Genesis 48:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid [it] upon Ephraim's head, who [was] the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh [was] the firstborn.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But Isra'el put out his right hand and laid it on the head of the younger one, Efrayim, and put his left hand on the head of M'nasheh - he intentionally crossed his hands, even though M'nasheh was the firstborn.

Berean Standard Bible:

But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.

American Standard Version:

And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the first-born.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Israel^{H3478} stretched out^{H7971} his right hand^{H3225}, and laid^{H7896} it upon Ephraim's^{H669} head^{H7218}, who was the younger^{H6810}, and his left hand^{H8040} upon Manasseh's^{H4519} head^{H7218}, guiding^{H7919} his hands^{H3027} wittingly^{H7919}; for Manasseh^{H4519} was the firstborn^{H1060}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 48:14

Genesis 48:14 is part of the narrative involving Jacob (also known as Israel) and his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph. This verse captures a pivotal moment in the family's history as Jacob, nearing the end of his life, blesses his grandsons. The historical context is the end of the patriarchal period, when Jacob is passing on the covenantal blessings to the next generation.

Themes present in this verse include:

1. **Blessing and Legacy**: Jacob is shown bestowing blessings upon his grandchildren, which was a significant act in the ancient Near East, as it determined the recipient's future and status within the family and community.

2. **Reversal of Primogeniture**: In a surprising move, Jacob crosses his hands to place his right hand, signifying the greater blessing, on the head of Ephraim, the younger son, rather than Manasseh, the firstborn. This act subverts the traditional rights of the firstborn, a theme that recurs throughout Genesis (e.g., Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau).

3. **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**: The act of blessings, especially when contrary to cultural norms, underscores the belief in divine guidance and the idea that God's plans supersede human traditions and expectations.

4. **Family Dynamics and Relationships**: The interaction between Joseph, his father Jacob, and his sons reflects complex family relationships, including Joseph's concern for his father's actions and Jacob's affection and insight into his grandchildren's futures.

5. **Covenantal Promises**: By blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob continues the line of the covenant that God established with Abraham, Isaac, and himself, ensuring its continuation through the tribes of Israel.

This verse is significant as it illustrates the transition of leadership and blessing from one generation to the next, setting the stage for the Israelites' future in Egypt and ultimately their journey to the Promised Land.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7896
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁית
   Transliteration: shîyth
   Pronunciation: sheeth
   Description: a primitive root; to place (in a very wide application); apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7218
   There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹאשׁ
   Transliteration: rôʼsh
   Pronunciation: roshe
   Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6810
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָעִיר
   Transliteration: tsâʻîyr
   Pronunciation: tsaw-eer'
   Description: or צָעוֹר; from צָעַר; little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble; least, little (one), small (one), [phrase] young(-er, -est).
   
8. 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).
   
9. 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.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7919
    There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׂכַל
    Transliteration: sâkal
    Pronunciation: saw-kal'
    Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent; consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(-ly), guide wittingly.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3027
    There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָד
    Transliteration: yâd
    Pronunciation: yawd
    Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
    
12. Strong's Number: H1060
    There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בְּכוֹר
    Transliteration: bᵉkôwr
    Pronunciation: bek-ore'
    Description: from בָּכַר; firstborn; hence, chief; eldest (son), firstborn(-ling).