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18 “No, father, this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.”

19 But his father refused. “I know,” he said. “I know. He’s going to produce a large nation, and he’s going to be very great. However, his younger brother will become even greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.”

20 That very day, Jacob[a] blessed them with this blessing:[b]

“By you Israel will extend this blessing:
    ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!’”

By doing this, he placed Ephraim before Manasseh.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 48:20 Lit. he
  2. Genesis 48:20 The Heb. lacks with this blessing

18 Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”(A)

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.(B) Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he,(C) and his descendants will become a group of nations.(D) 20 He blessed(E) them that day(F) and said,

“In your[a] name will Israel(G) pronounce this blessing:(H)
    ‘May God make you like Ephraim(I) and Manasseh.(J)’”

So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 48:20 The Hebrew is singular.