Genesis 48:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, [so that] he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now Isra'el's eyes were dim with age, so that he could not see. Yosef brought his sons near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

American Standard Version:

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now the eyes^{H5869} of Israel^{H3478} were dim^{H3513} for age^{H2207}, so that he could^{H3201} not see^{H7200}. And he brought them near^{H5066} unto him; and he kissed^{H5401} them, and embraced^{H2263} them.

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Commentary for Genesis 48:10

Genesis 48:10 is a verse set within the larger narrative of the patriarch Jacob, also known as Israel, bestowing blessings upon his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph. This event occurs toward the end of Jacob's life, and the verse highlights several themes and historical contexts:

1. **The Aging Patriarch**: Jacob is nearing the end of his life, and his dimming eyesight symbolizes the natural decline that comes with age. This physical weakness contrasts with his spiritual clarity and the importance of the blessings he is about to impart.

2. **Family Reconciliation**: The verse reflects a moment of familial tenderness and reconciliation. Jacob's act of kissing and embracing his grandsons is a sign of affection and acceptance, significant given the strife and division that had previously marked his relationships with his own sons.

3. **Covenantal Blessing**: In the broader context of Genesis, the act of blessing is a powerful and prophetic moment, where the patriarch passes on God's covenantal promises to the next generation. By blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob is ensuring the continuation of the covenant and shaping the future of the Israelite people.

4. **The Reversal of Primogeniture**: Immediately following this verse, Jacob crosses his hands to place the younger grandson, Ephraim, before Manasseh, the firstborn. This act foreshadows a recurring theme in the Bible where God often chooses the younger son over the elder, emphasizing God's sovereignty over human traditions and expectations.

5. **Historical Context**: The verse is set in the context of the Israelite family living in Egypt, where they have settled after Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, rose to power and saved the region from famine. This event takes place during the latter part of the sojourn in Egypt, before the Israelites become enslaved and eventually led out by Moses.

In summary, Genesis 48:10 captures a poignant moment of generational transition, where the themes of aging, family dynamics, covenantal promises, and the sovereignty of God's choices are all interwoven within the historical setting of the Israelite family in Egypt.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
2. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3513
   There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבַד
   Transliteration: kâbad
   Pronunciation: kaw-bad'
   Description: or כָּבֵד; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses); abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, [idiom] be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, [idiom] more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2207
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זֹקֶן
   Transliteration: zôqen
   Pronunciation: zo'-ken
   Description: from זָקֵן; old age; age.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3201
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָכֹל
   Transliteration: yâkôl
   Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
   Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5066
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַשׁ
   Transliteration: nâgash
   Pronunciation: naw-gash'
   Description: a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back; (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5401
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשַׁק
   Transliteration: nâshaq
   Pronunciation: naw-shak'
   Description: a primitive root (identical with נָשַׂק, through the idea of fastening up; compare חָזַק, חָשַׁק); to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons; armed (men), rule, kiss, that touched.
   
9. Strong's Number: H2263
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָבַק
   Transliteration: châbaq
   Pronunciation: khaw-bak'
   Description: a primitive root; to clasp (the hands or in embrace); embrace, fold.