1 And it came to pass after these things, that [one] told Joseph, Behold, thy father [is] sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
2 And [one] told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee [for] an everlasting possession.
5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, [are] mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, [and] shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet [there was] but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same [is] Bethlehem.
8 And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who [are] these?
9 And Joseph said unto his father, They [are] my sons, whom God hath given me in this [place]. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, [so that] he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought [them] near unto him.
14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid [it] upon Ephraim’s head, who [was] the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh [was] the firstborn.
15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head.
18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this [is] the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
19 And his father refused, and said, I know [it], my son, I know [it]: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
21 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
Summary of Genesis Chapter 48
Genesis 48 recounts a significant moment in the life of Jacob (also known as Israel) as he prepares to bless his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph. This chapter highlights themes of blessing, legacy, and the divine promise, showcasing the importance of family and the continuation of God’s covenant with Israel.
Key Characters
- Jacob (Israel): The patriarch who is nearing the end of his life and seeks to bless his grandsons.
- Joseph: Jacob’s son, who brings his two sons to receive their grandfather’s blessing.
- Ephraim: The younger son of Joseph, who receives a prominent blessing from Jacob.
- Manasseh: The elder son of Joseph, who is initially positioned to receive the primary blessing.
Plot Overview
- Joseph’s Visit (Verses 1-2)
Joseph is informed that his father Jacob is ill. He takes his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to visit Jacob, who is eager to bless them.
- Jacob’s Recognition (Verses 3-4)
Jacob recalls his encounter with God at Luz, where God confirmed the covenant promises to him, indicating the significance of passing these blessings to his descendants.
- Joseph Presents His Sons (Verses 5-7)
Joseph introduces Ephraim and Manasseh to Jacob, noting that they are his sons born in Egypt. Jacob expresses his intention to adopt them as his own, thus ensuring their place in the lineage of Israel.
- The Blessing (Verses 8-14)
Jacob, despite his blindness, recognizes the boys and prepares to bless them. He crosses his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim, the younger son, and his left hand on Manasseh, the elder. This act signifies the reversal of expectations regarding the blessing.
- Joseph’s Displeasure (Verses 15-17)
Joseph is initially displeased with Jacob’s actions, believing that the elder son should receive the greater blessing. He attempts to correct his father, but Jacob insists on his decision, emphasizing that Ephraim will become greater than Manasseh.
- Prophecy and Blessing (Verses 18-22)
Jacob prophesies the future of both sons, declaring that Ephraim will become a multitude of nations. He also reaffirms his own legacy by declaring that he has given Joseph a double portion of land, symbolized by the adoption of his sons.
Theological Themes
- Divine Sovereignty
The chapter illustrates God’s sovereignty in choosing whom to bless, as seen in Jacob’s unconventional blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh.
- Legacy and Identity
Jacob’s act of adopting Ephraim and Manasseh signifies the importance of legacy within the Israelite community, as it intertwines their identity with the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- Faith and Blessing
The blessings given by Jacob serve as a reminder of the power of faith and the importance of passing on spiritual blessings to future generations.
Conclusion
Genesis 48 serves as a pivotal chapter in the narrative of the patriarchs, emphasizing the themes of blessing, divine choice, and the continuity of God’s promises. Jacob’s blessings to Ephraim and Manasseh not only shape their destinies but also reflect the overarching narrative of God’s faithfulness to His people.
