Genesis 48:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass after these things, that [one] told Joseph, Behold, thy father [is] sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass after {H310} these things {H1697}, that one told {H559} Joseph {H3130}, Behold, thy father {H1} is sick {H2470}: and he took {H3947} with him his two {H8147} sons {H1121}, Manasseh {H4519} and Ephraim {H669}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Awhile later someone told Yosef that his father was ill. He took with him his two sons, M'nasheh and Efrayim.

Berean Standard Bible

Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass after these things, that one said to Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 48:1 marks a poignant and pivotal transition in the life of Jacob, signaling the approaching culmination of his earthly journey and setting the stage for his final, foundational blessings upon his descendants. Upon receiving the news of his father's serious illness, Joseph, demonstrating profound filial devotion, immediately brings his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob's bedside, an act that precipitates the significant patriarchal declarations that will profoundly shape the future tribal structure and spiritual inheritance of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates the final, climactic section of the Book of Genesis, shifting the narrative focus from Joseph's administrative success and the family's settlement in Egypt to Jacob's impending death and his final, prophetic pronouncements. The phrase "after these things" directly references the preceding seventeen years Jacob had lived in Egypt ([Genesis 47:28](/genesis/47-28 "Jacob's seventeen years in Egypt")), establishing a clear chronological and thematic transition. This opening verse sets the scene for the patriarchal blessings of chapters 48 and 49, which serve as Jacob's spiritual will and testament, outlining the future destinies of the twelve tribes of Israel. It marks the transition from the narrative of the patriarchs' lives to their legacy and the foundational promises that will carry into the Exodus and beyond.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the deathbed pronouncements of a patriarch held immense legal, social, and spiritual weight. Such blessings were not mere good wishes but authoritative declarations believed to shape the recipient's future and destiny. It was customary for the family, especially the eldest sons, to gather around the dying patriarch to receive final instructions, blessings, and the transfer of authority and inheritance. Joseph's immediate response to his father's illness, bringing his sons, reflects this cultural expectation and his deep respect for his father's position and the significance of his final words. Despite his immense power as Pharaoh's prime minister, Joseph adheres to the deeply ingrained family and cultural norms, prioritizing his father's wishes.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 48:1 introduces several crucial themes that permeate the subsequent chapters and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **continuity of God's covenant promises**, demonstrating that even in the face of death, God's plan for His chosen people continues to unfold through the generations. Secondly, it highlights the profound importance of **intergenerational legacy and the transfer of faith**, as Jacob prepares to pass on the Abrahamic covenant to his descendants. Thirdly, Joseph's actions exemplify **filial piety and devotion**, a recurring biblical principle. Finally, the specific mention of Manasseh and Ephraim immediately foreshadows the unique **formation of Israel's tribal structure** and Joseph's "double portion" inheritance, a theme that will be central to the blessings in [Genesis 48](/genesis/48 "Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh") and [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Jacob's Prophetic Blessings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** This word (H1) refers to Jacob, the patriarch, the immediate and literal head of the family, and the current recipient of the covenant promises. In this context, it emphasizes his foundational role in the lineage of Israel and the gravity of his impending death as a pivotal moment for the family's future.
* **sick (Hebrew, _châlâh'_):** The term (H2470) signifies more than a minor ailment; it implies a state of weakness, infirmity, or grave illness, often leading to death. In Genesis 48:1, Jacob's sickness is clearly understood as a terminal condition, prompting the urgent gathering of his family for final arrangements and blessings, underscoring the seriousness of the moment.
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_):** This word (H1121) refers to Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph's two children. Their presence is crucial as they are about to be adopted by Jacob, thereby elevating their status to that of Jacob's direct sons and ensuring Joseph's "double portion" inheritance within the tribal structure of Israel, a significant deviation from typical inheritance patterns.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass after these things,"**: This opening phrase, often marked by a pilcrow (¶) in older translations, signals a significant narrative transition. "After these things" specifically refers to the seventeen years Jacob had lived in Egypt (Genesis 47:28), establishing the chronological context and indicating a shift from the general account of Jacob's life in Egypt to the specific events surrounding his final days and the transfer of his patriarchal authority.
* **"that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick:"**: This clause conveys the critical news that sets the chapter's events in motion. The anonymous messenger highlights the urgency and gravity of Jacob's condition, prompting Joseph's immediate and dutiful response. The phrase "Behold, thy father is sick" is an urgent announcement, emphasizing the seriousness of Jacob's declining health and the need for prompt action.
* **"and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim."**: This final clause details Joseph's immediate and purposeful action. His decision to bring Manasseh and Ephraim to Jacob's bedside is not incidental; it is a deliberate act that foreshadows Jacob's subsequent adoption of them (Genesis 48:5), which will have profound implications for the future tribal configuration of Israel and Joseph's inheritance. It demonstrates Joseph's understanding of the cultural significance of deathbed blessings and his desire for his sons to receive their grandfather's pronouncements.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its significance. The **Transition** is clearly marked by the opening phrase "And it came to pass after these things," which signals a shift in narrative focus from the general account of Jacob's life in Egypt to the specific events of his final days. This is further emphasized by the KJV's use of the pilcrow (¶). **Foreshadowing** is evident in Joseph's deliberate act of bringing his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob. This action subtly hints at the unique adoption and double portion blessing they are about to receive, which will profoundly impact the tribal structure of Israel. The news of Jacob's **Sickness** serves as a narrative catalyst, propelling the plot forward and creating a sense of urgency and solemnity, setting the stage for the weighty pronouncements that follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 48:1 serves as a profound reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and the continuity of His covenant promises across generations, even amidst the natural progression of life and death. Jacob's impending death is not an end but a divinely appointed moment for the patriarch to impart crucial blessings and prophecies that will shape the future of Israel, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all life's stages. Joseph's exemplary filial piety underscores the biblical imperative to honor parents, particularly in their vulnerable elder years, and highlights the sacred responsibility of passing on a spiritual legacy. This verse initiates a powerful demonstration of the significance of patriarchal blessing in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the transfer of faith, values, and covenant promises to the next generation.

* [Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "God's Covenant Promise to Abraham")
* [Hebrews 11:21](/hebrews/11-21 "Jacob's Faith and Blessing")
* [Deuteronomy 5:16](/deuteronomy/5-16 "Honor Your Father and Mother")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 48:1 invites us to reflect deeply on the preciousness of life's final seasons and the profound impact of intergenerational relationships. Joseph's immediate and respectful response to his father's illness serves as a powerful reminder of the biblical imperative to honor and care for our parents, especially as they age and become vulnerable. It prompts us to consider our own spiritual legacy and the values we are actively passing on to the next generation, recognizing that our words, actions, and even our final moments can carry immense weight and shape the future of our families and communities. Just as Jacob's illness set the stage for significant divine declarations and the unfolding of God's purposes, our own moments of vulnerability or the vulnerability of those we love can become opportunities for God's grace to be displayed and for His will to be furthered. We are called to be present, to listen, and to facilitate the transfer of faith and wisdom across the generations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's immediate response to his father's illness challenge or affirm our own priorities in caring for aging family members?**
* **What spiritual legacy are we actively building and seeking to pass on to the next generation, recognizing the weight and significance of such a transfer?**
* **In what ways can we, like Jacob, use our final seasons of life to impart wisdom, blessings, and faith to those who come after us?**

### FAQ
**Why is the KJV's '¶' symbol present at the beginning of Genesis 48:1?**

Answer: The "¶" symbol, known as a pilcrow or paragraph mark, is a typographical device used in some printings of the King James Version (KJV) and other older texts to indicate a new paragraph or a significant thematic or narrative break. In Genesis 48:1, its presence signals a distinct shift in the biblical story, moving from the general account of Jacob's life in Egypt to the specific, climactic events surrounding his final days, his illness, and the subsequent blessings of his sons. It serves as a visual cue to the reader that a new section or a major turning point in the narrative is beginning, aiding in the organization and comprehension of the text's flow.

**What is the significance of Joseph bringing only Manasseh and Ephraim to Jacob?**

Answer: Joseph bringing only his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob is profoundly significant because it sets the stage for a unique and pivotal moment in Israel's tribal history. In [Genesis 48:5](/genesis/48-5 "Jacob Adopts Ephraim and Manasseh"), Jacob adopts Manasseh and Ephraim as his own direct sons, placing them on equal footing with Reuben and Simeon, his firstborn sons. This act ensures that Joseph, through his two sons, receives a "double portion" of the inheritance among his brothers, a privilege typically reserved for the firstborn. Instead of one tribe named after Joseph, there would be two distinct tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim—which would become prominent and numerous in Israel. This arrangement not only elevates Joseph's lineage but also fulfills prophetic implications from his own life, underscoring his preeminence and the unique blessing bestowed upon him by his father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 48:1 focuses on the patriarch Jacob and the nascent formation of Israel's tribes, it implicitly points towards Christ in the broader narrative of God's covenant and the ultimate inheritance. Jacob's act of blessing and establishing the tribal lineage foreshadows Christ as the true and ultimate Heir of all God's promises, the one through whom all the families of the earth would ultimately be blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham")). Just as Jacob, in his weakness, imparted a foundational blessing that shaped the future of physical Israel, Christ, through His ultimate sacrifice and resurrection, secures the spiritual inheritance for all who are "in Him" ([Ephesians 1:3-6](/ephesians/1-3-6 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). He is the true "firstborn among many brothers" ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Christ, Firstborn Among Many Brothers")), establishing a new, spiritual Israel—the Church—which inherits the promises of God not through physical lineage or a double portion of land, but through faith in Him, the ultimate Son and the source of all true and eternal blessing ([Romans 9:6-8](/romans/9-6-8 "True Israel Defined by Faith")).

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

Genesis 46:20

And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

Genesis 50:23

And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third [generation]: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.

Genesis 41:50

And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

Genesis 41:52

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

John 11:3

Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

Psalms 128:6

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, [and] peace upon Israel.

Job 42:16

After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, [even] four generations.