Genesis 41:51

51 He said, "God has made me forget all my sufferings and all my father's family"; so he named his first son Manasseh.

Genesis 41:51 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:51

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh
Which signifies forgetfulness, as the reason of it shows: for God, [said he], hath made me forget all my toil, and all my
father's house;
all his toil and labour in Potiphar's house, and especially in the prison; and all the injuries his brethren had done him; all this he was made to forget by the grandeur and honour, wealth and riches, power and authority he was possessed of; and indeed he had so much business upon his hands, that he had scarce time to think of his father, and his family.

Genesis 41:51 In-Context

49 There was so much grain that Joseph stopped measuring it - it was like the sand of the sea.

50 Before the years of famine came, Joseph had two sons by Asenath.

51 He said, "God has made me forget all my sufferings and all my father's family"; so he named his first son Manasseh.

52 He also said, "God has given me children in the land of my trouble"; so he named his second son Ephraim.

53 The seven years of plenty that the land of Egypt had enjoyed came to an end,

Footnotes

• [a]. manasseh: [This name sounds like the Hebrew for "cause to forget."]