The Sons of Ephraim Who Fled Egypt Before the Time

Another interpretation: "for it was near" (Exodus 13:17). Near was the first war. Rabbi Eliezer says: All those years that Israel were dwelling [in Egypt they dwelt] secure and tranquil and at ease, until there came a proud one from among the descendants of Ephraim and said, the Holy One, blessed be He, has revealed Himself to me to bring you out of Egypt. The sons of Ephraim, in the pride of their hearts, because they were of royal seed and because they were mighty in strength for war, arose and took their wives, their sons, and their daughters, and went out of Egypt. The Egyptians arose and killed all their mighty men, as it is said, "the sons of Ephraim, armed bowmen, turned back on the day of battle" (Psalms 78:9) and so forth. "For God said, lest the people repent when they see war" (Exodus 13:17), this is the war of the sons of Ephraim, as it is said, "and the sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah," and so forth, "and Zabad his son," and so forth, "and the men of Gath killed them" (1 Chronicles 7:20-21) [two hundred thousand], because they did not keep the covenant of God, because they violated the appointed end, and because they transgressed the oath.