Genesis 41:51

51 Joseph named * the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."

Genesis 41:51 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:51

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh
Which signifies forgetfulness, as the reason of it shows: for God, [said he], hath made me forget all my toil, and all my
father's house;
all his toil and labour in Potiphar's house, and especially in the prison; and all the injuries his brethren had done him; all this he was made to forget by the grandeur and honour, wealth and riches, power and authority he was possessed of; and indeed he had so much business upon his hands, that he had scarce time to think of his father, and his family.

Genesis 41:51 In-Context

49 Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure.

50 Now before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.

51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."

52 He named the second Ephraim, "For," he said, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

53 When the seven years of plenty which had been in the land of Egypt came to an end,

Footnotes

• [a] I.e. making to forget