Translations
Modern
“I never expected to see your face again,” Israel said to Joseph, “but now God has let me see your children as well.”
Traditional
And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
Literal
And Israel said to Joseph, “To see your face I had not expected, and behold, God has shown me also your seed.”
Latin
…dixit ad filium suum: Non sum fraudatus aspectu tuo: insuper ostendit mihi Deus semen tuum.
Original
Hebrew
English
“I never expected to see your face again,” Israel said to Joseph, “but now God has let me see your children as well.”
Notes
When Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, he showed faith in God's promise to continue. He understood that God's ways differ from human ways. From Jacob's long life, the writer of Hebrews chose the blessing of Joseph's sons as his greatest act of faith (Hebrews 11:21). Jacob followed God's will by giving the main blessing to the younger son instead of the older one, without any trickery or negative outcomes.
Theme notes and profiles
People
Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt
Glossary
Book of Exodus Genesis, Book of Jacob Joshua, Book of Patriarchs, Period of the
Topics
Parents: Parental Affection Exemplified by Jacob Thankfulness: Exemplified