Genesis 48:12

12 Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.

Genesis 48:12 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
12 Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Joseph moved the boys, who were at their grandfather’s knees, and he bowed with his face to the ground.
The Message Bible (MSG)
12 Joseph took them from Israel's knees and bowed respectfully, his face to the ground.
American Standard Version (ASV)
12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees; and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
12 Joseph took them off his father's lap and bowed with his face touching the ground.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
12 Then Joseph took them from his [father's] knees and bowed with his face to the ground.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
12 Then Joseph took his sons away from Israel's knees. He bowed down with his face to the ground.

Genesis 48:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:12

And Joseph brought them out from between his knees
Either from between his own, where they were kneeling, as he was sitting, in order that they might be nearer his father, to receive his blessing by the putting on of his hands; or rather from between his father's knees, he, as Aben Ezra observes, sitting on the bed, having kissed and embraced them, they were still between his knees; and that they might not be burdensome to his aged father, leaning on his breast, and especially, in order to put them in a proper position for his benediction, he took them from thence, and placed them over against him to his right and left hand: and he bowed himself with his face to the earth;
in a civil way to his father, and in reverence of him; in a religious way to God, expressing his thankfulness for all favours to him and his, and as supplicating a blessing for his sons through his father, under a divine influence and direction.

Genesis 48:12 In-Context

10 Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.
11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”
12 Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.
13 And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him.
14 But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Genesis 50:23; Job 3:12
  • 2. S Genesis 19:1; S Genesis 33:3; Genesis 37:10
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