Genesis 48:19-21
New English Translation
19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a nation and he too will become great. In spite of this, his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will become a multitude[a] of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day, saying,
“By you[b] will Israel bless,[c] saying,
‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’”
Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.[d]
21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you[e] and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Genesis 48:19 tn Heb “fullness.”
- Genesis 48:20 tn The pronoun is singular in the Hebrew text, apparently elevating Ephraim as the more prominent of the two. Note, however, that both are named in the blessing formula that follows.
- Genesis 48:20 tn Or “pronounce a blessing.”
- Genesis 48:20 sn On the elevation of Ephraim over Manasseh see E. C. Kingsbury, “He Set Ephraim Before Manasseh,” HUCA 38 (1967): 129-36; H. Mowvley, “The Concept and Content of ‘Blessing’ in the Old Testament,” BT 16 (1965): 74-80; and I. Mendelsohn, “On the Preferential Status of the Eldest Son,” BASOR 156 (1959): 38-40.
- Genesis 48:21 tn The pronouns translated “you,” “you,” and “your” in this verse are plural in the Hebrew text.
Genesis 48:19-21
New International Version
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)
Footnotes
- Genesis 48:20 The Hebrew is singular.
- Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.
- Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.
- Genesis 48:21 The Hebrew is plural.
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