Ephraim was the second son born to Joseph in Egypt and was, along with his older brother Manasseh, elevated by Jacob to the same status as Joseph’s brothers. Thus when the tribes of Israel are named, Ephraim and Manasseh are named as patriarchs along with their uncles – Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin -- but Joseph is not. According to Swedenborg, Ephraim represents the intellectual aspect of the church, the part that explores and understands what is true – especially the true ideas that can be drawn from the Bible. Manasseh, meanwhile, represents the affectional aspect of the church, the part that feels and loves and cares. This plays into the best-known story of Ephraim’s life. When Jacob was old and nearing death, Joseph brought his two sons to be blessed. He presented Manasseh to Jacob’s right hand as the elder, and Ephraim to Jacob’s left hand. But Jacob crossed his hands and gave Ephraim the primary blessing. According to Swedenborg, Manasseh was the elder son because ultimately, what we love makes us who we are; our loves form our lives. So our loves are the most central, leading aspect of our human existence, with our intellect playing a secondary role. But as we develop, we need to reverse those. We can use our intellect to understand what is good and right and force ourselves to do it, even when our desires are for what’s selfish. If we stick to that out of a determination to follow the Lord and be good people, the Lord will eventually remove the selfishness from our hearts so we can truly love what is good. By having Jacob bless Ephraim above Manasseh, the Lord is telling us that we have to put our intellect first to pursue our spiritual journey.

18. 16. I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, Jehovah, which call thee by thy name am the God of Israel. I am Jehovah and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: that they may know from the rising and from the setting of the sun, that there is no God beside Me. I am Jehovah and there is none else (Isaiah 45:3-6).

(I have raised him up in justice: he shall build My city, not for price nor reward. Surely God is in Thee, and there is none else, there is no God. Verily Thou art a hidden God, O God of Israel, the Savior (Isaiah 45:13-15).) I am Jehovah; and there is none else (verse 18).

(Am not I Jehovah? and there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside Me. Look unto Me, that ye may be saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else (Isaiah 45:21-22).

I have sworn by myself, justice is gone out of My mouth, the word which shall not be recalled, that unto Me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear (Isaiah 45:23).

Remember the former things from eternity: For I am God, and there is no God else (Isaiah 46:9, 13).

My glory will I not give to another (Isaiah 48:11). I am the First, I also am the Last (Isaiah 48:12).

(The voice of one that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of Jehovah, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. The glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together (Isaiah 40:3-5).)

(O Zion that tellest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain: O Jerusalem that tellest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! Behold the Lord Jehovih cometh in strength, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold His reward is with Him, and the price of His work before Him: He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, He shall gather the lambs into His arm, and carry them in His bosom, He shall gently lead those that give suck (Isaiah 40:9-11).)