The incredible relationship between the 13th Tribe and the 13 Colonies that became America!
The Number “13” and the Identity of “Ephraim”!
Is the United States of America mentioned directly in Bible
Prophecy? Are we the descendants of the ancient tribe of
Ephraim? The majority of investigators who have studied
this question believe that the British people are Ephraim and
that the United States is Manasseh, his brother. But what
does the Biblical and historical evidence really tell us? Here
is point-blank the most direct and indisputable evidence and
salient PROOF that it is the United States who is really end-
time Ephraim
William F. Dankenbring
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It is well known that the number "13" is the number of the United States of America. The United States began with 13 colonies. The original U.S. flag had 13 stars, representing the initial 13 states. It also contained 13 stripes, 7 red and 6 white. The American seal also bears witness to the number 13 in its composition.
Over the breast of the eagle on the United States seal is a shield; the shield of FAITH. It has thirteen stripes or bars, red and white, signifying the number 13; the number of the original American colonies.
The number 13, of course, was the number of the tribes of ancient Israel, since the tribe of Joseph became two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh. There were twelve tribes of Israel, but Joseph had two sons and each of them became a tribe; hence, there were thirteen tribes in all, with Ephraim, the youngest son, being number 13.
The U.S. shield contains 13 paleways or stripes which represent the 13 original colonies. The shield is not fastened to the eagle, but spread across in front of it, as if held there by the unseen Hand of God.
In the eagle's beak there is a scroll, representing the proclamation of liberty and freedom, and justice for all: the Constitution of the United States, based on the laws of God and the Torah which God gave to ancient Israel.
The motto "E Pluribus Unum" means "One from Many," or "Out of many, One." It represents UNITY; the FIFTY united States of America! This One nation combines the peoples and ethnic groups of many different nations and peoples from around the world: out of many, ONE. And if we remained faithful to the laws of God, this national UNITY would be preserved forever. But if we BREAK God's laws, then the very unity we possess will become disunity and division - the "unity" will become a memory, a distant dream, forgotten in onrushing calamity and cataclysm.
America is a COMMONWEALTH of fifty states. At our national political conventions, members from each state rise to address the chair, saying, "Mr. Chairman, we the Commonwealth of Maine, or, The commonwealth of Massachusetts, etc., etc. Notice further! In the eagle's right claw is clutched an olive branch. This olive branch has 13 leaves, and 13 olives. There's that number 13 again! In the Bible, the tribe of Joseph is compared in prophecy to a fruitful bough of an olive tree (Gen.49:22). In a parable in the book of Judges, we are told that the olive tree is supreme among trees. The first tree the other trees asked to reign over them was the olive tree (Judges 9:8). But the fruit of the olive honors God and man (v.9). It seeks not to reign but to bear fruit. It is a sacred tree, and a symbol of the Holy Spirit of God,
and of the Torah: the life-giving Law and Revelation of God. The olive branch is the greatest symbol also of Peace (Shalom). Since the olive tree is supreme among the trees (and the olive oil is symbolical of the powerful Holy Spirit of God), then the identification of the olive branch in the U.S. seal brands the United States as being the tribe of the Olive Branch; the leading tribe of Joseph!
Which tribe would that be? Ephraim? Or Manasseh?
The Bundle of Arrows
"Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. The archers fiercely attacked; they shot at him, and pressed him hard. Yet his bow remained taut, and his arms were made agile by the hands of the mighty one of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel" (Gen.49:22-24).
Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh; America and Britain, are famous therefore for their military prowess. Their bow is strong, they are powerful archers. The bow, today, is a symbol of AIR POWER. It was largely the U.S. and British air power that defeated the Axis during World War II; that devastated Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War; that wreaked havoc in Iraq during the Iraq War of "Shock and Awe." The arrow is a symbol of war-making power and today's guided missiles and attack from the air. The ancient Anglo-Saxons were excellent archers. Who hasn't heard of Robin Hood and his merry men of Sherwood forest?
In the eagle's left claw are 13 arrows. They symbolize national readiness and preparedness to fight and to safeguard the truth, the liberty, the freedoms which God has given us to enjoy. Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of America, said: "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." The arrows of the Almighty will protect His people so long as we obey Him; but woe unto us, if God Himself sends His arrows to punish us for our disobedience (Deut.32:23; Ezek.5:16). The number 13 again is
connected with the United States of America!
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On the Seal of the United States of America, there are also 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum". Above the eagle's head there are 13 stars.
Over the eagle's head is a cloud or crest, a glorious scene of the Glory of God shining through and breaking up a cloud, shining upon 13 stars. The statute of endorsement stated, "A glory breaking through a cloud." It was a pillar of fire and a cloud of the Presence of God that led ancient Israel out of Egypt (Exo.13:21-22; 14:24). The Divine Glory breaking through the cloud shows that it is the power and glory of God, shining upon Israel, that keeps her safe and makes her great, and gives her deliverance. So long as we acknowledge our God, and His Presence, and obey His Laws, our nations will be great. But if and when we forget God, then our punishment and doom is assured (Isaiah 1:1-21; Prov.1:22-32; Hosea 4:6-8).
The 13 stars in the cloud above the eagle represent two truths: 1) the number 13 reveals the 13 tribes of Israel, in total; and 2) the scene depicts 12 stars below (bowing down before) the highest star, the star of Joseph. This was in fulfillment of Joseph's amazing dream, where he said, "Look I have had another dream: the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me" (Gen.37:9; see also verses 10-11).
Seal2
Observe more carefully the cloud which is above the head of the Eagle, with rays of the sun. This cloud is reminiscent of the "pillar of cloud" that stayed over the Tabernacle, as the ancient Israelite's journeyed through the wilderness for 40 years (Exo.13:21-22). Says W. H. Bennett, in "In the dry air of the Sinai wilderness and Western Arabia this cloud would be visible for many miles, and to a distant observer would indicate the presence of the Israel people. As such, the use of this cloud as an emblem today is an IMPORTANT MARK OF IDENTITY indicating that the nation which uses it is one of the Israel family of nations. With this in mind let us note that this symbol holds an important place in the official heraldry of the United States, for there above the Eagle we see a circular cloud enclosing 13 Stars” (p.139, Symbols of Our Celto-Saxon Heritage, emphasis mine).
Bennett concludes, "Thus, by its official national emblem and by each item in it, the United States declares itself to be an Israel nation" (p.141). Now look at the opposite side of the U.S. Seal. Here again, on the obverse side of the U.S. Seal, there are 13 tiers of stone in the Great Pyramid! Why all this emphasis on the number 13?
Which Tribe Is “13th”?
Much ado has been made of the question, which tribe in ancient Israel really was the 13th tribe. Bennett and British Israelites claim that "Manasseh" was the thirteenth tribe, and so they attempt to identify the United States with the tribe of Manasseh. Bennett claims that since Joseph was the 11th tribe, followed by Benjamin, the 12th tribe, when Manasseh and Ephraim were born, Ephraim took the place of Joseph, becoming the 11th, and this left Manasseh with being the 13th tribe.
However, this is nothing but circular reasoning. Rabbis point out that when Jacob thought that Joseph was dead, Benjamin became the eleventh tribe. Then, later, when Jacob found that Joseph was still alive, and had two sons, he placed his name on them. Manasseh therefore became the twelfth tribe, and Ephraim, the youngest son, became the thirteenth. This seems very logical. Since there were 12 tribes, but Joseph's two sons took his place among the sons of Israel, this would move Benjamin up to the 11th tribe's spot, and then Manasseh would be moved up to the 12th, and thus Ephraim, the youngest
of all the "sons of Israel", would have logically and automatically become the 13th tribe!
“13” represents “fullness.” What must be seen is that indeed the number 13, the number of the FULLNESS of Israel, is clearly associated with the United States. That is beyond question! The United States therefore represents the 13th tribe. Looking at it from a logical point of view, the 13th tribe would naturally be the YOUNGEST - THE LATEST to appear on the world scene. In order of birth, Ephraim was the youngest son.
And likewise, the United States was the YOUNGEST NATION, of the nations of Israel, having been "born" much later than Great Britain. English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish history traces far back into the mists of time, but the United States became a nation in 1783, at the Treaty of Paris, just a little over 200 years ago!
But America has surely been "doubly-fruitful" since that time, exploding in population, wealth, and military might, just as was prophesied of Ephraim.
Josephinegypt
Joseph’s Dream In another passage we find another strong hint relating to the identity of Joseph, Ephraim and
Manasseh. We read that Joseph had a dream and said, "The sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me" (Gen.37:9). He told the dream to his father and brothers, and Jacob said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" (v.10). Joseph's brothers envied him, but Jacob kept these things in his mind (v.11).
Since Ephraim was the last and 13th son born, all these things in Joseph's dream should primarily be fulfilled in him! That is, HIS FLAG would contain ALL THIRTEEN STARS representing all thirteen tribes. And HIS EMBLEM should contain ALL thirteen stars, AND the rays of the Sun (Jacob) and the phases of the Moon (his mother), all bowing as it were before him.
And so it is! The United States President's SEAL contains above the Eagle the 13 stars complete, with the Sun's rays shining down, and the Moon in 13 phases. This clearly pictures the fulfillment of the dream of Joseph, that his whole family would bow down to him.
Says W. H. Bennett, "Whether or not Joseph was aware of the symbolism of his dream is not stated, but it is evident that his father Jacob recognized himself as symbolized by the Sun, Joseph's mother as symbolized by the Moon, and Joseph's eleven brothers as symbolized by the eleven Stars. So in this prophetic dream, the Sun, the Moon and eleven Stars appear as the symbol of the whole Jacob-Israel family with the exception of Joseph himself."
Bennett goes on: "But Joseph was also a son of Jacob and therefore a part of the Israel family. Consequently, if each of Jacob's sons, and the tribe or tribes to be descended from him, are to be symbolized by a Star, then Joseph too will have to be counted (Note Rev.12:1). Yet from an heraldic standpoint this would not be a true symbol of Israel for Joseph's descendants were divided into two tribes, bearing the names of his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh and, according to the record in Genesis 48, these two sons of Joseph, as heads of tribes, were made EQUAL in status with their uncles. Consequently, to truly represent the Israel people, this symbol would have to contain the Sun, the Moon and thirteen Stars” (p.141-142).
What people would have an emblem that fulfills this symbolism, which SUMS UP the blessings of ALL THIRTEEN TRIBES? What tribe or nation would fill up the SUM of the blessings God gave all the tribes? What tribe would it be to which all the others will look, in terms of physical leadership, governance, prosperity, military strength, and blessings? Ephraim! And which nation today has all these elements in
"The President's Seal"? The United States of America!
Bennett continues: "The emphasis placed on the details of this dream is a clear indication that we are intended to notice its symbolism and, consequently, that a symbol or emblem consisting of the Sun, the Moon, and a Star for each of Israel's Thirteen Tribes, must be regarded as an emblem of Israel. Where then do we find a people or a section of a people using this emblem today?
"The evidence presented . . . is irrefutable proof that the Celto-Saxon peoples are the continuation of ancient Israel. Among these peoples, Britain and the United States are undoubtedly the leaders and, consequently, we would expect to find the Israel symbol, the Sun, the Moon and the Thirteen Stars in the national emblem of one or both of them. But it does not appear in either.
"Yet this emblem is still with us, for when we turn to the emblems on the Flag of the President of the United States, and also on his Seal, we find that the Sun, the Moon and the Thirteen Stars hold a very prominent place among them” (p.142-143).
A "very prominent place." Where is this place? In the symbolism and emblems of the United States of America!
This vital key symbol should be the mark or emblem of the leading tribe of all Israel and Joseph, the tribe of EPHRAIM. Ephraim is the thirteenth tribe, and so fulfills this whole prophetic picture! Ephraim is the "bakerís dozen"--- the THIRTEENTH, that overflows in abundance! This picture of 13 would not properly typify any other of the tribes, but only the LAST one, which sums up the total of them all.
As a matter of fascinating fact, not only were there were 13 original colonies which became the United States, but there were also 13 ships in the original American Navy. And, in World War I, 13 ships were sent to Europe, and took 13 days to cross the Atlantic, landing on Friday the 13th.