Genesis 48:18

Translations

Modern

“Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

Traditional

And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.

Literal

And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; set your right hand on his head.”

Latin

Dixitque ad patrem: Non ita convenit, pater: quia hic est primogenitus, pone dexteram tuam super caput ejus.

Original

Hebrew

English

“Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

Notes

Genesis 48:17–19

Not so, my father!: Joseph was upset because he expected God to act in a predictable way. But faith understands that God's ways and thoughts are different from human ones. Jacob spent his life learning this lesson, but he eventually understood and acted on it.

Genesis 48:1–22

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

Egypt Jacob Joseph Blessing Symbolic Numbers The Priestly Blessing

Related verses

Genesis 19:18
But Lot replied, “No, my lords, please!
Genesis 43:33
They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.
Matthew 25:9
‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
Acts 10:14
“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
Genesis 27:15
And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob.
Genesis 49:3
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
Exodus 10:11
No, only the men may go and worship the LORD, since that is what you have been requesting.” And Moses and Aaron were driven from Pharaoh’s presence.
Genesis 29:26
Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.
Acts 11:8
‘No, Lord,’ I said, ‘for nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

People

Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Book of Exodus Genesis, Book of Jacob Joseph Joshua, Book of Laying on of Hands Manasseh (Person) Patriarchs, Period of the Primogeniture

Topics

Birthright: Set Aside: That of Manasseh Ephraim: Second Son of Joseph: Blessed Before Manasseh; Prophecies Concerning Firstborn: Birthright of The: Set Aside: That of Manasseh Intercession: Exemplified Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Parents: Good - Exemplified: Joseph Parents: Paternal Blessings of Jacob The First Born: Superseded: Manasseh

Genesis 48:18

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