Genesis 48:10

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, [so that] he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

Now the eyes {H5869} of Israel {H3478} were dim {H3513} for age {H2207}, so that he could {H3201} not see {H7200}. And he brought them near {H5066} unto him; and he kissed {H5401} them, and embraced {H2263} them.

Now Isra'el's eyes were dim with age, so that he could not see. Yosef brought his sons near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them.

Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

Commentary

Genesis 48:10 captures a tender and pivotal moment in the life of the patriarch Jacob, also known as Israel, as he prepares to bless Joseph's sons.

Context

At this point in the narrative, Jacob (who was renamed Israel by God) is 147 years old and nearing the end of his life, having lived 147 years. Joseph has brought his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to their grandfather for a significant patriarchal blessing. The verse specifically notes Jacob's advanced age has caused his eyesight to be "dim," meaning severely impaired, making it difficult for him to see clearly. This physical limitation sets the stage for a blessing that will rely more on touch, spiritual discernment, and divine guidance than on visual recognition. This scene subtly echoes a similar situation when Jacob's own father, Isaac, was blind when he blessed Jacob and Esau.

Key Themes

  • Profound Affection and Intimacy: Despite his inability to see clearly, Jacob's desire to bring his grandsons "near unto him" and his actions of kissing and embracing them demonstrate deep love and personal affection. This physical closeness emphasizes the warmth and genuine bond within the family.
  • Patriarchal Blessing and Generational Continuity: This act is a prelude to the formal blessing of Joseph's sons, a crucial step in the transfer of the covenant promises from one generation to the next. It highlights the importance of spiritual inheritance and the continuation of the lineage through which God's promises would unfold.
  • Faith Over Physical Sight: Jacob's physical eyes were failing, but his spiritual insight remained keen. His subsequent actions in blessing Manasseh and Ephraim (as seen in Genesis 48:14) demonstrate a reliance on God's direction rather than human perception. This spiritual discernment is celebrated in the New Testament as an act of faith (Hebrews 11:21).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dim" (kahah) suggests a dullness or weakening of sight rather than complete blindness. It paints a picture of a venerable patriarch whose physical strength and senses are fading, yet whose spiritual authority and purpose remain strong. The emphasis on Jacob's name "Israel" in this context reminds us of his unique status as the progenitor of the twelve tribes and the recipient of God's covenant blessings.

Practical Application

Genesis 48:10 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Value Physical Connection: The verse reminds us of the power and importance of expressing love and affirmation through physical touch, especially for our elders and those who may have sensory limitations.
  • Pass on Spiritual Heritage: Like Jacob, we are called to actively participate in the spiritual formation of younger generations, passing on our faith, values, and blessings. This contributes to the continuity of God's work across generations.
  • Trust Spiritual Discernment: Jacob's reliance on spiritual insight despite physical impairment encourages us to seek God's guidance and trust in His divine plan, even when our own vision or understanding is limited.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 27:27

    And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son [is] as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

  • Genesis 27:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, [here am] I.

  • 1 Kings 19:20

    And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and [then] I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

  • Isaiah 6:10

    Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

  • Genesis 45:15

    Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

  • Isaiah 59:1

    ¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

  • 1 Samuel 4:15

    Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
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