The idea that Ephraim and Manasseh are England & America is a belief that stems from British Israelism (also called Anglo-Israelism). This theory started in England in the 17th century and spread to America with English colonists.
In the latter half of the 19th century, a guy named Edward Hine moved to America and began to promote the idea that Americans were the lost tribe of Manasseh, whereas England was the lost tribe of Ephraim.
There were others who have promoted this but the most well known one recently was Herbert W. Armstrong, founder and former Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God.
The central tenets of British Israelism have been refuted by evidence from modern genetic, linguistic, archaeological and philological research.
As Steve said,
Quote:
The original ten tribes did not become America, England or any other country. They were absorbed into the surrounding populace and ceased to exist as an entity. Their descendants are still out there, some of them anyway.
Nothing magical, mystical or fascinating about it. It's the way empires have always worked.
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I would have to agree.
Edit. Sorry Tribesman, didn't see your post.