will surpass 70 million by 2026, making it one of Europe's largest nations.
Australia
Australia's population is around 27.2 to 27.3 million.
Canada
Canada's population is estimated at over 41.6 million as of late 2025
New Zealand
As of late 2025, New Zealand's estimated resident population is approximately 5.33 million people.
AI South Africa
As of 2025, South Africa's population is approximately 63.1 million, with Black Africans forming the majority at roughly 82% (51.6 million). The White population is estimated at 4.5 million, representing about 7.3% (as of 2022 data). Many of the white population descend from Boers of Dutch, French (Huguenot), and German ancestry. Nevertheless we have included them here together with Ephraim.
Estimated Total for Ephraim Nations:
148.43 million.
AI Overview UK
The UK population is around 69.3 to 69.7 million, with estimates suggesting it was approximately 69.3 million in 2024 and projected to be around 69.7 million by late 2025, continuing its growth trend. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) place the mid-2022 population at 67.6 million, with projections indicating it will surpass 70 million by 2026, making it one of Europe's largest nations.
Australia
Australia's population is around 27.2 to 27.3 million.
Canada
Canada's population is estimated at over 41.6 million as of late 2025
New Zealand
As of late 2025, New Zealand's estimated resident population is approximately 5.33 million people.
AI South Africa
As of 2025, South Africa's population is approximately 63.1 million, with Black Africans forming the majority at roughly 82% (51.6 million). The White population is estimated at 4.5 million, representing about 7.3% (as of 2022 data). Many of the white population descend from Boers of Dutch, French (Huguenot), and German ancestry. Nevertheless we have included them here together with Ephraim.
Estimated Total for Ephraim Nations:
148.43 million.
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3. Does the USA also have more from Ephraim?
The US therefore has more than twice as many inhabitants than Britain and its offshoots.
We could play around with the figures pointing out that more than half the US population is colored and therefore perhaps not all of Israelite descent.
The other Ephraim nations also have many who may not possibly be of Hebrew stock.
The solution however seems to lie elsewhere.
It may be that many (perhaps the majority) of Israelite descendants in the USA are physically descended from Ephraim BUT Manasseh dominates culturally and otherwise. We have discussed this before.
The US therefore has more than twice as many inhabitants than Britain and its offshoots.
We could play around with the figures pointing out that more than half the US population is colored and therefore perhaps not all of Israelite descent.
The other Ephraim nations also have many who may not possibly be of Hebrew stock.
The solution however seems to lie elsewhere.
It may be that many (perhaps the majority) of Israelite descendants in the USA are physically descended from Ephraim BUT Manasseh dominates culturally and otherwise. We have discussed this before.
A renowned Torah Scholar, nicknamed "HaNatziv" (Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin 1816 - 1893) provided another solution:
Deuteronomy 33:
17 HIS GLORY IS LIKE THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULL, AND HIS HORNS, ARE LIKE THE HORN OF A UNICORN WITH THEM HE SHALL PUSH THE PEOPLE TOGETHER UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: AND THEY ARE THE TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM, AND THEY ARE THE THOUSANDS OF MENASSEH.
Deuteronomy 33:
17 HIS GLORY IS LIKE THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULL, AND HIS HORNS, ARE LIKE THE HORN OF A UNICORN WITH THEM HE SHALL PUSH THE PEOPLE TOGETHER UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: AND THEY ARE THE TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM, AND THEY ARE THE THOUSANDS OF MENASSEH.
The Commentary "Ha-Emek Davar" ("The Depth of the Matter") by Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (1816 - 1893, sometimes nicknamed "Ha-Natziv") said that Manasseh would be more powerful and most populous. He opined that the blessing in
Deuteronomy 33: 17 where Ephraim is given ten thousand whereas Manasseh receives one thousand refers to spiritual matters mores than material ones.
Also:
Deuteronomy 33: 17 where Ephraim is given ten thousand whereas Manasseh receives one thousand refers to spiritual matters mores than material ones.
Also:
In Genesis 48: 20 "Ha-Emek Davar": In spiritual matters Ephraim had the precedence ... in ways of the world Manasseh came first:
The Tribe of Joseph in general received its sanctity not from Torah Learning but rather from acts of Kindness.
Geneses 48:12 in ways of the world Manasseh was first and greater than Ephraim.
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We may therefore suggest that the nations of Joseph meaning the UK plus its offshoots plus the USA are in a sense together all the portion of Joseph. In the USA Manasseh predominates concenring factors spiritually concerning matters of culture and outlook whle the number of descendants physically pertains to Ephraim.
Alternately, the Natziv may be more correct (or equally pertinent) in saying that the pre-eminence of Manasseh was in physicall matters whereas Ephraim was more important in the spiritual sense.