Genesis 50:23

23 and he saw the sons of Ephraim till to the third generation; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were borne in the knees of Joseph (were brought up on Joseph's knees).

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 do not ye dread (do not ye fear), I shall feed you and your little children. And he comforted them, and spake sweetly and lightly to them;

22 and Joseph dwelled in Egypt, with all the house of his father (and Joseph lived in Egypt, with all of his father's household, or all of his father's family). And he lived an hundred [and ten] years,

23 and he saw the sons of Ephraim till to the third generation; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were borne in the knees of Joseph (were brought up on Joseph's knees).

24 When these things were done, Joseph spake to his brethren, (and said,) After my death God shall visit you, and he shall make you to go up from this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (When these things were done, Joseph said to his brothers, Soon I shall die, but someday, God shall visit you, and he shall lead you out of this land to the land which he promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.)

25 And when Joseph had charged them (with an oath), and had said, God shall visit you, bear ye out with you my bones from this place; (And when Joseph had charged them with an oath, and had said, When God shall visit you, take ye my bones away with you from this place;)