Genesis 48

Jacob Reflects on God's Promise Genesis 48:3–7

³Verse 3. Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, ⁴Verse 4. and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ ⁵Verse 5. Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, will be mine. ⁶Verse 6. Your issue, whom you become the father of after them, will be yours. They will be called after the name of their brothers in their inheritance.

⁷Verse 7. As for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (also called Bethlehem).”

Jacob Meets His Grandsons Genesis 48:8–11

⁸Verse 8. Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?” ⁹Verse 9. Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” He said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.” ¹⁰Verse 10. Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn’t see. He brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. ¹¹Verse 11. Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”

The Blessing Arrangement Genesis 48:12–14

¹²Verse 12. Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. ¹³Verse 13. Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near to him. ¹⁴Verse 14. Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

Jacob's Blessing Genesis 48:15–19

¹⁵Verse 15. He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, ¹⁶Verse 16. the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. Let them grow into a multitude upon the earth.” ¹⁷Verse 17. When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. ¹⁸Verse 18. Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father; for this is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

¹⁹Verse 19. His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a multitude of nations.”

Prophetic Blessings Genesis 48:20–21

²⁰Verse 20. He blessed them that day, saying, “In you will Israel bless, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’” He set Ephraim before Manasseh. ²¹Verse 21. Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers.

Jacob's Portion to Joseph Genesis 48:22

²²Verse 22. Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.”