Genesis 48

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 48 of 50

1 And after these things it happened, one said to Joseph, Behold, your father is sick. And he took his two sons with him, Manasseh and Ephraim.

2 And one spoke to Jacob and said, Behold, your son Joseph has come to you. And Israel took strength and sat on the bed.

3 And Jacob said to Joseph, God Almighty appeared to me in Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,

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Chapter Summary

1 Joseph and his sons visit his sick father. 3 Jacob repeats the promise. 9 He blesses Ephraim and Manasseh. 21 He prophesies their return to Canaan.

Key Hebrew Words

בָּרַךְ bless H1288 · TWOT 285
בְּכוֹר first-born H1060 · TWOT 244a
יָמִין right hand H3225 · TWOT 872a
גָּאַל redeem H1350 · TWOT 300
מַלְאָךְ Angel, messenger H4397 · TWOT 1068a
קָהָל company, multitude H6951 · TWOT 1991a

People & Context

Jacob (Israel)

Dying patriarch who adopts and blesses Joseph's sons, crossing his hands to set the younger Ephraim first

Joseph

Brings his two sons to his sick father and objects when Jacob's right hand favors Ephraim

Ephraim

Joseph's younger son, set ahead of his brother and blessed to become a multitude of nations

Manasseh

Joseph's first-born, blessed but ranked below his younger brother Ephraim

God

God Almighty who appeared to Jacob at Luz and promised the land; the Angel who redeemed Jacob from all evil

Timeline

Joseph Visits Ailing Jacob with His Sons

Joseph is told his father is sick and takes his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to visit him. Jacob strengthens himself and sits on the bed.

Genesis 48:1-2
Jacob Recounts God's Blessings and Adopts Joseph's Sons

Jacob reminds Joseph of God's appearance at Luz (Beth-el), the promise of fruitfulness, multiplying into a multitude of peoples, and everlasting possession of the land. He then declares Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to be his own, like Reuben and Simeon, to receive an inheritance among his sons.

Genesis 48:3-6
Jacob Remembers Rachel's Burial

Jacob recalls Rachel's death and burial on the way to Ephrath (Beth-lehem).

Genesis 48:7

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