Genesis 48:20

Translations

Modern

So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

Traditional

And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

Literal

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.

Latin

Benedixitque eis in tempore illo, dicens: In te benedicetur Israël, atque dicetur: Faciat tibi Deus sicut Ephraim, et sicut Manasse. Constituitque Ephraim ante Manassen.

Original

Hebrew

English

So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

Notes

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

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.
Genesis 28:3
May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples.
Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
Numbers 7:48
On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the Ephraimites, drew near.
Numbers 10:22–23
Next, the divisions of the camp of Ephraim set out under their standard, with Elishama son of Ammihud in command.
Numbers 2:18–21
On the west side, the divisions of Ephraim are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Ephraimites is Elishama son of Ammihud,
Numbers 13:16
These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.
Numbers 7:54
On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the Manassites, drew near.
Numbers 13:11
…from the tribe of Manasseh (a tribe of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi;
Numbers 13:8
…from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

People

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob

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 Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Parents: Good - Exemplified: Joseph Parents: Paternal Blessings of Jacob The First Born: Superseded: Manasseh the Tribe of Manasseh: Predictions Respecting Tribe of Ephraim: Predictions Respecting

Genesis 48:20

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?