Add parallel Print Page Options

19 But his father said, “Son, I know what I am doing. It's true that Manasseh's family will someday become a great nation. But Ephraim will be even greater than Manasseh, because his descendants will become many great nations.”

20 (A) Jacob told him that in the future the people of Israel would ask God's blessings on one another by saying, “I pray for God to bless you as much as he blessed Ephraim and Manasseh.” Jacob put Ephraim's name first to show that he would be greater than Manasseh. 21 After that, Jacob said, “Joseph, you can see that I won't live much longer. But God will be with you and will lead you back to the land he promised our family long ago.

Read full chapter

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

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

So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you[b](J) and take you[c] back to the land of your[d] fathers.(K)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 48:20 The Hebrew is singular.
  2. Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.
  3. Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.
  4. Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.