Genesis 48:17-20
Expanded Bible
17 When Joseph saw that his father put his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he ·didn’t like it [L thought it was wrong]. So he took hold of his father’s hand, wanting to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, “·You are doing it wrong, Father, since Manasseh [L No, my Father, for this] is the firstborn son. Put your right hand on his head.”
19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. Manasseh will be great and ·have many descendants [L become great]. But his younger brother will be greater, and his ·descendants [L seed] will ·be enough to make a nation [L become the fullness of nations; C Ephraim would become the dominant tribe in northern Israel].”
20 So ·Israel [L he] blessed them that day and said,
“When a blessing is given in Israel, they will say:
‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ ”
In this way he ·made Ephraim greater than [L set Ephraim before] Manasseh.
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Genesis 48:17-20
New International Version
17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand(A) on Ephraim’s head(B) he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”(C)
19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great.(D) Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he,(E) and his descendants will become a group of nations.(F)” 20 He blessed(G) them that day(H) and said,
“In your[a] name will Israel(I) pronounce this blessing:(J)
‘May God make you like Ephraim(K) and Manasseh.(L)’”
So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
Footnotes
- Genesis 48:20 The Hebrew is singular.
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