" For example, Numbers 26:35-36 records that subtribes (or
clans) of the Israelite tribe of Ephraim were named the
Bachrites, the Eranites, and the Tahanites. The old Seleucid
province of Bactria, which grew up in conjunction with Parthia,
bears the name of one of the subtribes of Ephraim in a Hellenized
form. An Israelite origin for Bactria is supported by the
indication that the Bactrian language "...was related to Saka, or
at least underwent strong influences from Saka tongues." 22 The
record that the Bactrians welcomed a Scythian ruler who freed
them from a Greek satrap, and the further indication that the
Bactrians shared a linguistic heritage with the Parthians argues
that the Bactrians were also Sacae (or Saka) who had descended
from the ten tribes of Israel. Henry Rawlinson, in his book
"Bactria," states: "there seems to be very little doubt that the
population of Bactria was largely Scythian"...(and cites Justin,
a classical author, who wrote)...'The Bactrian Empire was founded
by the Scythians.'" 23
Numbers 26:36 also notes that another clan of the tribe of
Ephraim descended from Eran and was known as the "Eranites." A
group of people known as the Eranians were present in the region
of ancient Persia and Parthia. 24 It is significant that Assyria
transplanted the defenders of Samaria (an Ephraimite city) into
"the cities of the Medes." Therefore, we would expect thereafter
to notice some Ephraimite names in the Medo-Persian region. The
"Eranians" bore the exact Hebrew name of one of the clans of
Ephraim in the area of Persia/Parthia. This name survives today
in the modern name for the territory of ancient Persia: Iran.
Indeed, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, in referencing "Eran" in
its Index section, simply states "Eran: see Iran." 25 The modern
capital of Iran is named Teheran, also preserving the name of
this Ephraimite clan; This book in no way maintains or implies
that the modern Iranians are Israelites as it is very clear from
subsequent history that the modern Iranians are principally
Medo-Persian in racial origins. However, the name "Iran"
apparently does come from the name of one of the clans of
Ephraim, which was placed in Medo-Persian territory by the
Assyrians and lived there for many centuries."