Genesis 50:23

23 He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he claimed as his own.

Genesis 50:23 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 50:23

And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation,
&c.] His great grandchildren's children; and which shows, as most interpreters observe, that Jacob's prediction, that Ephraim should be the greatest and most numerous, very early began to take place:

and the children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were brought up
upon Joseph's knees;
Machir had but one son by his first wife, whose name was Gilead; but marrying a second wife, he had two sons, Peresh and Sheresh; see ( 1 Chronicles 7:14-16 ) who might be born before the death of Joseph, and be said to be brought up upon his knees, being educated by him, and often took up in his lap, and dandled on his knees, as grandfathers, being fond of their grandchildren, are apt to do.

Genesis 50:23 In-Context

21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

22 So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110.

23 He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he claimed as his own.

24 “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.”

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew who were born on Joseph’s knees.