Genesis 48:8

8 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Who are these?"

Genesis 48:8 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:8

And Israel beheld Joseph's sons
Ephraim and Manasseh, of whom he had been speaking as if they were absent, and he might not know until now that they were present, for his eyes were dim that he could not see clearly, ( Genesis 49:10 ) ; he saw two young men standing by Joseph, but knew not who they were, and therefore asked the following question: and said, who [are] these?
whose sons are they? the Targum of Jonathan is,

``of whom were these born to thee?''

as if he knew them to be his sons, only inquired who the mother of them was; but the answer shows he knew them not to be his sons, and as for his wife, he could not be ignorant who she was.

Genesis 48:8 In-Context

6 Your family who is born to you after them are yours, but their inheritance will be determined under their brothers' names.

7 When I came back from Paddan-aram, Rachel died, to my sorrow, on the road in the land of Canaan, with some distance yet to go to Ephrathah, so I buried her there near the road to Ephrathah, which is Bethlehem."

8 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Who are these?"

9 Joseph told his father, "They're my sons, whom God gave me here." Israel said, "Bring them to me and I will bless them."

10 Because Israel's eyesight had failed from old age and he wasn't able to see, Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed and embraced them.