Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
Genesis 48:1-22
Gen.48.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ליוסף: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m
- הנה: PART
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 47:29 (verbal): Shares the framing phrase and situation of a patriarch nearing death ('the time drew near that Israel must die'), marking the transition to final blessings and instructions.
- Genesis 49:1 (structural): Jacob again summons his sons to pronounce final blessings and prophetic words before death; Gen 48 and 49 form a unit of end-of-life family reckonings.
- Genesis 27:1-40 (thematic): Isaac's blessing of Jacob and Esau is an earlier instance of a patriarchal blessing that transfers status and inheritance — the same family-blessing motif enacted in Joseph presenting his sons for Jacob's blessing.
- Deuteronomy 33:1-29 (thematic): Moses' blessing of the tribes parallels the literary motif of a leader bestowing blessings/prophecies on the next generation or on tribal entities, analogous to Jacob blessing Ephraim and Manasseh.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it happened after these things that it was said to Joseph, Behold, your father is ill; and he took his two sons with him, Manasseh and Ephraim.
- And it came to pass after these things that it was said to Joseph, Behold, your father is ill. And he took his two sons with him, Manasseh and Ephraim.
Gen.48.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ליעקב: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- בנך: NOUN,m,sg,cstr+poss,2,m,sg
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויתחזק: VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המטה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 45:26-27 (verbal): News about Joseph is brought to Jacob and his spirit is revived/strengthened — closely parallels the report-and-reaction formula in Gen 48:2 (report + Jacob regains strength).
- Genesis 46:29-30 (structural): The immediate reunion that follows the report: Joseph meets and embraces Jacob in Egypt; Gen 48:2 is the announcement that precedes this same reunion scene.
- Genesis 37:33-35 (thematic): An earlier report concerning Joseph (that he was dead) produces the opposite emotional effect — intense mourning in Jacob — highlighting the powerful impact of news about Joseph on Jacob in Gen 48:2.
- Luke 15:20 (thematic): In the New Testament parable the father’s immediate bodily/emotional response to a returning son (running, embracing) parallels the motif of a parent’s strong physical reaction when news of a son’s return or presence is received, as in Gen 48:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it was told to Jacob, and one said, Behold, your son Joseph has come to you; and Israel rallied his strength and sat up upon the bed.
- And it was told to Jacob: Behold, your son Joseph is coming to you. And Israel strengthened himself and sat up upon the bed.
Gen.48.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שדי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נראה: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בלוז: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 28:13-15 (verbal): God appears to Jacob at Luz/Bethel, promises land and descendants — parallels the same location (Luz/Bethel) and theophany language of divine appearance and blessing.
- Genesis 35:9-12 (verbal): God appears again to Jacob and reaffirms the covenant, blessing him (including the formula 'be fruitful and multiply') — closely parallels the motif of divine appearance and blessing to Jacob.
- Genesis 17:1 (verbal): God identifies himself as 'El Shaddai' (God Almighty) to Abram in a covenantal context — parallels the divine name/title used in Gen 48:3 ('אל שדי') and the theme of covenantal blessing.
- Genesis 32:30 (thematic): Jacob says 'I have seen God face to face' after his wrestling encounter (Peniel) and experiences divine favor/preservation — thematically related as another personal theophany in Jacob's life resulting in blessing/preservation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob said to Joseph, El Shaddai appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and he blessed me,
- And Jacob said to Joseph, El Shaddai appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,
Gen.48.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- מפרך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והרביתך: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,_,sg
- ונתתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,-,sg
- לקהל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמים: NOUN,pl,m,abs
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- לזרעך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:2ms
- אחריך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- אחזת: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.17:4-8 (verbal): God’s covenant promise to Abraham: ‘I will make you fruitful… I will multiply you… and give to you and to your offspring the land’—language and covenantal content echoed in Gen 48:4.
- Gen.26:3-4 (verbal): God’s repetition of the Abrahamic promise to Isaac: blessing, multiplication of offspring, and grant of the land to descendants—verbal parallel to Jacob’s reminder in Gen 48:4.
- Gen.28:13-15 (allusion): God’s promise to Jacob at Bethel that his offspring will inherit the land and that nations will be blessed through him—the same promise framework Jacob cites in Gen 48:4.
- Exod.3:8 (thematic): God’s declaration to Moses of delivering Israel into ‘a good and spacious land’ for their descendants—the theme of land inheritance for the patriarchal seed parallels Gen 48:4.
- Ps.105:8-11 (quotation): A liturgical retelling of the covenantal promise to the patriarchs: God’s steadfast covenant to give the land to Abraham’s descendants—Psalm echoes and affirms the promise cited by Jacob in Gen 48:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- and he said to me, Behold, I am making you fruitful and multiplying you, and I will make you a company of peoples, and I will give this land to your seed after you as an everlasting holding.
- and he said to me, Behold, I am making you fruitful and I will multiply you, and I will make you into an assembly of peoples, and I will give this land to your seed after you as an everlasting possession.
Gen.48.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- בניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+POSS,2,m,sg
- הנולדים: VERB,niphal,part,3,m,pl,def
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- באי: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,m,pl
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- מצרימה: NOUN,prop,pl,m,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומנשה: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כראובן: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ושמעון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Gen.48:13-20 (structural): Same scene—Jacob formally adopts Joseph’s two sons and blesses them (including the well‑known crossing of hands), explicating their status as Jacob’s heirs.
- Gen.49:3-7 (allusion): Jacob’s later blessings of his sons discuss Reuben and Simeon (their status and failings); Genesis 48:5’s comparison (‘as Reuben and Simeon are mine’) echoes tribal membership and inheritance themes found here.
- Num.1:32-46 (structural): The wilderness census lists Ephraim and Manasseh as distinct tribes (counted among Israel’s sons), reflecting the concrete outcome of Jacob’s adoption in 48:5.
- Josh.17:14-18 (thematic): Land allotments for Ephraim and the two halves/branches of Manasseh show they function as separate tribes with inheritance and territory—an outworking of Jacob’s declaration that Joseph’s sons are ‘mine.’
Alternative generated candidates
- And now your two sons who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt—they are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, like Reuben and Simeon.
- And now, your two sons who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt—they are mine: Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine as Reuben and Simeon.
Gen.48.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומולדתך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,suff,2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הולדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- יהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- שם: ADV
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- יקראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בנחלתם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,suff,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Gen.48:5 (quotation): Immediate parallel in the same speech where Jacob explicitly says the two boys ‘shall be mine’ and ‘called by the names of their brothers’—same legal/expressive formula.
- Gen.41:51–52 (verbal): Joseph’s naming of his sons Manasseh and Ephraim and his claim ‘God has made me forget all my toil’ establishes their birth and names—background for their later assignment as tribal heirs.
- Josh.17:3–6 (structural): Treats Ephraim and Manasseh as the two constituent portions of Joseph in the land allotments, reflecting the practical result of Jacob’s giving them brotherly/tribal status.
- 1 Chr.5:1–2 (thematic): Explains tribal status and inheritance implications: Reuben’s loss of primogeniture and the double portion granted to Joseph through Ephraim and Manasseh.
- Deut.21:15–17 (thematic): Laws governing birthright and inheritance rights provide legal background for why Jacob’s designation of Joseph’s sons as brothers affects their claim to tribal inheritance.
Alternative generated candidates
- But your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; by the name of their brothers they shall be called in their inheritance.
- And your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; by the name of their brothers they shall be called in their inheritance.
Gen.48.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- בבאי: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- מפדן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מתה: VERB,qal,cohort,1,f,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- רחל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעוד: PREP
- כברת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לבא: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- אפרתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואקברה: VERB,qal,impf,1,-,sg
- שם: ADV
- בדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אפרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen 35:16-20 (verbal): The fuller narrative of Rachel’s death and burial at Ephrath/Bethlehem—the same event Jacob recounts in Genesis 48:7.
- Jer 31:15 (allusion): Portrays Rachel weeping for her children; evokes Rachel’s association with Bethlehem/Ephrath and maternal mourning tied to that locale.
- Matt 2:18 (quotation): New Testament citation of Jeremiah 31:15 applied to the slaughter at Bethlehem—links Rachel’s tomb/role as mother of Israel with events at Bethlehem.
- Micah 5:2 (thematic): Identifies Bethlehem Ephrathah as the significant birthplace of a future leader—connects the place-name Ephrath/Ephrathah in Genesis 48:7 to later prophetic significance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died to my sorrow in the land of Canaan on the way, while there was still a stretch of land to come to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
- And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died to my sorrow in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still a stretch of land to come to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath—it is Bethlehem.
Gen.48.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
Parallels
- Gen.48:13-20 (structural): Immediate continuation of the scene: after Israel asks 'Who are these?' Joseph introduces his sons and Israel adopts and blesses them (including the cross‑handed blessing that gives Ephraim precedence).
- Gen.48:5 (verbal): Earlier in the same chapter Joseph’s sons are spoken of as being 'mine' to Israel — the verse articulates the adoption/inheritance move that explains why Israel asks who the boys are and then claims them as his own.
- Deut.21:17 (thematic): Law about the rights of the firstborn (the double portion and inheritance) provides the legal/ethical background for the significance of Jacob’s act in assigning blessing/inheritance to Ephraim over the elder Manasseh.
- Gen.25:23 (allusion): The earlier prophetic motif of 'two nations in your womb' (about Jacob and Esau) parallels the theme of two tribes/nations arising from one parentage — here Joseph’s two sons becoming separate tribes.
- Num.1:10 (cf. Num.2:5) (structural): The tribal censuses and camp arrangements list Ephraim and Manasseh as distinct tribes — the institutional outcome of Jacob’s adoption/blessing of Joseph’s sons that begins in Genesis 48.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Israel saw Joseph’s sons and said, Who are these?
- And Israel saw Joseph’s sons and said, Who are these?
Gen.48.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בזה: PREP+DEM
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קחם: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg+3,pl(obj)
- נא: PART
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ואברכם: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg+3,pl(obj)
Parallels
- Genesis 48:14-16 (structural): Direct continuation of the same scene: Jacob takes Joseph’s sons and pronounces the blessing (including the cross-placement of hands) that Joseph requested in v.9.
- Genesis 30:22 (thematic): God opens Rachel’s womb and gives Joseph earlier in the narrative; Joseph’s wording ('the sons whom God has given me') echoes the motif of children as gifts granted by God.
- Psalm 127:3 (thematic): Declares 'Children are a heritage from the LORD,' directly paralleling Joseph’s attribution of his sons to God and the view of offspring as a divine gift.
- Hebrews 11:20 (allusion): Refers to the patriarchal practice of fathers blessing their descendants (Isaac blessing Jacob and Esau), paralleling Jacob’s act of blessing Joseph’s sons as a transfer of promise.
- Numbers 6:24-26 (verbal): The formal priestly blessing ('The LORD bless you and keep you...') parallels the language and function of spoken blessing invoked by Jacob when he says 'Bring them to me and I will bless them.'
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons whom God has given me here. And he said, Bring them, please, to me, that I may bless them.
- And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God has given me here. And he said, Take them, please, to me, and I will bless them.
Gen.48.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כבדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- מזקן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יוכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms
- לראות: VERB,qal,inf
- ויגש: VERB,qal,wayy,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וישק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויחבק: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Gen.27.1 (verbal): Same wording about an aged patriarch whose eyes are dim and who cannot see (Isaac ‘was old and his eyes were dim’), echoing the physical condition noted of Israel/Jacob.
- Gen.27.26-27 (structural): A parallel blessing scene in which the father approaches, kisses, and bestows a blessing (Isaac comes near and kisses Jacob), mirroring the bedside blessing ritual and physical gestures (kiss/embrace).
- Heb.11.21 (allusion): New Testament reference to Jacob blessing the sons of Joseph near death (‘By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph’), alluding to this very episode and its faith/legacy significance.
- 1 Sam.20.41 (thematic): Kissing and weeping as expressions of close personal/familial bond (David and Jonathan embrace and kiss), illustrating the cultural use of kiss/embrace in covenantal or farewell contexts like Jacob’s gestures.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the eyes of Israel were heavy with age; he could not see. And he brought them near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them.
- And the eyes of Israel were heavy with age; he could not see. And he brought them near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them.
Gen.48.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- פללתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- והנה: ADV
- הראה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- זרעך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 48:9 (verbal): Same scene: Joseph says the two boys are 'my sons, whom God has given me' — both verses link Joseph's offspring explicitly to God's gift/act.
- Genesis 33:10 (verbal): Jacob uses 'see your face' language earlier when meeting Esau ('for to see your face is like seeing the face of God'), echoing the motif of unexpectedly seeing someone's face and invoking God in that encounter.
- Genesis 17:4-6 (thematic): God's promise to Abraham that his descendants will be numerous — thematic background for statements that God 'shows' or gives offspring to the patriarchs.
- Hebrews 11:21 (structural): New Testament recounting of Jacob blessing Joseph's sons as a final act of faith at death — parallels the context and purpose of Jacob's recognition/blessing of Joseph's offspring.
- Psalm 127:3 (thematic): Children described as a gift/heritage from the LORD — echoes the theological idea in Gen 48:11 that offspring are given/shown by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Israel said to Joseph, I had not expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your seed also.
- And Israel said to Joseph, I had not expected to see your face; and behold, God has even shown me your seed.
Gen.48.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויוצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מעם: PREP
- ברכיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+sfx3,m
- וישתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לאפיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+sfx3,m
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.48:14 (structural): Same episode — immediately continues the action: Joseph brings the boys to Jacob, who then kisses and embraces them and lays hands on them (verbal and structural continuation).
- Gen.46:29 (thematic): Earlier scene of filial affection and reverence: Joseph meets Jacob, falls on his neck, weeps, and kisses him — similar physical gestures of devotion and family greeting.
- Gen.47:31 (thematic): Jacob bows (upon the bed's head) after giving instructions — another instance of bowing/physical deference in the patriarchal narrative, echoing the motif of bodily submission and respect.
- Mark 10:16 (thematic): Jesus takes children in his arms, blesses them, and lays hands on them — a later New Testament parallel to the intimate family/benedictory gesture of taking children to the elder for blessing.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed with his face to the ground.
- And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed with his face to the earth.
Gen.48.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- שניהם: PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בימינו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- משמאל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשמאלו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- מימין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויגש: VERB,qal,wayy,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.48:14-20 (verbal): Immediate literary continuation: Jacob crosses his hands and pronounces the blessing, explicitly giving the preeminence to Ephraim over Manasseh (same scene and language).
- Gen.25:23 (thematic): Prophecy to Rebekah that the older shall serve the younger — a background motif for younger sons (here Ephraim) receiving precedence over elders (Manasseh).
- Gen.27:1-29 (allusion): Jacob’s earlier reception of Isaac’s blessing intended for Esau: another instance of the younger son receiving the family blessing and supplanting the elder, thematically parallel to Joseph’s placement of Ephraim before Manasseh.
- Num.1:32-33 (structural): In the tribal census Ephraim is listed before Manasseh, reflecting the lasting effect of Jacob’s act in Gen 48 that gives Ephraim precedence among the tribes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh in his left toward Israel’s right, and he brought them near to him.
- And Joseph took the two of them, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right, and he brought them near to him.
Gen.48.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ימינו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3ms
- וישת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- הצעיר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- שמאלו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3ms
- על: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבכור: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 48:13-20 (structural): Immediate context: Joseph sets his sons before Israel, Jacob crosses his hands and deliberately places his right on the younger Ephraim's head, then blesses them—this passage records the same action and Joseph's protest.
- Genesis 25:23 (thematic): God's prenatal word to Rebekah that 'the older shall serve the younger' prefigures and provides theological background for the reversal in Jacob's blessing of Ephraim (younger) over Manasseh (firstborn).
- Genesis 27:29-40 (thematic): Jacob, the younger son, receives the blessing and status that belonged to the elder (Esau); this earlier episode also illustrates the motif of the younger being exalted above the firstborn.
- Romans 9:10-13 (quotation): Paul cites the Genesis tradition ('Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated' and 'the older shall serve the younger') to discuss divine election, directly echoing the theme of younger/preferred over older found in Jacob's blessing of Ephraim.
- Deuteronomy 21:17 (thematic): Law regarding the rights of the firstborn ('he shall acknowledge the firstborn') provides a legal-ethical contrast to Jacob's act of transferring primogeniture from Manasseh to Ephraim.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim’s head—though he was the younger—and his left upon Manasseh’s head; he crossed his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
- And Israel stretched out his right hand and set it upon Ephraim’s head—though he was the younger—and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head; he crossed his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
Gen.48.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- התהלכו: VERB,hitp,perf,3,m,pl
- אבתי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויצחק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- מעודי: PREP+NOUN,from,1,sg
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 3:6 (verbal): Uses the same patriarchal formula 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' — identifying God as the God of the ancestors, echoing Jacob's invocation.
- Psalm 23:1 (thematic): 'The Lord is my shepherd' parallels Jacob's description of God as the one who has been his shepherd all his life — shared pastoral imagery of guidance and care.
- Genesis 28:15 (thematic): God's promise to Jacob ('I am with you, and will keep you...') connects to Jacob's testimony that the God of his fathers has cared for and accompanied him to this day.
- Genesis 46:3 (verbal): God again identifies himself to Jacob as 'the God of your father' and promises presence in Egypt — a similar patriarchal designation and assurance of divine accompaniment.
- Matthew 22:32 (quotation): Jesus cites the Exodus wording 'I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' (quoting the same patriarchal formula), showing the continuity of the identity of God invoked by Jacob.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he blessed Joseph and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has shepherded me from my youth until this day,
- And he blessed Joseph and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd from my youth to this day,
Gen.48.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- המלאך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגאל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- מכל: PREP
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הנערים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבתי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויצחק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וידגו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקרב: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Gen.48:15 (verbal): Immediate parallel in Jacob's blessing speech: nearly identical phrase identifying 'the Angel who redeemed me from all evil' and invoking blessing on Joseph's sons; same context and wording.
- Num.6:27 (verbal): Priestly blessing: 'so shall they put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them' — closely parallels Jacob's formula 'let my name be called on them... and let them grow/be blessed.'
- Gen.32:24-30 (thematic): Jacob's wrestling with the divine/angelic figure and his language of having been preserved/rescued connects to the characterization here of 'the Angel who redeemed me from all evil' and the theme of divine encounter and deliverance.
- Heb.11:21 (allusion): New Testament reference to Jacob blessing the sons of Joseph at the time of his death (the same event as Gen 48): an allusive citation of Jacob's faith and his dying blessing.
- Ps.34:22 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD redeeming the servants' lives — parallels the motif of divine redemption ('redeemed me from all evil') invoked by Jacob in the blessing.
Alternative generated candidates
- the angel who has redeemed me from all evil—may he bless the lads; and let my name be called upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they teem to a multitude in the midst of the land.
- the Angel who redeemed me from all evil—may he bless the lads, and may my name be called on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they teem in multitude in the midst of the land.
Gen.48.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ישית: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימינו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m
- על: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בעיניו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- ויתמך: VERB,hitp,perf,3,m,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- להסיר: VERB,hiph,inf
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- מעל: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.48:14-16 (structural): Immediate context: Jacob deliberately crosses his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim's head and bless him above Manasseh (the act to which Joseph objects in v.17).
- Gen.27:18-29 (thematic): Parallel motif of a patriarchal blessing that transfers preeminence from the elder to the younger (Jacob receives Isaac's blessing intended for Esau); both scenes involve unexpected reversal of inheritance/blessing.
- Num.27:18-23 (structural): Moses lays his hands on Joshua to commission and transfer leadership—a ritual use of hand‑placement to confer authority and blessing, analogous to placing a hand on a son's head in Gen 48.
- 1 Tim.4:14 (thematic): Paul recalls a gift conferred through the laying on of elders' hands; echoes the Biblical practice of imposing hands as a means of conferring blessing, office, or spiritual benefit.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it was displeasing in his eyes; and he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from upon Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
- And Joseph saw that his father set his right hand on Ephraim’s head, and it displeased him, and he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
Gen.48.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- כן: ADV
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כי: CONJ
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- הבכר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שים: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- ימינך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.48:14-20 (verbal): Immediate narrative context: Jacob crosses his hands and places his right hand on Ephraim’s head; Joseph objects (v.18) but Jacob insists and blesses the younger over the elder.
- Gen.25:23 (thematic): Prophecy concerning the twins in Rebekah’s womb — the motif that the younger will be preferred over the older, paralleling Ephraim’s elevation above Manasseh.
- Deut.21:17 (thematic): Legal statement of the rights of the firstborn (double portion/primacy) — highlights the significance of Joseph’s appeal to place the right hand on the firstborn’s head.
- Rom.9:10-13 (allusion): Paul invokes the pattern of God’s choosing Jacob over Esau (“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated”) as a theological parallel to divine reversal of expected primogeniture.
- Gen.49:3-4 (thematic): Jacob’s later words about Reuben’s loss of firstborn preeminence illustrate another instance where birthright/status is transferred or forfeited, echoing the theme in Genesis 48.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn; put your right hand upon his head.
- And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn; set your right hand upon his head.
Gen.48.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימאן: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- גם: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לעם: PREP
- וגם: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יגדל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ואולם: CONJ
- אחיו: NOUN,3,m,sg,abs
- הקטן: ADJ,m,sg,def
- יגדל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וזרעו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+prsuf:3,m,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Genesis 25:23 (verbal): God's prophecy to Rebekah: 'Two nations are in your womb... the older shall serve the younger'—the same motif of the younger's ascendancy found in Jacob's blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh.
- Genesis 27:27-40 (thematic): Isaac's blessing/deception and the subsequent words to Esau include reversal of birthright expectations (the younger favored), paralleling the theme of primogeniture overturned in Gen 48.
- Romans 9:10-13 (allusion): Paul cites the choice of Jacob over Esau ('the older shall serve the younger') to illustrate divine election; echoes the theological principle behind Jacob's blessing of Ephraim above Manasseh.
- Malachi 1:2-3 (quotation): 'I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau'—a stark statement of national election that echoes and reinforces the pattern of preferring one line/nation (Jacob/Ephraim) over another (Esau/Manasseh) reflected in Gen 48:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- 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 seed shall become a fullness of nations.
- But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know; he too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; yet his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a fullness of nations.
Gen.48.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויברכם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- לאמור: VERB,qal,inf
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- יברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- ישמך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כאפרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכמנשה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 48:13-16 (verbal): Immediate context: Jacob crosses his hands and pronounces the blessing on Ephraim and Manasseh with language and formula closely matching v.20 (blessing and invoking God’s name).
- Genesis 49:22-26 (thematic): Jacob’s broader blessing of Joseph and his descendants echoes the promise of divine favor, fruitfulness, and inheritance given to Ephraim and Manasseh in 48:20.
- Deuteronomy 33:13-17 (thematic): Moses’ blessing of Joseph (often understood as Ephraim/Manasseh) employs similar imagery of divine blessing, strength, and preeminence for Joseph’s tribe, paralleling Gen 48’s blessing.
- Romans 9:10-13 (allusion): Paul’s citation of God choosing the younger over the older (Jacob over Esau) resonates with Jacob placing the younger Ephraim before the elder Manasseh—both illustrate divine prerogative in bestowing status.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he blessed them that day, saying, By you Israel will bless, saying, May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh. And he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
- And he blessed them that day, saying, By you Israel will bless, saying, May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh. And he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
Gen.48.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- והשיב: VERB,hip,impf,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אבתיכם: NOUN,m,pl,cons+PRON,2,pl
Parallels
- Gen.46.4 (verbal): God promises to go down with Jacob into Egypt and to 'bring you up again' — language closely paralleling Jacob's assurance to Joseph that God will bring them back to the land of their fathers.
- Gen.28.15 (verbal): God's pledge to Jacob — 'I am with thee, and will keep thee...' — echoes the assurance of God's presence ('God will be with you') given by Israel in Gen 48:21.
- Deut.31.6 (thematic): A later reiteration of divine presence and faithfulness — 'Be strong... the LORD will not fail you nor forsake you' — thematically parallels Jacob's comfort that God will accompany and return the family to their land.
- Josh.1.5 (thematic): God's promise to Joshua ('As I was with Moses, so I will be with you') continues the tradition of divine accompaniment and preservation found in Jacob's parting words in Gen 48:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I am dying; and God will be with you, and he will bring you back to the land of your fathers.
- And Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I am dying; but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.
Gen.48.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- שכם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- על: PREP
- אחיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לקחתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- מיד: PREP
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בחרבי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- ובקשתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 33:19 (verbal): Explicitly identifies Shechem as purchased by Jacob (buying the parcel of a field at Shechem), linking Genesis 48:22’s reference to ‘Shechem’ as a portion associated with Jacob’s family.
- Genesis 34:25–30 (allusion): The narrative of Dinah and the subsequent violent seizure of Shechem by Jacob’s sons echoes the idea of taking possession ‘from the Amorite’ and supports the motif of acquiring the locality by force.
- Deuteronomy 21:17 (thematic): Law granting the firstborn a double portion provides a legal principle underlying Joseph’s receiving a superior share (via his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh) — ‘one portion above your brothers.’
- Genesis 49:22–26 (thematic): Jacob’s later blessing of Joseph emphasizes his preeminence and special blessings, thematically parallel to granting Joseph an extra portion among his brothers.
- Joshua 24:32 (structural): Records the burial of Joseph’s bones at Shechem and the association of Joseph’s inheritance with that locale, linking Genesis 48:22’s claim of Shechem as part of Joseph’s portion to the later territorial/ancestral reality.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I, I have given you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
- And I, I have given you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
And it happened after these things that it was said to Joseph, Behold, your father is ill. And he took his two sons with him, Manasseh and Ephraim. And someone told Jacob, saying, Behold, your son Joseph is coming to you. And Israel strengthened himself and sat upon the bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,
and he said to me, Behold, I am making you fruitful and I will multiply you, and I will make you a company of peoples; and I will give this land to your seed after you as an everlasting possession. And now your two sons who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt—they are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, like Reuben and Simeon. And your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; by the name of their brothers they shall be called in their inheritance. And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died to my sorrow in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still a stretch of land to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Israel saw Joseph’s sons and said, Who are these? And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God has given me here. And he said, Bring them, please, to me, that I may bless them. And the eyes of Israel were heavy with age; he could not see. So Joseph brought them near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel said to Joseph, I had not expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see also your offspring. And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the ground. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh in his left toward Israel’s right, and he brought them near to him. And Israel stretched out his right hand and set it on the head of Ephraim—though he was the younger—and his left on the head of Manasseh; he crossed his hands deliberately, for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph and said, The God before whom my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, walked, the God who has been my shepherd from my beginning until this day,
the angel who has redeemed me from all evil—may he bless the boys; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they teem to a multitude in the midst of the land. And Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and it was displeasing in his eyes; and he grasped his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand upon his head. 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 seed shall become a fullness of nations. And he blessed them on that day, saying, By you Israel will bless, saying, May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh. And he set Ephraim before Manasseh. And Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. And as for me, I have given you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.