TRV
Translation
King James Version
And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
Complete Jewish Bible
saying to me, 'I will make you fruitful and numerous. I will make of you a group of peoples; and I will give this land to your descendants to possess forever.'
Berean Standard Bible
and told me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you; I will make you a multitude of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’
American Standard Version
and said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a company of peoples, and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
World English Bible Messianic
and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your seed after you for an everlasting possession.’
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he sayde vnto me, Behold, I wil make thee fruitefull, and will multiplie thee, and will make a great number of people of thee, and will giue this lande vnto thy seede after thee for an euerlasting possession.
Young's Literal Translation
and saith unto me, Lo, I am making thee fruitful, and have multiplied thee, and given thee for an assembly of peoples, and given this land to thy seed after thee, a possession age-during.
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In the KJVVerse 1,456 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 48 verses 1–7
1 ¶ 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.
2 And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
4 And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
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.
6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
Here, I. Joseph, upon notice of his father's illness, goes to see him; though a man of honour and business, yet he will not fail to show this due respect to his aged father, Gen 48:1. Visiting the sick, to whom we lie under obligations, or may have opportunity of doing good, either for body or soul, is our duty. The sick bed is a proper place both for giving comfort and counsel to others and receiving instruction ourselves. Joseph took his two sons with him, that they might receive their dying grandfather's blessing, and that what they might see in him, and hear from him, might make an abiding impression upon them. Note, 1. It is good to acquaint young people that are coming into the world with the aged servants of God that are going out of it, whose dying testimony to the goodness of God, and the pleasantness of wisdom's ways, may be a great encouragement to the rising generation. Manasseh and Ephraim (I dare say) would never forget what passed at this time. 2. Pious parents are desirous of a blessing, not only for themselves, but for their children. "O that they may live before God!" Joseph had been, above all his brethren, kind to his father, and therefore had reason to expect particular favour from him.
II. Jacob, upon notice of his son's visit, prepared himself as well as he could to entertain him, Gen 48:2. He did what he could to rouse his spirits, and to stir up the gift that was in him; what little was lift of bodily strength he put forth to the utmost, and sat upon the bed. Note, It is very good for sick and aged people to be as lively and cheerful as they can, that they may not faint in the day of adversity. Strengthen thyself, as Jacob here, and God will strengthen thee; hearten thyself and help thyself, and God will help and hearten thee. Let the spirit sustain the infirmity.
III. In recompence to Joseph for all his attentions to him, he adopted his two sons. In this charter of adoption there is, 1. A particular recital of God's promise to him, to which this had reference: "God blessed me (Gen 48:3), and let that blessing be entailed upon them." God had promised him two things, a numerous issue, and Canaan for an inheritance (Gen 48:4); and Joseph's sons, pursuant hereunto, should each of them multiply into a tribe, and each of them have a distinct lot in Canaan, equal with Jacob's own sons. See how he blessed them by faith in that which God had said to him, Heb 11:21. Note, In all our prayers, both for ourselves and for our children, we ought to have a particular eye to, and remembrance of, God's promises to us. 2. An express reception of Joseph's sons into his family: "Thy sons are mine (Gen 48:5), not only my grandchildren, but as my own children." Though they were born in Egypt, and their father was then separated from his brethren, which might seem to have cut them off from the heritage of the Lord, yet Jacob takes them in, and owns them for visible church members. He explains this at Gen 48:16, Let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers; as if he had said, "Let them not succeed their father in his power and grandeur here in Egypt, but let them succeed me in the inheritance of the promise made to Abraham," which Jacob looked upon as much more valuable and honourable, and would have them to prize and covet accordingly. Thus the aged dying patriarch teaches these young persons, now that they were of age (being about twenty-one years old), not to look upon Egypt as their home, nor to incorporate themselves with the Egyptians, but to take their lot with the people of God, as Moses afterwards in the like temptation, Heb 11:24-26. And because it would be a piece of self-denial in them, who stood so fair for preferment in Egypt, to adhere to the despised Hebrews, to encourage them he constitutes each of them the head of a tribe. Note, Those are worthy of double honour who, through God's grace, break through the temptations of worldly wealth and preferment, to embrace religion in disgrace and poverty. Jacob will have Ephraim and Manasseh to believe that it is better to be low and in the church than high and out of it, to be called by the name of poor Jacob than to be called by the name of rich Joseph. 3. A proviso inserted concerning the children he might afterwards have; they should not be accounted heads of tribes, as Ephraim and Manasseh were, but should fall in with either the one or the other of their brethren, Gen 48:6. It does not appear that Joseph had any more children; however, it was Jacob's prudence to give this direction, for the preventing of contest and mismanagement. Note, In making settlements, it is good to take advice, and to provide for what may happen, while we cannot foresee what will happen. Our prudence must attend God's providence. 4. Mention is made of the death and burial of Rachel, Joseph's mother, and Jacob's best beloved wife (Gen 48:7), referring to that story, Gen 35:19. Note, (1.) When we come to die ourselves, it is good to call to mind the death of our dear relations and friends, that have gone before us, to make death and the grave the more familiar to us. See Num 27:13. Those that were to us as our own souls are dead and buried; and shall we think it much to follow them in the same path? (2.) The removal of dear relations from us is an affliction the remembrance of which cannot but abide with us a great while. Strong affections in the enjoyment cause long afflictions in the loss.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 48:4 captures Jacob's solemn recounting of God's foundational covenant promise delivered to him at Luz (Bethel). This pivotal divine affirmation, made as Jacob prepares to bless Joseph's sons, underscores God's unwavering commitment to making Jacob exceedingly fruitful, multiplying his descendants into a vast assembly of nations, and granting the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession to his posterity. It serves as the theological bedrock for the subsequent transfer of patriarchal blessings, ensuring the continuity of God's redemptive plan across generations.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In Genesis 48:4, Jacob directly quotes God's words spoken to him at Bethel, highlighting the specific elements of the covenant promise that are foundational to Israel's identity and future. The verse reiterates three core aspects of God's commitment to Jacob: personal fruitfulness, national multiplication, and the perpetual inheritance of the land.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 48:4 is rich in literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The most prominent is Repetition, as Jacob directly quotes God's words, echoing earlier covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac. This repetition emphasizes the Continuity and Unwavering Nature of God's covenant across generations. The use of the divine "I will" ("I will make thee fruitful," "I will make of thee," "I will give") highlights God's Sovereignty and active role in fulfilling His promises, underscoring that these are divinely initiated and guaranteed, not dependent on human effort. The tripartite promise of fruitfulness, multiplication into a multitude, and the everlasting land possession creates a form of Parallelism and Emphasis, systematically laying out the comprehensive scope of God's commitment. Furthermore, the verse functions as Foreshadowing, looking forward to the eventual exodus from Egypt and the Israelite nation's entry into and possession of the Promised Land, even while Jacob's family is still in a foreign land.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 48:4 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant promises and His unwavering faithfulness across generations. By having Jacob recount this specific promise from Bethel, the text underscores that the blessings about to be conferred upon Joseph's sons are not arbitrary but are deeply rooted in God's eternal word. This reiteration reinforces the continuity of the Abrahamic covenant, demonstrating that God's plan for His people, initiated with Abraham, is progressively unfolded and confirmed through Isaac and Jacob, providing a secure foundation for Israel's identity and future. It highlights God's sovereign power to bring about His purposes, even when circumstances seem to contradict the promises, instilling hope and assurance in the hearts of His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 48:4 offers profound reassurance about the unchanging character of God and the reliability of His word. It reminds believers that God's promises are utterly dependable, extending through generations, and will ultimately be fulfilled, regardless of present challenges or delays. Just as Jacob's family was in Egypt yet held onto the promise of the land, we too are called to cultivate a deep, unwavering trust in God's faithfulness for our future, both individually and corporately. This verse encourages us to live with a long-term perspective, knowing that God's plans for His people are secure and His timing is perfect. Furthermore, Jacob's deliberate act of recounting God's promise to his grandsons highlights the vital importance of intentionally passing on our spiritual heritage, the stories of God's faithfulness, and the knowledge of His covenant promises to the next generation. This ensures that the legacy of faith continues to thrive, equipping future generations to trust in the same faithful God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Jacob emphasize the "everlasting possession" of the land, especially since his family is in Egypt?
Answer: Jacob emphasizes the "everlasting possession" of the land to underscore the permanence and divine guarantee of this crucial covenant promise. At this point in the narrative, Jacob's family is indeed residing in Egypt, not Canaan. By recalling God's specific word that the land would be an "everlasting possession" (Genesis 48:4), Jacob reinforces that their current displacement is temporary and that God's covenant promise for their future inheritance of the Promised Land remains unwavering and eternally secured by God's own faithfulness. This emphasis serves to provide profound assurance and hope for Joseph and his sons, and by extension, all future generations of Israel, that God's long-term plan for them to inhabit Canaan is immutable, regardless of their immediate circumstances. It anchors their identity and future in God's unfailing word.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 48:4 speaks of a physical land and a numerous physical seed, its ultimate and most profound fulfillment points to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the true and ultimate "seed" of Abraham and Jacob, the one through whom all the promises of God find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). The promise of "fruitfulness" and "multitude of people" is spiritually fulfilled in the vast, multi-ethnic body of believers—the church—who are adopted into God's family through faith in Christ, thereby becoming spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29). The "everlasting possession" of the land, while having a historical fulfillment for Israel, ultimately points to the eternal inheritance believers have in Christ: not merely a patch of earthly soil, but the new heavens and new earth, and eternal life in God's glorious presence (Revelation 21:1-7). The patriarchs themselves understood that their ultimate hope lay beyond a physical land, looking forward to a heavenly country (Hebrews 11:13-16). Christ is the ultimate Heir and the one who secures this everlasting spiritual possession for all who believe in Him, bringing about a fulfillment far grander than the original recipients could have fully imagined.