“Ephraim…to Me” – Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: A palace dweller.8In the view of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, Ephraim derives from the term apiryon meaning the seat of kings. Rabbi Yehoshua bar Naḥman said: Of noble descent.9In the view of Rabbi Yehoshua bar Naḥman, Ephraim derives from the term peri meaning a scion, in this case, of nobility. Rabbi Pinḥas said: Ephraim was granted this crown by Jacob our patriarch when he passed to his eternal abode.
He said to him: ‘Ephraim, tribal leaders, yeshiva heads, and the finest and most outstanding of my descendants will be called by your name.’ “[Elkana, son of Yeroḥam, son of Elihu,] son of Toḥu, son of Tzuf, a nobleman [efrati]” (I Samuel 1:1); “David was the son of that nobleman [efrati] from Bethlehem of Judah” (I Samuel 17:12). “Is Ephraim a precious son to Me, a child of delights?” (Jeremiah 31:20).
What is a child of delights? One who is two or three years old. Rabbi Aḥa in the name of Rabbi Levi ben Sisi: One who is four or five years old. “For whenever I speak of him [midei daberi bo]” (Jeremiah 31:20) – Rabbi Yudan in the name of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana: My speech [diburi] that I have placed in him is sufficient [dai].10The Torah that I have given to them is sufficient for Me to think fondly of them.
Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon said: Even when I speak of him, I cannot bear it,11This is due to My extreme love for him. “for whenever I speak of him,” for of course I speak of him.