Jacob Blesses His Grandsons
Genesis 48, verse 1. Now it came to pass after these things that Joseph was told, “Indeed your father is sick”; and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and went to Jacob. Genesis 48, verse 2. Thus Jacob was told, “Look, your son Joseph is coming to you”; and Israel strengthened himself and sat up on the bed. Genesis 48, verse 3. Then Jacob said to Joseph, “My God appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me Genesis 48, verse 4. and said to me, ‘Behold, I will increase and multiply you; and I will make of you a gathering of nations, and give this land to your seed after you as an everlasting possession.’ Genesis 48, verse 5. “Now therefore, your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. Genesis 48, verse 6. Your offspring whom you beget after them shall take possession of their inheritances within the tribes of their brothers. Genesis 48, verse 7. But as for me, when I came from Mesopotamia of Syria, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem). Genesis 48, verse 8. Then Israel saw Joseph's sons, and said, “Who are these with you?” Genesis 48, verse 9. So Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons God gave me here.” Jacob then said, “Bring them to me that I may bless them.” Genesis 48, verse 10. Now the eyes of Israel were dim by reason of old age, and he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed and embraced them. Genesis 48, verse 11. Then Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your seed.” Genesis 48, verse 12. So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and they bowed down with their face to the ground. Genesis 48, verse 13. Then Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near him. Genesis 48, verse 14. Thus 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. Genesis 48, verse 15. Then he blessed them and said: “God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac were well-pleasing, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, Genesis 48, verse 16. The Angel who redeemed me from all evil, Bless these lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a great multitude in the midst of the earth.” Genesis 48, verse 17. Now when Joseph saw his father put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. Genesis 48, verse 18. So Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” Genesis 48, verse 19. But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be exalted; but truly, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.” Genesis 48, verse 20. So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will be blessed, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’” Thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Genesis 48, verse 21. Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers. Genesis 48, verse 22. Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers; I am giving you Shechem, which I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and bow.”