Genesis 48:6

KJV

And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, [and] shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thy issue {H4138}, which thou begettest {H3205} after {H310} them, shall be thine, and shall be called {H7121} after {H5921} the name {H8034} of their brethren {H251} in their inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The children born to you after them will be yours, but for purposes of inheritance they are to be counted with their older brothers.

Berean Standard Bible

Any children born to you after them shall be yours, and they shall be called by the names of their brothers in the territory they inherit.

American Standard Version

And thy issue, that thou begettest after them, shall be thine; they shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 48:6 delineates the future status of Joseph's descendants beyond Ephraim and Manasseh, stipulating that any subsequent children born to him would not establish new, independent tribes. Instead, they would be integrated into the existing tribal structures of Ephraim and Manasseh, inheriting their identity and portion within the burgeoning nation of Israel. This crucial provision ensured the stability, defined structure, and orderly succession of the twelve tribes, preventing an indefinite proliferation of Joseph's lineage as separate tribal units and upholding the patriarchal design for Israel's future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jacob's final blessings and prophetic declarations before his death, specifically concerning Joseph and his sons. In the preceding verse, [Genesis 48:5](/genesis/48-5 "Jacob Adopts Ephraim and Manasseh"), Jacob makes the remarkable pronouncement that Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's sons, would be considered his own, on par with Reuben and Simeon. This act effectively grants Joseph a double portion of the inheritance, a privilege typically reserved for the firstborn, thereby elevating his standing among his brothers. Verse 6 then serves as a crucial clarification, establishing the boundaries of this special privilege. It ensures that while Joseph's two sons receive full tribal status, any *further* offspring Joseph might have would not create additional tribes, thus maintaining the foundational twelve-tribe structure of Israel and preventing an uncontrolled expansion of tribal units from Joseph's prolific line.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, lineage, inheritance, and tribal identity were paramount. Land was typically passed down through patriarchal lines, and the number and identity of tribes were critical for social, military, and religious organization. The concept of a "double portion" was a recognized right of the firstborn son, signifying preeminence and responsibility (cf. [Deuteronomy 21:17](/deuteronomy/21-17 "The Right of the Firstborn")). Jacob's adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons, thereby granting Joseph this double portion through them, was an extraordinary act that reshaped the future tribal geography of Israel. This arrangement, including the stipulation in verse 6, reflects the meticulous care taken to define the boundaries and ensure the orderly distribution of the promised land among the tribes, a process that would later be detailed in books like [Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of **Divine Order and Structure**, demonstrating God's meticulous planning for His people, even in the details of their social and tribal organization. It highlights the **Sovereignty of God** working through patriarchal declarations, as Jacob's words, inspired by God, shape the future of the nation. The emphasis on "inheritance" and "name" reinforces the theme of **Covenant Fulfillment**, as God's promises to Abraham regarding numerous descendants and a promised land (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise to Abram")) are being systematically fulfilled and organized. Furthermore, it speaks to the **Significance of Lineage and Identity** in ancient Israel, where one's tribal affiliation was central to their place within the community and their claim to the ancestral land, as seen throughout the narrative of the twelve tribes, from [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Jacob's Blessings on His Sons") to the detailed genealogies in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "The Census of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Issue (Hebrew, _môwledeth'_):** This word refers to "nativity," "lineage," "offspring," or "family." In this context, it specifically denotes any future children or descendants born to Joseph after Ephraim and Manasseh. It emphasizes the biological connection and the continuity of Joseph's line, even as their tribal identity would be subsumed under their elder brothers.
* **Begettest (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to bear young" or, causatively, "to beget." This word highlights Joseph's role as the father of these future children. The active voice "thou begettest" underscores the direct paternal relationship, even as Jacob's decree determines their tribal affiliation.
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** This term signifies "something inherited," "occupancy," "an heirloom," or generally "an estate, patrimony, or portion." In the context of Israel, it refers to the specific land allocation given to each tribe. The verse clarifies that future offspring would receive their portion not as new, independent tribes, but as part of the established inheritance of Ephraim and Manasseh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine,"**: This clause acknowledges that any children Joseph fathers subsequent to Ephraim and Manasseh are indeed his biological offspring and belong to his direct lineage. The phrase "shall be thine" affirms his paternal rights and connection to these future descendants, even as their tribal designation is altered. It sets up the distinction between biological lineage and tribal identity.
* **"[and] shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance."**: This is the crucial stipulation of the verse. It means that these future children of Joseph will not form new, distinct tribes with their own names and land portions. Instead, they will be identified with, and absorbed into, the existing tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Their "inheritance" (their share of the land) would come through these two established tribes, ensuring that the twelve-tribe framework remains intact and preventing the proliferation of new tribal units from Joseph's line. This highlights the importance of the "name" as a marker of identity and belonging within the tribal structure.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Legal Language** and **Figurative Language**. The precise and prescriptive nature of Jacob's declaration, particularly regarding "inheritance" and being "called after the name," functions as a legal pronouncement, establishing a binding decree for the future tribal structure of Israel. It sets a clear precedent for how Joseph's lineage will be integrated into the nation. Furthermore, the phrase "shall be called after the name of their brethren" utilizes **Figurative Language** (specifically, a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**), where "name" stands in for the entire identity, tribal affiliation, and inheritance. It signifies not just a nominal association but a complete absorption and identification with the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, rather than the establishment of new, independent entities. This concise phrasing effectively conveys a complex socio-legal arrangement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 48:6, while seemingly a minor administrative detail, profoundly reflects God's overarching plan for order and structure within His chosen people. It underscores the divine wisdom in establishing a defined framework for the nation of Israel, ensuring stability, preventing fragmentation, and preparing for the orderly distribution of the promised land. This meticulous attention to lineage and tribal identity is not merely genealogical but theological, as it underpins the covenant promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning a numerous people and a specific inheritance. Jacob's prophetic declaration, guided by divine inspiration, demonstrates how God works through human leaders to establish the future course of His people, ensuring that their growth is both abundant and organized, aligning with His grand design for their flourishing and their role in redemptive history.

* [Numbers 26:28-37](/numbers/26-28-37 "The Clans of Manasseh and Ephraim")
* [Joshua 17:1-18](/joshua/17-1-18 "The Allotment for Manasseh")
* [Deuteronomy 33:13-17](/deuteronomy/33-13-17 "Moses' Blessing on Joseph")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 48:6, though rooted in ancient tribal dynamics, offers profound insights into the importance of order, identity, and legacy within any community, especially the community of faith. Jacob's careful planning for his descendants, guided by divine foresight, reminds us that God is a God of order, not chaos. For believers today, this passage encourages us to value established structures, whether in our families, churches, or organizations, recognizing that clear boundaries and defined roles contribute to stability and long-term flourishing. It highlights the significance of our spiritual inheritance and identity in Christ, which is not a random acquisition but a meticulously planned gift from God. Just as Joseph's future children were absorbed into an existing, blessed lineage, we are adopted into God's family, receiving our inheritance and identity through Christ, not by creating new, independent paths. This verse invites us to consider how we contribute to the orderly growth and continuity of God's kingdom, ensuring that future generations inherit a stable and well-defined spiritual legacy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on "order" and "structure" in this verse reflect God's character and His dealings with humanity?**
* **In what ways do we, as believers, "inherit" our identity and spiritual portion through Christ, similar to how Joseph's future children would be "called after the name of their brethren"?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Jacob's foresight in planning for the future of his descendants, and how can we apply this to our own lives and communities?**

### FAQ

**Why was it important that Joseph's future children not form new tribes?**

Answer: It was crucial for maintaining the divinely intended and established structure of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob's adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh in [Genesis 48:5](/genesis/48-5 "Jacob Adopts Ephraim and Manasseh") already granted Joseph a "double portion" through his two sons becoming full, independent tribes. Allowing further children to form new tribes would have disrupted this foundational twelve-tribe framework, potentially leading to confusion regarding inheritance, land distribution, and identity within the burgeoning nation. This careful arrangement ensured clarity and stability for future generations, aligning with God's orderly plan for His people.

**Does this verse imply that Jacob had the authority to alter the tribal structure of Israel?**

Answer: Yes, as the patriarch, Jacob exercised significant authority, but his actions were understood to be under divine inspiration and guidance. His blessings and declarations carried prophetic weight, shaping the future of his descendants in alignment with God's overarching plan for Israel. This specific arrangement for Joseph's lineage was part of God's design for the orderly formation of His chosen people, demonstrating His sovereignty working through human agency to establish the nation's foundational structure. The patriarchs were conduits of God's will, and their pronouncements had lasting impact on the covenant community (e.g., [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Jacob's Blessings")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 48:6 primarily addresses the administrative and genealogical structure of ancient Israel, its underlying principles subtly point towards the meticulous nature of God's redemptive plan, culminating in Christ. The careful preservation of lineage and tribal identity, particularly through the line of Jacob, was essential for the eventual arrival of the Messiah, whose own human ancestry is meticulously traced through these very tribal structures (e.g., [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "The Genealogy of Jesus")). Just as Joseph's future descendants were to be absorbed into the identity and inheritance of their brethren, believers in Christ are "grafted in" (as described in [Romans 11:17](/romans/11-17 "The Root and the Branches")) to the spiritual lineage of Abraham, receiving a new identity and an eternal inheritance not through physical descent or tribal affiliation, but through faith in Jesus. Christ is the ultimate heir to all the promises made to the patriarchs (e.g., [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise to Abraham and His Seed")), and through Him, we become "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" (as found in [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")), receiving a spiritual inheritance far surpassing any earthly portion. This verse, therefore, foreshadows the spiritual adoption and the unified, Christ-centered identity that defines God's people in the new covenant.

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

Joshua 14:4

For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell [in], with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.