Genesis 48:10

10 Israel's eyesight was failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to his father, and Israel hugged them and kissed them.

Genesis 48:10 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:10

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age
Or "heavy" ^F16, that he could not lift them up easily and see clearly; his eyebrows hung over, his eyes were sunk in his head, and the humours pressed them through old age, that it was with difficulty he could perceive an object, at least not distinctly: [so that] he could not see;
very plainly, otherwise he did see the sons of Joseph, though he could not discern who they were, ( Genesis 49:8 ) ; and he brought them near unto him;
that he might have a better sight of them and bless them: and he kissed them, and embraced them:
as a token of his affection for them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (wdbk) "graves erant", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator

Genesis 48:10 In-Context

8 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he asked, "Who are they?"

9 "They are my sons, whom God has given me here in Egypt," Joseph answered his father. Then Israel said, "Please bring them to me so that I may bless them."

10 Israel's eyesight was failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to his father, and Israel hugged them and kissed them.

11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see you again, and now God has even let me see your sons."

12 Joseph took them off his father's lap and bowed with his face touching the ground.