Ephraim is next to Judah and Manasseh. It is also in close proximity to Syria. Researchers have confirmed these relationships.
Commentaries (
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II NEPHI 9:15 [17:2]: And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ephraim and Syria. This verse is also found in Isaiah 7:2. The phrase 'confederate with' indicates a close proximity between Ephraim and Syria.
II NEPHI 9:18 [17:5]: Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ephraim, Jerusalem, and Syria. This verse is also found in Isaiah 7:5. The term 'thee' refers to Isaiah who was in Jerusalem at this time. The son of Remaliah is Pekah, the king of Israel. This verse indicates that Syria and Ephraim are in close proximity to each other in order to combine forces. Syria and Ephraim are also in proximity to Jerusalem.
II NEPHI 9:21 [17:8]: For the head of Syria, is Damascus; and the head of Damascus, Rezin: and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Damascus, Ephraim, and Syria. This verse is also found in Isaiah 7:8. The phrase 'head of' indicates that Damascus is the capital of Syria. Ephraim is mentioned but no information is provided concerning its location.
II NEPHI 9:22 [17:9]: And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ephraim and Samaria. This verse is also found in Isaiah 7:9. The phrase 'head of' indicates that Samaria is the capital of Ephraim.
II NEPHI 9:42 [18:4]: For behold, the child shall not have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, before the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Assyria, Damascus, Ephraim, Samaria, and Syria. This verse also occurs in Isaiah 8:4. There is no information provided regarding their locations except the phrase 'taken away' indicates Damascus (Syria) and Samaria (Ephraim) are probably located outside of Assyria.
II NEPHI 9:81 [19:21]: Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand stretched out still.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ephraim, Judah, and Manasseh. This verse is also found in Isaiah 9:21. The wording indicates that there is a close coupling between Manasseh and Ephraim as if they could be located next to each other. The phrase 'together shall be against' indicates the two lands can combine forces and conduct war against Judah. This would mean one or the other or both border Judah. The ability to combine forces also indicates that Ephraim and Manasseh are next to each other.
II NEPHI 9:91 [20:10]: As my hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
Commentary: This verse references the places of Jerusalem and Samaria. This verse also occurs in Isaiah 10:10. The phrase 'my hand' refers to the Lord. The phrase 'and of' indicates that Jerusalem and Samaria (Ephraim) are in two different locations.
II NEPHI 9:128 [21:13]: The envy of Ephraim also shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Ephraim and Judah. This verse is also found in Isaiah 11:13. The phrases 'shall not envy' and 'shall not vex' indicate the lands share common areas that both covet. This would indicate that the two lands are next to each other.
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