Genesis 48:18

18 And Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father; for this one is the first-born; put your right hand upon his head."

Genesis 48:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 48:18

And Joseph said unto his father, not so, my father
It is not right, it should not so be, that the right hand should be put on the youngest, and the left hand on the eldest; for this [is] the firstborn;
directing him to Manasseh, and seeking to guide his hand towards him: put thy right hand upon his head;
Joseph was for proceeding according to the order of birthright, but Jacob was directed by a spirit of prophecy, as follows.

Genesis 48:18 In-Context

16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and in them let my name be perpetuated, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of E'phraim, it displeased him; and he took his father's hand, to remove it from E'phraim's head to Manas'seh's head.

18 And Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father; for this one is the first-born; put your right hand upon his head."

19 But his father refused, and said, "I know, my son, I know; he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; nevertheless his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations."

20 So he blessed them that day, saying, "By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, 'God make you as E'phraim and as Manas'seh'"; and thus he put E'phraim before Manas'seh.