In the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh), the reference of "Ephraim and Judah" (when employed together) 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 (Nevi'im) of the Hebrew Scriptures. The phrases "Israel and Judah" and "Joseph and Judah
Zechariah 10:6are used in similar fashion, referencing the same two respective Israelite Kingdoms.
Tribes and Kingdoms
Since "Ephraim" was a specific tribe of Israel, the Tribe of Ephraim, careful contextual analysis should be used when distinguishing the differences in tribal and figurative kingdom identifications within the Tanakh. The prophets used the terms "Ephraim", "Joseph", and "Israel" interchangeably, speaking of the same entity, the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria), Kingdom of Israel, the House of Israel, or the House of Joseph
Zechariah 10:6
"Judah", likewise was a name used for both a ''tribe'' and ''kingdom'' (the tribe of Judah, the Kingdom of Judah, the House of Judah, and even the Davidic line, House of David (King David being a descendant of Judah)).
References
To see where "Ephraim" and "Judah" are used in this idiomatic fashion within the Hebrew Scriptures, se
Isaiah 7:179:2111:13Hosea 5:55:12-146:410:1111:12Ezekiel 37:16-19Zechariah 9:1310:6
See also
*History of Ancient Israel and Judah
*Two House Theology
*Assyrian Captivity
*Stick of Joseph
External links
Jews and Joes: the Two Sticks of IsraelUnited Israel World UnionBrit-AmIsraelite.info
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Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)
Kingdom of Judah