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.

And Joseph {H3130} saw {H7200} Ephraim's {H669} children {H1121} of the third {H8029} generation: the children {H1121} also of Machir {H4353} the son {H1121} of Manasseh {H4519} were brought up {H3205} upon Joseph's {H3130} knees {H1290}.

Yosef lived to see Efrayim's great-grandchildren, and the children of M'nasheh's son Makhir were born on Yosef's knees.

He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees.

And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph’s knees.

Commentary

Genesis 50:23 marks a poignant moment in the life of Joseph, illustrating the fulfillment of God's promises of fruitfulness and longevity to the patriarchs. This verse showcases Joseph's blessed old age and the flourishing of his family line within Egypt.

Context

This verse appears at the very end of the Book of Genesis, shortly before Joseph's death. Having been sold into slavery and subsequently rising to become the second most powerful man in Egypt, Joseph's life is a testament to God's providence. After reconciling with his brothers and bringing his entire family to Egypt during a severe famine, Joseph lives to see the prosperity of his descendants. His father Jacob had previously elevated Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to the status of his own sons, ensuring they would each head a tribe of Israel (Genesis 48:5). This verse underscores the continuation of God's covenant promises through the growing family of Israel, even while they resided in a foreign land.

Key Themes

  • Generational Blessing and Longevity: Joseph's ability to see his great-grandchildren (Ephraim's children of the third generation) was considered a profound blessing and a sign of a long, prosperous life in ancient Near Eastern culture. It signifies God's favor and faithfulness to his servant.
  • Family Continuity: The verse emphasizes the rapid growth and expansion of the Israelite family in Egypt, despite their enslaved status later on. This reflects God's promise to make Abraham's descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5).
  • Patriarchal Acceptance and Care: The phrase "brought up upon Joseph's knees" for the children of Machir (Manasseh's son) is a significant cultural idiom. It implies that Joseph formally acknowledged, adopted, or personally cared for these children, bestowing upon them his blessing and legitimizing their place within the family line. It suggests a deep bond and a patriarchal blessing, similar to how a grandparent might nurture their grandchildren.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "brought up upon Joseph's knees" (KJV) is a vivid idiomatic expression. In Hebrew, the phrase "yullĕdû ʿal birkê Yôsēf" (ילדו על ברכי יוסף) literally means "were born upon Joseph's knees" or "were brought forth upon Joseph's knees." This was a symbolic act, often associated with a father or patriarch acknowledging paternity, formally adopting children, or taking them under his direct care and blessing. It signifies legitimacy and inclusion into the family, highlighting Joseph's joy and authority over his lineage.

Practical Application

Genesis 50:23 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • God's Faithfulness Across Generations: It reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, even when their full realization takes many years or spans multiple generations. Joseph's life, from pit to palace, and finally to seeing his great-grandchildren, testifies to God's enduring plan and care.
  • The Value of Family and Legacy: The verse highlights the importance of family and the joy of seeing one's legacy continue. It encourages us to invest in future generations, passing on faith and values.
  • Hope in God's Providence: Even in difficult circumstances (like the Israelites' eventual slavery in Egypt), God's plan for His people continues to unfold. Joseph's long life and flourishing family were a testament to God's ongoing work, offering a glimpse of future deliverance and the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel (Genesis 50:25).
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 32:39 (6 votes)

    And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which [was] in it.

  • Genesis 30:3 (5 votes)

    And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.

  • Job 42:16 (5 votes)

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

  • Joshua 17:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he [was] the firstborn of Joseph; [to wit], for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.

  • Genesis 48:19 (3 votes)

    And his father refused, and said, I know [it], my son, I know [it]: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

  • Psalms 128:6 (3 votes)

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

  • Numbers 32:33 (3 votes)

    And Moses gave unto them, [even] to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, [even] the cities of the country round about.