Genesis 48:19

Translations

Modern

But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”

Traditional

And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Literal

And his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know! He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. And yet, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become the fullness of the nations.”

Latin

Qui renuens, ait: Scio, fili mi, scio: et iste quidem erit in populos, et multiplicabitur: sed frater ejus minor, major erit illo: et semen illius crescet in gentes.

Original

Hebrew

English

But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”

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

Deuteronomy 33:17
His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”
Numbers 1:33–35
…those registered to the tribe of Ephraim numbered 40,500.
Genesis 17:20–21
As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
Genesis 25:28
Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Genesis 48:14
But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.
Revelation 7:8
…from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
Numbers 2:19–21
…and his division numbers 40,500.
Deuteronomy 1:10
The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Ezekiel 27:10
Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put served as warriors in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls; they gave you splendor.
Isaiah 7:17
The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since the day Ephraim separated from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria.”
Ruth 4:11–12
“We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.
Revelation 7:6
…from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

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

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 Israel: Prophecies Concerning Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Parents: Good - Exemplified: Joseph Parents: Paternal Blessings of Jacob The First Born: Superseded: Manasseh

Genesis 48:19

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