Genesis 48:12

12 Toen deed hen Jozef uitgaan van zijn knieen; en hij boog zich voor zijn aangezicht neder ter aarde.

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 Doch de ogen van Israel waren zwaar van ouderdom; hij kon niet zien; en hij deed hen naderen tot zich; toen kuste hij hen, en omhelsde hen.
11 En Israel zeide tot Jozef: Ik had niet gemeend uw aangezicht te zien; maar zie, God heeft mij ook uw zaad doen zien!
12 Toen deed hen Jozef uitgaan van zijn knieen; en hij boog zich voor zijn aangezicht neder ter aarde.
13 En Jozef nam die beiden, Efraim met zijn rechterhand, tegenover Israels linkerhand, en Manasse met zijn linkerhand, tegenover Israels rechterhand, en hij deed hen naderen tot hem.
14 Maar Israel strekte zijn rechterhand uit, en legde die op het hoofd van Efraim, hoewel hij de minste was, en zijn linkerhand op het hoofd van Manasse; hij bestierde zijn handen verstandelijk; want Manasse was de eerstgeborene.
The Dutch Staten Vertaling translation is in the public domain.