Genesis 41:51

KJV

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, [said he], hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} called {H7121} the name {H8034} of the firstborn {H1060} Manasseh {H4519}: For God {H430}, said he, hath made me forget {H5382} all my toil {H5999}, and all my father's {H1} house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef called the firstborn M'nasheh [causing to forget], "Because God has caused me to forget all the troubles I suffered at the hands of my family."

Berean Standard Bible

Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.”

American Standard Version

And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh: For, said he, God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 41:51 records Joseph's naming of his firstborn son, Manasseh, a name he chose to commemorate God's profound work in his life. Joseph declared that God had enabled him to "forget" the immense toil and suffering he endured, as well as the painful separation from his father's house. This act signifies a pivotal moment of divine healing, restoration, and a new beginning for Joseph, highlighting God's faithful sovereignty in transforming deep sorrow into abundant joy and purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic narrative of Joseph's life in Egypt, following his miraculous rise from prisoner to prime minister. Having successfully interpreted Pharaoh's dreams of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, Joseph is elevated to a position of unparalleled authority, second only to Pharaoh himself (see [Genesis 41:39-44](/genesis/41-39-44 "Joseph's Elevation to Prime Minister")). Pharaoh gives him a wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On, and this verse immediately follows the description of the abundant harvest during the years of plenty. The birth of Manasseh, followed by Ephraim (recorded in [Genesis 41:52](/genesis/41-52 "The Naming of Ephraim")), marks the establishment of Joseph's own family in Egypt, a significant development after his long and painful separation from his original family in Canaan. It precedes the onset of the famine and the eventual reunion with his brothers, setting the stage for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the naming of children was a deeply significant act, often reflecting the parents' experiences, hopes, or theological understanding. Names were not mere labels but carried profound meaning, serving as a summary of circumstances, a prayer, or a prophetic declaration. For Joseph, naming his son Manasseh was a public declaration of God's work in his life, a testament to divine intervention. The concept of "forgetting" in this context does not imply literal amnesia, but rather a profound release from the emotional and psychological burden of past trauma. It speaks to a state of peace and healing where the sting of past suffering no longer dominates one's present reality. Joseph's position as vizier in Egypt also highlights the immense cultural chasm he had crossed, from a Hebrew shepherd boy to an Egyptian ruler, further emphasizing the depth of God's transformative power in his life.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 41:51 contributes powerfully to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Providence**, demonstrating God's sovereign hand at work in Joseph's life, orchestrating events for His purposes even through great suffering (as Joseph himself later acknowledges in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Purpose")). It highlights **God's Faithfulness** to His covenant promises, showing how He sustains and blesses His chosen ones even in foreign lands. The verse also introduces the theme of **Healing and Restoration**, illustrating God's capacity to mend broken hearts and release individuals from the grip of past trauma and bitterness. Furthermore, it foreshadows **New Beginnings and Fruitfulness**, as Joseph, once a victim of betrayal and injustice, now experiences the joy of family and leadership, signifying a shift from barrenness to blessing, a theme echoed throughout the patriarchal narratives, such as with Abraham and Sarah's miraculous son, Isaac, in [Genesis 21](/genesis/21 "The Birth of Isaac and Hagar's Expulsion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Manasseh (Hebrew, _Mᵉnashsheh'_):** From H4519, meaning "causing to forget." Joseph's choice of this name for his firstborn son is a direct etymological link to the verb "to forget," signifying that God had actively worked in his life to remove the oppressive weight of his past. It's not about erasing memories, but about nullifying the power of those memories to inflict pain or bitterness.
* **Made me forget (Hebrew, _nâshâh'_):** From H5382, a primitive root meaning "to forget; figuratively, to neglect; causatively, to remit, remove." This verb, in its causative Hiphil form, emphasizes divine agency. Joseph explicitly states that God (Elohim) was the one who *caused* him to forget, implying a supernatural act of emotional and spiritual liberation. It signifies a release from the psychological and emotional bondage of his past suffering.
* **Toil (Hebrew, _ʻâmâl'_):** From H5999, meaning "toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind; grievance(-vousness), iniquity, labour, mischief, miserable(-sery), pain(-ful), perverseness, sorrow, toil, travail, trouble, wearisome, wickedness." This word encompasses the full spectrum of Joseph's arduous experiences: the physical labor of slavery, the mental anguish of false accusation and imprisonment, and the emotional pain of betrayal and separation. God's act of "making him forget" this toil means He removed the debilitating effects and lingering bitterness associated with these profound hardships.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh":** This clause establishes the central action of the verse: Joseph's naming of his eldest son. The act of naming was profoundly significant in ancient cultures, often encapsulating a parent's experience or a divine truth. Joseph's deliberate choice of "Manasseh" (meaning "causing to forget") immediately signals the theological explanation that follows, highlighting his personal journey and God's intervention.
* **"For God, [said he], hath made me forget all my toil":** Here, Joseph provides the divine rationale for the name. He explicitly attributes his ability to overcome the immense suffering and hardship ("toil") he endured to God's direct intervention. The phrase "made me forget" signifies a profound emotional and spiritual healing, where the debilitating power of past pain, bitterness, and resentment was supernaturally removed, allowing him to live in peace and freedom.
* **"and all my father's house":** This phrase clarifies the specific nature of the "toil" that God enabled him to forget. It refers to the deep emotional wound of being separated from his family, particularly the betrayal by his brothers that led to his enslavement. It encompasses the longing for his father, Jacob, and the painful memories of the familial discord. God's work of "forgetting" extended to healing this profound relational brokenness, allowing Joseph to move forward without being consumed by the past.

#### Literary Devices
The verse prominently features **Etymological Wordplay**, where the name "Manasseh" (מְנַשֶּׁה, *Mᵉnashsheh*) is directly linked to the Hebrew verb "to forget" (נָשָׁה, *nâshâh*). This connection is explicitly stated by Joseph himself, serving as a powerful interpretive key for the reader. There is also clear **Divine Agency** at play, as Joseph attributes his healing and release from past burdens directly to "God" (אֱלֹהִים, *ʼĕlôhîym*). This emphasizes God's active and providential role in his life, not merely as a distant observer but as an intimate healer. Furthermore, the naming itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing a profound shift in Joseph's life from suffering and separation to healing, new beginnings, and fruitfulness. The birth of Manasseh symbolizes the triumph of God's grace over human cruelty and the promise of a future unburdened by past trauma.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's naming of Manasseh is a profound theological statement on God's redemptive power and providential care. It demonstrates that God's work is not limited to external circumstances, such as Joseph's rise to power, but extends deeply into the internal landscape of the human heart, bringing healing from trauma and releasing individuals from the grip of bitterness. This narrative powerfully illustrates that God can transform even the most grievous suffering into a testimony of His faithfulness, enabling His people to move beyond their pain into a season of peace and fruitfulness. It underscores the biblical truth that God is the ultimate source of healing and restoration, capable of mending broken hearts and providing new beginnings.

* [Psalm 30:11](/psalms/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - God Turns Mourning into Dancing")
* [Isaiah 43:18-19](/isaiah/43-18-19 "Isaiah 43:18-19 - Forget the Former Things")
* [Philippians 3:13-14](/philippians/3-13-14 "Philippians 3:13-14 - Forgetting What Is Behind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's experience with the naming of Manasseh offers profound encouragement for believers today who have endured deep pain, loss, or injustice. This verse reminds us that God is capable of bringing profound healing and enabling us to move forward, not by erasing our memories, but by removing the power of those memories to cause ongoing suffering, bitterness, or resentment. It invites us to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that even in the midst of our greatest trials, He can bring about a season of "forgetfulness" of sorrow and usher in new blessings and purpose, just as He did for Joseph. This narrative underscores the truth that [God works all things for good](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good") for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Our past does not have to define our future when God is actively at work, transforming our pain into a platform for His glory and our growth. We are called to surrender our hurts to Him, allowing His healing hand to bring peace where there was once only turmoil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "toil" or past hurts might God be inviting you to "forget" (i.e., release their power over you) in your own life?**
* **How does Joseph's attribution of healing to God challenge or affirm your understanding of divine providence in personal suffering?**
* **In what ways can the birth of "new things" in your life symbolize God's power to bring fruitfulness out of past barrenness?**

### FAQ
**What does the name Manasseh mean?**

Answer: The name Manasseh (Hebrew: *Mᵉnashsheh*) means "to cause to forget" or "one who causes to forget." Joseph chose this name because he believed God had supernaturally enabled him to release the pain and toil of his past, effectively "forgetting" its power over him.

**Did Joseph literally forget his family and past suffering?**

Answer: No, "forget" in this context does not mean literal amnesia or the erasure of memories. Joseph clearly remembered his family and past events, as evidenced by his emotional reactions when his brothers later came to Egypt (e.g., [Genesis 42:24](/genesis/42-24 "Joseph Weeps Before His Brothers") and [Genesis 45:1-3](/genesis/45-1-3 "Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers")). Instead, it signifies a profound emotional and spiritual healing where the power of past trauma, bitterness, and sorrow to control or define his present life was removed by God. He was freed from the debilitating, soul-crushing effects of his suffering, allowing him to live with peace and purpose.

**Why does Joseph say "God...hath made me forget"?**

Answer: Joseph attributes his healing and release from bitterness directly to God's active intervention. This highlights his deep faith and understanding of divine providence. He recognized that his ability to move past such profound suffering—betrayal, slavery, false imprisonment—was not merely a result of his own resilience or willpower but a supernatural work of God in his heart and mind. It underscores the biblical truth that true inner healing is ultimately a gift from God, who transforms our sorrow into joy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's journey from profound suffering to exalted leadership, and his experience of God enabling him to "forget" past pain, profoundly foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus endured immense suffering, betrayal, and injustice, being sold for a price (cf. [Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14-16 "Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus")) and unjustly condemned (cf. [Mark 15:15](/mark/15-15 "Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified")). Yet, through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross, He was exalted to the right hand of God (cf. [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Christ is the ultimate Manasseh, for through His atoning work, He enables us to "forget" the power of sin and death, not by erasing our memory of them, but by liberating us from their dominion, guilt, and condemnation (cf. [Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1-2 "No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). He provides true spiritual healing, forgiving our past (cf. [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Redemption Through Christ's Blood")) and granting us a new identity and purpose in Him (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")). In Christ, we find true redemption from suffering, a new beginning, and the ultimate source of spiritual fruitfulness, far surpassing any earthly healing or prosperity Joseph experienced, as He makes all things new (cf. [Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Behold, I Am Making All Things New")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 30:5

For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.

Proverbs 31:7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Genesis 41:30

And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

Psalms 30:11

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

Deuteronomy 33:17

His glory [is like] the firstling of his bullock, and his horns [are like] the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they [are] the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they [are] the thousands of Manasseh.

Genesis 48:5

And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, [are] mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

Psalms 45:10

¶ Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;