Genesis 41:52

52 And the second son he named Ephraim, ^[a] saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Genesis 41:52 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:52

And the name of the second called he Ephraim
Which signifies fruits or fruitfulness; and being of the dual number, may intend both his spiritual and temporal fruitfulness God had blessed him with: for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction;
in the land of Egypt, where he had been long afflicted, even for the space of thirteen years, more or less, in his master's house, and in the prison; but God had made him fruitful in grace and good works, in holiness, humility and oftentimes afflictive seasons are the most fruitful ones in this sense. God also bestowed great gifts upon him, as skill in the interpretation of dreams, wisdom in political affairs, a large abundance of wealth, and riches, honour and glory; to which may be added, the fruit of his body, his two children.

Genesis 41:52 In-Context

50 Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.”

52 And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

53 When the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end,

54 the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for making fruitful or twice fruitful.