Genesis 41:52

Modern

And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Traditional

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Literal

And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Latin

Nomen quoque secundi appellavit Ephraim, dicens: Crescere me fecit Deus in terra paupertatis meæ.

Hebrew

English

And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Despite his status and power, Joseph stayed true to his heritage. He gave his two sons Hebrew names.
Manasseh: Joseph's wealth and success helped him forget the pain of being away from his family.
Ephraim: By giving him this name, Joseph expressed his thanks to God for making him fruitful in Egypt.

Pharaoh's dreams were fulfilled just as Joseph had explained.

Theme notes and profiles

Genesis 49:22
Joseph is a fruitful vine—a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall.
Genesis 50:23
He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees.
Genesis 17:6
I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.
Amos 6:6
You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
Genesis 28:3
May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples.
Isaiah 40:1–2
“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
Psalm 105:17–18
He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.
Genesis 48:16–19
…the angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
Genesis 30:6–13
Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; He has heard my plea and given me a son.” So she named him Dan.
Acts 7:10
…and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.
Genesis 29:32–35
And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel