Ephraim and Judah


In the Hebrew Scriptures, the reference of "Ephraim and Judah" are merely figurative terms used for the two ancient Kingdoms of Israel. See History of Ancient Israel and Judah.
The reference of "Ephraim and Judah" is employed most frequently by the Prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures. The phrases "Israel and Judah" and "Joseph and Judah" are used in similar fashion, referencing the same two respective Israelite Kingdoms.

Tribes and Kingdoms

Since "Ephraim" was a specific tribe of Israel, careful contextual analysis should be used when distinguishing the differences in tribal and figurative kingdom identifications within the Tanakh, especially since the Prophets used the terms "Ephraim", "Joseph", and "Israel" interchangeably, speaking of the same entity, the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the House of Israel, or the House of Joseph.
"Judah", likewise was a name used for both a tribe and kingdom.