Genesis 48:1-6

Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

1 After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill. ” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

2 And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you. ” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

3 And Jacob said to Joseph, ¹“God Almighty^[a] appeared to me at ²Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,

4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you ³for an everlasting possession. ’

5 And now your ⁴two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, ⁵are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are.

6 And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance.

Genesis 48:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 48

Joseph, hearing that his father Jacob was sick, paid him a visit, Ge 49:1,2; at which time Jacob gave him an account of the Lord's appearing to him at Luz, and of the promise he made unto him, Ge 49:3,4; then he adopted his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and blessed them, and Joseph also, Ge 49:5-16; and whereas he crossed his hands when he blessed the sons of Joseph, putting his right hand on the youngest, and his left hand on the eldest, which was displeasing to Joseph, he gave him a reason for so doing, Ge 49:17-20; and then assured him that God would bring him, and the rest of his posterity, into the land of Canaan, where he assigned him a particular portion above his brethren, Ge 49:21,22.

Cross References

• 1. 48:3 See ch. 17:1
• 2. 48:3 ch. 28:13, 19; 35:6, 9
• 3. 48:4 ch. 17:8
• 4. 48:5 ch. 41:50-52; 46:20
• 5. 48:5 Josh. 13:7; 14:4; 17:17

Footnotes

• [a] 48:3 Hebrew 'El Shaddai'