Genesis 48:9

9 Joseph said to his father, 1"They are my sons, whom God has given me here." And he said, "Bring them to me, please, that 2I may bless them."

Genesis 48:9 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:9

And Joseph said unto his father, they [are] my sons, whom God
hath given me in this [place]
In the land of Egypt; he accounts his sons as the gifts of God, as children are, ( Psalms 127:3 ) ; and it was not only a sentiment of the Jews, that children are the gift of God; hence the names of Mattaniah, Nathaniel but of Heathens, as the Greeks and Romans, among whom are frequent the names of men which show it, as Theodorus, Deodatus, Apollodorus, Artemidorus and he said, bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them;
not in a common way, barely wishing them prosperity and happiness, but as a patriarch and prophet, under the influence and inspiration of the Spirit of God, declaring what would befall them, and what blessings they should be partakers of, in time to come.

Genesis 48:9 In-Context

7 As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)."
8 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Who are these?"
9 Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here." And he said, "Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them."
10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.
11 And Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also."

Cross References 2

  • 1. [Genesis 33:5]
  • 2. Genesis 49:25, 26; Hebrews 11:21; [Genesis 27:4]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.