And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
The sons of Ephraim. Numerous and great difficulties encumber this passage. Some writers, indeed, supposing that the family of Ephraim, from his connection with Joseph, would, during the sojourn in Egypt, enjoy great advantages for preserving their genealogy entire, consider it as given here in full; and consequently that, as the names must be ranged in regular succession from father to son, the pedigree from Ephraim to Joshua is marked by 18 descents. But this register, so far from being clear and intelligible, is in its present state exceedingly confused, and the obscurity in which, from its dislocated character it is involved, is increased by several names which are repeated in the same or slightly altered forms, being found to represent one person. Shuthelah, as the oldest son of Ephraim, is first mentioned, and his family is traced through a series of seven individuals to a second Shuthelah, the addition of the words "his son" indicating that the persons named followed in direct descent (see the notes at Numbers 26:35, where the family of Suthalhites is mentioned). Ezer and Elead, not bearing the mark of filial relationship to Shuthelah, rank along with him as the sons of Ephraim. But the record, instead of proceeding, as might be expected, to enumerate their respective families, details the affecting incident of their early death in battle.