Genesis 48:18

18 Joseph said to his father, "No, my father! This is the oldest son. Put your right hand on his head."

Genesis 48:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:18

And Joseph said unto his father, not so, my father
It is not right, it should not so be, that the right hand should be put on the youngest, and the left hand on the eldest; for this [is] the firstborn;
directing him to Manasseh, and seeking to guide his hand towards him: put thy right hand upon his head;
Joseph was for proceeding according to the order of birthright, but Jacob was directed by a spirit of prophecy, as follows.

Genesis 48:18 In-Context

16 may the divine messenger who protected me from all harm, bless the young men. Through them may my name be kept alive and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. May they grow into a great multitude throughout the land."

17 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, he was upset and grasped his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

18 Joseph said to his father, "No, my father! This is the oldest son. Put your right hand on his head."

19 But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He'll become a people too, and he'll also be great. But his younger brother will be greater than he will, and his descendants will become many nations."

20 Israel blessed them that day, saying, "Through you, Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'" So Israel put Ephraim before Manasseh.