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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.

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look at me; I am about to die. But God will be with you and will take you back to the land of your fathers.

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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)

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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.