King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought [them] near unto him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then Yosef took them both, Efrayim in his right hand toward Isra'el's left hand and M'nasheh in his left hand toward Isra'el's right hand, and brought them near to him.
Berean Standard Bible:
And Joseph took both of them—with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand—and brought them close to him.
American Standard Version:
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Joseph{H3130} took{H3947} them both{H8147}, Ephraim{H669} in his right hand{H3225} toward Israel's{H3478} left hand{H8040}, and Manasseh{H4519} in his left hand{H8040} toward Israel's{H3478} right hand{H3225}, and brought them near{H5066} unto him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 48:13
Genesis 48:13 is part of the narrative where Joseph brings his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to his father Jacob (also known as Israel) for a blessing. This event occurs toward the end of Jacob's life, as he is living in Egypt with his extended family, which has grown into a large clan.
**Themes:**
1. **Blessing and Legacy:** Jacob's act of blessing his grandsons is a significant moment in the patriarchal narratives, as it signifies the continuation of the covenantal blessings that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The blessing of the next generation is a key theme in the book of Genesis.
2. **Reversal of Expectations:** In the following verses (Genesis 48:14-20), Jacob crosses his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim, the younger son, and his left hand on Manasseh, the older son. This act symbolizes a reversal of the traditional order of primogeniture, where the older son typically receives the greater blessing. This theme of the younger surpassing the older is recurrent in Genesis (e.g., Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau).
3. **God's Sovereignty:** The crossing of hands is not merely a personal preference of Jacob but is understood as being guided by divine purpose. It reflects the theme that God's plans and promises are fulfilled in unexpected ways, often subverting human expectations and social norms.
**Historical Context:**
The setting is ancient Egypt, where Joseph has risen to a position of great power, second only to Pharaoh. The Israelites have settled in the land of Goshen due to a severe famine in the region. Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh is a familial event with significant implications for the future of the Israelite people. It is a bridge between the generations, ensuring that the promises made to the patriarchs will continue through these boys, who will be considered as tribal heads in their own right when the Israelites eventually become a nation in their own land.
This verse and the surrounding narrative reflect the dynamics of a family that is both deeply rooted in its past and looking forward to its future. It is a moment that cements the unity and destiny of the tribes of Israel, which will be central to the identity and history of the people as they move toward the events of the Exodus and beyond.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H8147
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
Transliteration: shᵉnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. - Strong's Number: H669
There are 313 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶפְרַיִם
Transliteration: ʼEphrayim
Pronunciation: ef-rah'-yim
Description: dual of masculine form of אֶפְרָת; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Ephraim, Ephraimites. - Strong's Number: H3225
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָמִין
Transliteration: yâmîyn
Pronunciation: yaw-meen'
Description: from יָמַן; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south; [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south. - 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. - Strong's Number: H8040
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׂמֹאול
Transliteration: sᵉmôʼwl
Pronunciation: sem-ole'
Description: or שְׂמֹאל; a primitive word (rather perhaps from the same as שִׂמְלָה (by insertion of the aleph) through the idea of wrapping up); properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand; left (hand, side). - Strong's Number: H4519
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְנַשֶּׁה
Transliteration: Mᵉnashsheh
Pronunciation: men-ash-sheh'
Description: from נָשָׁה; causing to forget; Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Manasseh. - 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.