‘And it happened after these things that someone said to Joseph, “Behold, your father is ill.” And he took with him his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim.' Jacob has obtained Joseph's promise only just in time for shortly afterwards he falls ill and knows he has not long to go. The ‘someone' may well h... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And someone told Jacob, “Behold your son Joseph is coming to you.” And Israel strengthened himself and sat on the bed.' At the news of his son's coming Jacob prepares himself for what he is about to do.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Jacob said to Joseph, “El Shaddai (God Almighty) appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your seed for ever for an everlasting possessio... [ Continue Reading ]
“And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when there was still some way to come to Ephrath. And I buried her there in the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem).” His thoughts turn momentarily to himself. He is about to die but he has no regrets, f... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Israel became aware of Joseph's sons and said, “Who are these?” The old man is blind (Genesis 48:10) and he has only been aware of Joseph, but now he becomes aware of two others with him and asks who they are.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Joseph said to his father, “They are my two sons whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them I pray to me and I will bless them.” ' Joseph tells him that they are his two sons. His words echo Jacob's mention of them as being born in Egypt. Then, on hearing this, Jacob calls them forw... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age so that he could not see. And he brought them near to him and he kissed them and embraced them.' Having adopted them as full sons he now draws them to him and kisses and embraces them. The mention of his blindness is to explain the awkwardness of the whole e... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face, and lo, God has let me see your seed as well.” The act of adoption fills him with gratitude to God and he cannot help expressing his feelings. Not only has he seen Joseph's face again, something he had never expected, but he has had t... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Joseph brought them out from between his knees and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.' Joseph is filled with gratitude for what his father has done for his sons. He raises them from where they are and shows his gratitude by bowing low to his father. The great Vizier does obeisance to... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel's left hand and Manasseh in his left hand, towards Israel's right hand, and brought them near to him.' Manasseh is the eldest and should receive the blessing from the right hand in acknowledgement of his seniority. The right hand... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.' Jacob knew the position the young men would be in and deliberately crosses his hands to bless Ephraim with... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God who has shepherded me all my life long until this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim it displeased him, and he held up his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” ' J... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also will be great, however his younger brother will be greater than he and his seed will become a multitude of nations.” And he blessed them that day, saying, “In you shall Israel bless, saying, ‘God ma... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Israel said to Joseph, “Behold I die. But God will be with you and bring you again to the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.” Jacob prophesies the future return to the la... [ Continue Reading ]