Genesis 48:11

11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face [again], but now God has even let me see your offspring."

Genesis 48:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:11

And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy
face
Some years ago he never expected to have seen him any more; he had given him up for lost, as a dead man, when his sons brought him his coat dipped in blood; and by reason of the long course of years which passed before ever he heard anything of him: and, lo, God hath showed me also thy seed;
it was an additional favour to see his offspring; it can hardly be thought, that in a course of seventeen years he had been in Egypt, he had not seen them before, only he takes this opportunity, which was the last he should have of expressing his pleasure on this occasion.

Genesis 48:11 In-Context

9 And Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons God has given me here." So Jacob said, "Bring them to me and I will bless them."

10 Now Jacob's eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought them to him, and he kissed and embraced them.

11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face [again], but now God has even let me see your offspring."

12 Then Joseph took them from his [father's] knees and bowed with his face to the ground.

13 Then Joseph took them both-with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel's left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel's right-and brought them to Israel.