Israelites – Black History In The Bible

One of the most often overlooked pieces of genealogical information involves the origins of the tribe of Judah. When Jacob's original sons (the 12 tribes of Israel) needed wives, they sought out women descended from Ham. Because they were living in the land of Canaan, it makes sense that some of them would take Canaanite wives. Judah was no exception. Not only did he take a Canaanite wife for himself, but he took one for his oldest son as well. This is ultimately what leads to the birth of Pharez. The Birth of Pharez Tamar was originally meant for Judah's oldest son, but after a series of unfortunate events, Tamar wound up a lonely, unmarried widow. After Judah failed to deliver his youngest son to her as promised, Tamar pretended to be a prostitute and tricked Judah into s...

When Joseph was enslaved in Egypt, he eventually rose to power and married an Egyptian woman named Asenath. Two children resulted from this marriage and they were Ephraim and Manasseh. "And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." - 41:52 During the blessing ceremony, Joseph places them before Jacob, and Jacob adopts both boys as his own children, thus making them "tribes" of Israel. "And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine." - Genesis 48:5 During the ceremony, Jacob blesses both boys, but he places Ephraim before Manasseh, even though he was the youngest ...

Tag: Israelites

Pharez: The Half Canaanite Son of Judah and Tamar

Ephraim: The Half African Son of Joseph