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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 48:18 "Not so, my father!" Joseph said. "This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/48-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/01_Gen_48_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 48:18 - Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Not so, my father! Joseph said. 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Put your right hand on his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/48.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/48.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”<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, Not so, my father: for this <i>is</i> the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/48.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this <i>one is</i> the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”<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, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.”<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, &#8220Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.&#8221<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, “Not so, my father, for this one is the first-born. Place your right hand on his head.”<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, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.”<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, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn; place your right hand on Manasseh’s head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/48.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, “Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/48.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to his father, &#8220Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.&#8221 <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, Not so, my father; for this is the first-born; put thy right hand upon his head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/48.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Joseph said, "Father, you have made a mistake. This is the older boy. Put your right hand on him." <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, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/48.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then he said to his father, "That's not right, Father! This is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/48.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He said to his father, "Not that way, father. This is the older boy; put your right hand on his head." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/48.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"No, father, this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/48.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Not so, my father!? Joseph said. ?This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.?<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, "Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head." <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, "Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head."<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, Not so, my father; for this is the first-born; put thy right hand upon his head.<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, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” <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, “Not so, my father, for this [is] the firstborn; set your right hand on his head.”<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, 'Not so, my father, for this is the first-born; set thy right hand on his head.'<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, Not so, my father: for this is the first-born; put thy right hand upon his head.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/48.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said to his father: It should not be so, my father: for this is the first- born, put thy right hand upon his head. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/48.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to his father: “It should not have come to pass this way, father. For this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand over his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/48.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />saying, “That is not right, father; the other one is the firstborn; lay your right hand on his head!”<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, “Not so, my father! Since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.”<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, Not so, my father; for this is the first-born; put your right hand upon his head.<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, “It is not in this way, my father, but this is the first born; lay your right hand on his head.”<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: 'Not so, my father, for this is the first-born; put thy right hand upon his head.'<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, Not so, father; for this is the first-born; lay thy right-hand upon his head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/48-18.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=12731" 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">17</span>When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: ḵên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">so,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">my father!”</a> <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. "></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)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">This</a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: hab·bə·ḵōr (Art:: N-ms) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">one is the firstborn;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śîm (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">put</a> <a href="/hebrew/3225.htm" title="3225: yə·mî·nə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Right hand. From yaman; the right hand or side of a person or other object; locally, the south.">your right hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rō·šōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">his head.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”…<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/27-18.htm">Genesis 27:18-29</a></span><br />So Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.” “Here I am!” he answered. “Which one are you, my son?” / Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may bless me.” / But Isaac asked his son, “How did you ever find it so quickly, my son?” “Because the LORD your God brought it to me,” he replied. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a></span><br />and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Genesis 37:3</a></span><br />Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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/49-3.htm">Genesis 49:3-4</a></span><br />Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. / Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Deuteronomy 21:15-17</a></span><br />If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.<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="/1_samuel/16-6.htm">1 Samuel 16:6-13</a></span><br />When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” / But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” / Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-15.htm">1 Kings 2:15</a></span><br />“You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">Psalm 78:67-68</a></span><br />He rejected the tent of Joseph and refused the tribe of Ephraim. / But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Romans 9:10-13</a></span><br />Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ...<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="/matthew/19-30.htm">Matthew 19:30</a></span><br />But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-16.htm">Matthew 20:16</a></span><br />So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-30.htm">Luke 13:30</a></span><br />And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”</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, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.</p><p class="hdg">Not so.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-18.htm">Genesis 19:18</a></b></br> And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/10-11.htm">Exodus 10:11</a></b></br> Not so: go now ye <i>that are</i> men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/25-9.htm">Matthew 25:9</a></b></br> But the wise answered, saying, <i>Not so</i>; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.</p><p class="hdg">for this.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-15.htm">Genesis 27:15</a></b></br> And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which <i>were</i> with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-26.htm">Genesis 29:26</a></b></br> And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33</a></b></br> And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Head</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/29-26.htm">Older</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Right</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/49-26.htm">Head</a> <a href="/genesis/48-21.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/exodus/2-10.htm">Older</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Right</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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>Not so, my father!</b><br>Joseph's response to his father Jacob's blessing of his sons is immediate and respectful, yet firm. This reflects the cultural importance of the firstborn's rights in ancient Near Eastern societies, where the firstborn son traditionally received a double portion of the inheritance and a special blessing. Joseph's objection indicates his understanding of these customs and his desire to see them upheld.<p><b>Joseph said.</b><br>Joseph, a key figure in the Genesis narrative, is speaking here. His life story, from favored son to Egyptian ruler, is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. Joseph's words carry weight, as he is not only a son but also a powerful leader in Egypt. His intervention in the blessing process shows his active role in his family's spiritual and cultural heritage.<p><b>This one is the firstborn;</b><br>Joseph refers to Manasseh, his elder son, emphasizing the traditional significance of the firstborn. The firstborn's status is a recurring theme in Genesis, seen in the stories of Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, and Esau and Jacob. This highlights the tension between human customs and divine choice, as God often subverts human expectations to fulfill His purposes.<p><b>put your right hand on his head.</b><br>The right hand symbolizes power, authority, and blessing throughout the Bible. In the context of blessings, the right hand is often associated with the greater blessing or favor. Joseph's insistence on placing Jacob's right hand on Manasseh's head underscores his desire for the traditional blessing order. However, Jacob's choice to bless Ephraim, the younger, with his right hand reflects God's sovereign will, which often transcends human traditions and expectations. This act foreshadows the biblical theme of the last being first, seen in the lives of David, Solomon, and ultimately Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.<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, Joseph is a key figure in Genesis, known for his rise to power in Egypt and his role in saving his family during a famine. In this passage, he is advocating for the traditional blessing of the firstborn.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a></b><br>The father of Joseph and the patriarch of the Israelite tribes. In this chapter, he is blessing Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, reversing the expected order of blessing.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephraim_and_manasseh.htm">Ephraim and Manasseh</a></b><br>The sons of Joseph and Asenath, born in Egypt. Jacob's blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh is significant as it defies the cultural norm of the firstborn receiving the primary blessing.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where Joseph rose to power and where Jacob's family resided during the famine. It serves as the backdrop for this blessing event.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_right_hand.htm">The Right Hand</a></b><br>Symbolically, the right hand represents power, authority, and blessing. Jacob's choice to place his right hand on Ephraim's head is a deliberate act of divine preference.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_choice.htm">God's Sovereignty in Choice</a></b><br>God's plans often defy human expectations and cultural norms. Trust in His wisdom and timing, even when it challenges our understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_family_leadership.htm">The Role of Faith in Family Leadership</a></b><br>Like Jacob, parents and leaders should seek God's guidance in blessing and leading their families, prioritizing spiritual discernment over tradition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_heritage.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Heritage</a></b><br>Jacob's blessing emphasizes the transmission of faith and God's promises to future generations. Consider how you are passing on your spiritual heritage.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_true_blessing.htm">Understanding True Blessing</a></b><br>True blessing is not about position or birthright but about God's purpose and calling. Reflect on how you define and seek blessings in your life.<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/is_everything_a_source_of_joy.htm">Who were the 12 tribes of Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/genesis_48_14_-_why_did_jacob_cross_hands.htm">Genesis 48:14 - How can Jacob's crossing of his hands and reversing birth order be reconciled with typical ancient customs?</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/names_and_meanings_of_israel's_tribes.htm">What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?</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 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head</span>. "From Joseph's behavior we cannot certainly infer that, like Isaac, he loved the firstborn better than the youngest; but he was sorry that an honor was not given to the eldest which he would naturally expect, and bestowed on the youngest, who did not expect it, and who would not have been hurt by the want of it" (Lawson). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/48-18.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">“Not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so,</span><br /><span class="heb">כֵ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(ḵên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> </span><span class="str2">So -- thus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my father!”</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common 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">Joseph</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֛ף</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">וַיֹּ֧אמֶר</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">“This</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">one is the firstborn;</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּכֹ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·ḵōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firstborn, chief</span><br /><br /><span class="word">put</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(śîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your right hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יְמִינְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(yə·mî·nə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3225.htm">Strong's 3225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right hand, side, the south</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his head.”</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(rō·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/48-18.htm">Genesis 48:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/48-18.htm">OT Law: Genesis 48:18 Joseph said to his father Not so (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/48-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 48:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/48-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 48:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:19" /></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>