Genesis 48:12

12 Und Joseph nahm sie von seinem Schoß und neigte sich zur Erde gegen sein Angesicht.

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 Denn die Augen Israels waren dunkel geworden vor Alter, und er konnte nicht wohl sehen. Und er brachte sie zu ihm. Er aber küßte sie und herzte sie

11 und sprach zu Joseph: Siehe, ich habe dein Angesicht gesehen, was ich nicht gedacht hätte; und siehe, Gott hat mich auch deinen Samen sehen lassen.

12 Und Joseph nahm sie von seinem Schoß und neigte sich zur Erde gegen sein Angesicht.

13 Da nahm sie Joseph beide, Ephraim in seine rechte Hand gegen Israels linke Hand und Manasse in seine Linke Hand gegen Israels rechte Hand, und brachte sie zu ihm.

14 Aber Israel streckte seine rechte Hand aus und legte sie auf Ephraims, des Jüngeren, Haupt und seine linke auf Manasses Haupt und tat wissend also mit seinen Händen, denn Manasse war der Erstgeborene.