Genesis 48:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

The Angel which 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 let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

the angel who has rescued me from all harm, bless these boys. May they remember who I am and what I stand for, and likewise my fathers Avraham and Yitz'chak, who they were and what they stood for. And may they grow into teeming multitudes on the earth."

Berean Standard Bible:

the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”

American Standard Version:

the angel who hath 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 let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The Angel^{H4397} which redeemed^{H1350} me from all evil^{H7451}, bless^{H1288} the lads^{H5288}; and let my name^{H8034} be named^{H7121} on them, and the name^{H8034} of my fathers^{H1} Abraham^{H85} and Isaac^{H3327}; and let them grow^{H1711} into a multitude^{H7230} in the midst^{H7130} of the earth^{H776}.

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Commentary for Genesis 48:16

Genesis 48:16 is part of the narrative where Jacob, also known as Israel, is blessing his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph. This event occurs toward the end of Jacob's life, during the period when the Israelites are living in Egypt due to the famine in Canaan.

**Themes:**

1. **Divine Protection and Redemption:** Jacob refers to "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil," which reflects his belief in divine protection throughout his life. This is a theme of faith, acknowledging that his well-being and success were not solely of his own doing but were guided by a divine force.

2. **Blessing and Legacy:** Jacob desires that his grandsons be blessed, indicating his role as a patriarch and his wish to pass on blessings to the next generations. This theme of blessing is central to the narrative, showing the importance of lineage and the transfer of spiritual and material wealth within the family.

3. **Identity and Continuity:** By invoking the names of his forefathers Abraham and Isaac, Jacob connects the past with the future. He emphasizes the importance of identity and continuity within the covenantal relationship that God established with his ancestors, which is to be carried on through Ephraim and Manasseh.

4. **Fruitfulness and Multiplication:** Jacob's prayer that his grandsons would grow into a multitude reflects the ongoing theme of fruitfulness and multiplication, which is a central tenet of the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This theme is echoed in the earlier blessing of God to Abraham in Genesis 17:6, "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you."

**Historical Context:**

- **Patriarchal Period:** This verse is set during the Patriarchal period, which spans from Abraham to Joseph, roughly the 2nd millennium BCE. The Israelites are a semi-nomadic people, and at this point, they are living in Egypt at the invitation of Pharaoh, due to Joseph's high position in the Egyptian court.

- **Transition of Leadership:** Jacob's act of blessing his grandsons signifies a passing of the torch to the next generation. It occurs within the broader context of the family's transition from life in Canaan to settlement in Egypt, which will eventually lead to the Israelites' enslavement and the events of the Exodus.

- **Cultural Practices:** The act of blessing, particularly by a patriarch, was a significant cultural and religious practice. It was a way of conferring status, inheritance, and divine favor upon the recipient, often with a laying on of hands. Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh is particularly noteworthy because he crosses his hands, giving the primary blessing to the younger grandson, Ephraim, over the older, Manasseh, which foreshadows the reversal of primogeniture rights that will be seen throughout Israel's history.

In summary, Genesis 48:1

*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: H4397
   There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
   Transliteration: mălʼâk
   Pronunciation: mal-awk'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1350
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּאַל
   Transliteration: gâʼal
   Pronunciation: gaw-al'
   Description: a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e.; to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.); [idiom] in any wise, [idiom] at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7451
   There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַע
   Transliteration: raʻ
   Pronunciation: rah
   Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
   
4. Strong's Number: H1288
   There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָרַךְ
   Transliteration: bârak
   Pronunciation: baw-rak'
   Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5288
   There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נַעַר
   Transliteration: naʻar
   Pronunciation: nah'-ar
   Description: from נָעַר; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age); babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man).
   
6. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1
   There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָב
   Transliteration: ʼâb
   Pronunciation: awb
   Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
   
9. Strong's Number: H85
   There are 1159 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַבְרָהָם
   Transliteration: ʼAbrâhâm
   Pronunciation: ab-raw-hawm'
   Description: contracted from אָב and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram; Abraham.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3327
    There are 101 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יִצְחָק
    Transliteration: Yitschâq
    Pronunciation: yits-khawk'
    Description: from צָחַק; laughter (i.e. mochery); Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham; Isaac. Compare יִשְׂחָק.
    
11. Strong's Number: H1711
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָּגָה
    Transliteration: dâgâh
    Pronunciation: daw-gaw'
    Description: a primitive root; to move rapidly; used only as a denominative from דָּג; to spawn, i.e. become numerous; grow.
    
12. Strong's Number: H7230
    There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רֹב
    Transliteration: rôb
    Pronunciation: robe
    Description: from רָבַב; abundance (in any respect); abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age).
    
13. Strong's Number: H7130
    There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קֶרֶב
    Transliteration: qereb
    Pronunciation: keh'-reb
    Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.
    
14. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.