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Genesis 48:9 Joseph said to his father, "They are the sons God has given me in this place." So Jacob said, "Please bring them to me, that I may bless them."
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Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/48.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Yes,” Joseph told him, “these are the sons God has given me here in Egypt.” And Jacob said, “Bring them closer to me, so I can bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/48.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/48.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “They are the sons God has given me in this place.” So Jacob said, “Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/48.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph said unto his father, They <i>are</i> my sons, whom God hath given me in this <i>place</i>. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/48.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “They <i>are</i> my sons, whom God has given me in this <i>place.</i>” And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/48.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” So he said, “Bring them to me, please, so that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/48.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” So he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/48.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” So he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/48.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” So he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/48.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here [in Egypt].” So he said, “Please bring them to me, so that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/48.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons God has given me here.” So Israel said, “Bring them to me and I will bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/48.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons God has given me here.” So Jacob said, “Bring them to me and I will bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/48.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me here. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/48.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me here. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/48.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"They are my sons, whom God has given me here in Egypt," Joseph answered his father. Then Israel said, "Please bring them to me so that I may bless them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/48.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Joseph answered, "These are my sons, whom God has given me here in Egypt." Jacob said, "Bring them to me so that I may bless them." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/48.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"These are my sons," Joseph replied. "God gave them to me here in Egypt." "Please bring them close to me," Jacob said, "so I can bless them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/48.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, ?They are the sons God has given me in this place.? So Jacob said, ?Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/48.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, "They are the sons God has given me in this place." His father said, "Bring them to me so I may bless them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/48.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here." And he said, "Please bring them to me, so that I can bless them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/48.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, to me, and I will bless them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/48.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” He said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/48.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph says to his father, “They [are] my sons, whom God has given to me in this [place]”; and he says, “Please bring them to me, and I bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/48.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Joseph saith unto his father, 'They are my sons, whom God hath given to me in this place;' and he saith, 'Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I bless them.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/48.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph will say to his father, They are my sons which God gave me here. And he will say, Bring them now to me, and I will bless them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/48.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He answered: They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said: Bring them to me that I may bless them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/48.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He responded, “They are my sons, whom God gave to me as a gift in this place.” “Bring them to me,” he said, “so that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/48.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“They are my sons,” Joseph answered his father, “whom God has given me here.” “Bring them to me,” said his father, “that I may bless them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/48.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/48.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons whom God has given me in this place. And he said, Bring them near me, and I will bless them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/48.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yoseph said to his father, “They are my sons whom God gave to me here”; and he said, “Bring them to me and I shall bless them.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/48.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Joseph said unto his father: 'They are my sons, whom God hath given me here.' And he said: 'Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/48.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God gave me here; and Jacob said, Bring me them, that I may bless them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/48-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=12633" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/48.htm">Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?” <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">“They</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bā·nay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">are the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯan- (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">has given</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: bā·zeh (Prep-b:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">in this place.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">So Jacob said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">“Please</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qā·ḥem- (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">bring them</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: wa·’ă·ḇā·ră·ḵêm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjImperf.h-1cs:: 3mp) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">that I may bless them.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">Genesis 41:51-52</a></span><br />Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” / And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-20.htm">Genesis 46:20</a></span><br />Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">Genesis 50:23</a></span><br />He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-6.htm">Genesis 17:6-8</a></span><br />I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you. / I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. / And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11-12</a></span><br />And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you. / The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13-14</a></span><br />And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a></span><br />I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-1.htm">Exodus 1:1-5</a></span><br />These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: / Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; / Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/14-4.htm">Joshua 14:4</a></span><br />The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1-2</a></span><br />These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. / And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21</a></span><br />By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-14.htm">Acts 7:14-15</a></span><br />Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all. / So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-13</a></span><br />Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a></span><br />The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-2.htm">Matthew 1:2</a></span><br />Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray you, to me, and I will bless them.</p><p class="hdg">my sons.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-2.htm">Genesis 30:2</a></b></br> And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, <i>Am</i> I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/33-5.htm">Genesis 33:5</a></b></br> And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who <i>are</i> those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ruth/4-11.htm">Ruth 4:11-14</a></b></br> And all the people that <i>were</i> in the gate, and the elders, said, <i>We are</i> witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: … </p><p class="hdg">bless them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-4.htm">Genesis 27:4,28,29,34-40</a></b></br> And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring <i>it</i> to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Genesis 28:3,4</a></b></br> And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-28.htm">Genesis 49:28</a></b></br> All these <i>are</i> the twelve tribes of Israel: and this <i>is it</i> that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/32-26.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/genesis/48-3.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/48-8.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/48-8.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/47-29.htm">Please</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/48-10.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/48-10.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/50-4.htm">Please</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 48</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/48-1.htm">Joseph with his sons visits his sick father.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/48-2.htm">Jacob strengthens himself to bless them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/48-3.htm">He repeats God's promise.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">He takes Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/48-7.htm">He tells Joseph of his mother's grave.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/48-8.htm">He blesses Ephraim and Manasseh.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">He prefers the younger before the elder.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/48-21.htm">He prophesies their return to Canaan.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/48.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/48.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Joseph said to his father,</b><br>This phrase highlights the relationship between Joseph and his father, Jacob. Joseph, once sold into slavery by his brothers, has risen to a position of power in Egypt. Despite his high status, he maintains respect and honor towards his father, reflecting the biblical principle of honoring one's parents (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>). This interaction occurs in Egypt, where Joseph has been living for many years, separated from his family.<p><b>“They are the sons God has given me in this place.”</b><br>Joseph acknowledges God's providence in his life, attributing the birth of his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to divine blessing. This reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even in foreign lands. The phrase "in this place" underscores Joseph's recognition of God's blessings despite his circumstances in Egypt, a land of exile. This mirrors the broader biblical narrative of God blessing His people in unexpected places, as seen with the Israelites in Babylon (<a href="/jeremiah/29-4.htm">Jeremiah 29:4-7</a>).<p><b>So Jacob said,</b><br>Jacob, also known as Israel, is the patriarch of the Israelite nation. His response to Joseph's introduction of his sons is significant, as it sets the stage for the blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob's role as a patriarch involves passing on the covenantal blessings he received from God, which were first given to Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>).<p><b>“Please bring them to me,</b><br>Jacob's request to bring the sons closer indicates his intention to formally bless them. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, blessings from a patriarch were highly significant, often involving prophetic declarations about the future. This act of blessing is not merely a familial gesture but a spiritual and covenantal one, carrying implications for the future of the tribes of Israel.<p><b>that I may bless them.”</b><br>The blessing Jacob intends to give is more than a simple wish for well-being; it is a prophetic act that will have lasting implications for the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh. This blessing is reminiscent of the blessings given by Isaac to Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27), and it foreshadows the blessings Moses will later pronounce over the tribes of Israel (Deuteronomy 33). The act of blessing also points to the greater blessing found in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promises made to Abraham and his descendants (<a href="/galatians/3-14.htm">Galatians 3:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The son of Jacob and Rachel, who rose to prominence in Egypt. He is presenting his sons to his father, Jacob, for a blessing.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, father of Joseph, and grandfather to Ephraim and Manasseh. He is preparing to bless Joseph's sons.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephraim_and_manasseh.htm">Ephraim and Manasseh</a></b><br>The sons of Joseph, born in Egypt. They are about to receive a blessing from their grandfather, Jacob.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where Joseph has been living and where his sons were born. It represents a place of both refuge and foreign influence for the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/blessing.htm">Blessing</a></b><br>A significant event in biblical tradition, where a patriarch imparts a spiritual and prophetic blessing to his descendants.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_blessings.htm">The Importance of Blessings</a></b><br>In biblical times, blessings were not just well-wishes but carried prophetic and spiritual significance. They were a means of passing on God's promises and favor to future generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_family.htm">God's Sovereignty in Family</a></b><br>Joseph acknowledges that his sons are a gift from God, reminding us that our families are entrusted to us by God and should be nurtured in His ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_across_generations.htm">Faith Across Generations</a></b><br>Jacob's act of blessing his grandsons demonstrates the importance of passing down faith and spiritual heritage to the next generation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_in_a_foreign_land.htm">Identity in a Foreign Land</a></b><br>Ephraim and Manasseh were born in Egypt, yet they are claimed as part of the Israelite heritage. This teaches us about maintaining our spiritual identity even when surrounded by a foreign culture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_grandparents.htm">The Role of Grandparents</a></b><br>Jacob's blessing of his grandsons highlights the influential role grandparents can play in the spiritual lives of their grandchildren.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_48.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 48</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_the_tribe_of_manasseh_important.htm">What is the significance of the Tribe of Manasseh?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_favor_ephraim_over_manasseh.htm">Genesis 48:17-19 - Why would God supposedly favor Ephraim over Manasseh despite established primogeniture traditions, and is there any extrabiblical data supporting this choice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jacob_adopt_joseph's_sons.htm">Genesis 48:5 - Why does Jacob adopt Joseph's sons as his own, and does this practice have any verifiable historical precedent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_hate_esau_from_birth.htm">Romans 9:13: How can a loving God claim to hate Esau from birth?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/48.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons</span> (of whom you have just spoken), <span class="cmt_word">whom God hath given me in this place.</span> It speaks highly in Joseph's favor that, after listening to Jacob s promise regarding Ephraim and Manasseh, he did not seek to draw his aged father's attention to the young men before him, but quietly waited for Jacob to take the initiative in any further communications of a personal nature that he might wish to address to them. And he (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> Jacob) said Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/48-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Joseph</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵף֙</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his father,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“They</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּנַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bā·nay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has given</span><br /><span class="heb">נָֽתַן־</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṯan-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">in this [place].”</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּזֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(bā·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So Jacob said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמַ֕ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Please</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bring them</span><br /><span class="heb">קָֽחֶם־</span> <span class="translit">(qā·ḥem-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I may bless [them].”</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲבָרֲכֵֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·ḇā·ră·ḵêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/48-9.htm">Genesis 48:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/48-9.htm">OT Law: Genesis 48:9 Joseph said to his father They (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/48-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 48:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/48-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 48:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>