Genesis 48:18

18 Joseph said to his father, "Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head."

Genesis 48:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:18

And Joseph said unto his father, not so, my father
It is not right, it should not so be, that the right hand should be put on the youngest, and the left hand on the eldest; for this [is] the firstborn;
directing him to Manasseh, and seeking to guide his hand towards him: put thy right hand upon his head;
Joseph was for proceeding according to the order of birthright, but Jacob was directed by a spirit of prophecy, as follows.

Genesis 48:18 In-Context

16 the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm- may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow to be numerous within the land.

17 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, he thought it was a mistake and took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's.

18 Joseph said to his father, "Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head."

19 But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know! He too will become a tribe, and he too will be great; nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a populous nation."

20 So he blessed them that day with these words: Israel will invoke blessings by you, saying, "May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh," putting Ephraim before Manasseh.