Translations
Modern
When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”
Traditional
And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?
Literal
And Israel saw the sons of Joseph and said, “Who are these?”
Latin
Videns autem filios ejus dixit ad eum: Qui sunt isti?
Original
Hebrew
English
When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”
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