Genesis 48:11

11 and then said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and now God has let me see your children as well!"

Genesis 48:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:11

And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy
face
Some years ago he never expected to have seen him any more; he had given him up for lost, as a dead man, when his sons brought him his coat dipped in blood; and by reason of the long course of years which passed before ever he heard anything of him: and, lo, God hath showed me also thy seed;
it was an additional favour to see his offspring; it can hardly be thought, that in a course of seventeen years he had been in Egypt, he had not seen them before, only he takes this opportunity, which was the last he should have of expressing his pleasure on this occasion.

Genesis 48:11 In-Context

9 Joseph told his father, "They are my sons whom God gave to me in this place."

10 Israel's eyesight was poor from old age; he was nearly blind. So Joseph brought them up close. Old Israel kissed and embraced them

11 and then said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and now God has let me see your children as well!"

12 Joseph took them from Israel's knees and bowed respectfully, his face to the ground.

13 Then Joseph took the two boys, Ephraim with his right hand setting him to Israel's left, and Manasseh with his left hand setting him to Israel's right, and stood them before him.