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They will say, ‘May God make you as prosperous as Ephraim and Manasseh.’” In this way, Jacob put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. <a href="/esv/genesis/48.htm">English Standard Version</a> So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’” Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/bsb/genesis/48.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/kjv/genesis/48.htm">King James Bible</a> And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/48.htm">New King James Version</a> So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!’ ” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/48.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!’” And so he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/nasb/genesis/48.htm">NASB 1995</a> He blessed them that day, saying, &#8220By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, &#8216May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!&#8217&#8221 Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/48.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel shall pronounce blessing, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!’”<PR>Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/lsb/genesis/48.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!’” Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/amp/genesis/48.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Jacob blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will pronounce a blessing, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” And he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/csb/genesis/48.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So he blessed them that day, putting Ephraim before Manasseh when he said, “The nation Israel will invoke blessings by you, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ ” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/48.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So he blessed them that day with these words: The nation Israel will invoke blessings by you, saying,&#8221 May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh,&#8221 putting Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/asv/genesis/48.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee will Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/cev/genesis/48.htm">Contemporary English Version</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. <a href="/erv/genesis/48.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/gwt/genesis/48.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> That day he blessed them. He said, "Because of you, Israel will speak this blessing, 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!' " In this way Israel put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. <a href="/gnt/genesis/48.htm">Good News Translation</a> So he blessed them that day, saying, "The Israelites will use your names when they pronounce blessings. They will say, 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'" In this way Jacob put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/isv/genesis/48.htm">International Standard Version</a> That very day, Jacob blessed them with this blessing: "By you Israel will extend this blessing: 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!'" By doing this, he placed Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/msb/genesis/48.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So that day Jacob blessed them and said: ?By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ?May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.?? So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/net/genesis/48.htm">NET Bible</a> So he blessed them that day, saying, "By you will Israel bless, saying, 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'" So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/nheb/genesis/48.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So he blessed them that day, saying, "By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, ?God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh?" Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/wbt/genesis/48.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/web/genesis/48.htm">World English Bible</a> He blessed them that day, saying, “Israel will bless in you, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’” He set Ephraim before Manasseh. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/48.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he blesses them in that day, saying, “By you does Israel bless, saying, God set you as Ephraim and as Manasseh”; and he sets Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/ylt/genesis/48.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he blesseth them in that day, saying, 'By thee doth Israel bless, saying, God set thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh;' and he setteth Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/slt/genesis/48.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will bless them in that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, Will God set thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he will set Ephraim before Manasseh.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/48.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he blessed them at that time, saying: In thee shall Israel be blessed, and it shall be said: God do to thee as to Ephraim, and as to Manasses. And he set Ephraim before Manasses. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/48.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he blessed them at that time, saying: “In you, Israel will be blessed, and it will be said: ‘May God treat you like Ephraim, and like Manasseh.’ ” And he established Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/nabre/genesis/48.htm">New American Bible</a> So he blessed them that day and said, “By you shall the people of Israel pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ ” Thus he placed Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/48.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will invoke blessings, saying, ‘God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/48.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he blessed them that day, saying, By you shall Israel bless, and they shall say, May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh; and thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/48.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he blessed them that day and he said, “In you Israel shall be blessed and they will say, ‘God make you as Aphreim and like Manassheh’”, and he put Aphreim before Menasheh.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/48.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he blessed them that day, saying: 'By thee shall Israel bless, saying: God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh.' And he set Ephraim before Manasseh. <a href="/sep/genesis/48.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he blessed them in that day, saying, In you shall Israel be blessed, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and Manasse; and he set Ephraim before Manasse. <a href="/parallel/genesis/48-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=12756" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/48.htm">Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh</a> …19But 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.” 20<a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">So that day</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: way·ḇā·ră·ḵêm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">Jacob blessed</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said:</a> <a href="/hebrew/bə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">“By you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">shall Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mō·wr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">pronounce</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: yə·ḇā·rêḵ (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">this blessing:</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">‘May God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: yə·śim·ḵā (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 2ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">make</a> <a href="/hebrew/669.htm" title="669: kə·’ep̄·ra·yim (Prep-k:: N-proper-ms) -- Dual of masculine form of 'Ephraath; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">you like Ephraim</a> <a href="/hebrew/4519.htm" title="4519: wə·ḵim·naš·šeh (Conj-w, Prep-k:: N-proper-ms) -- From nashah; causing to forget; Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">and Manasseh.’”</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: way·yā·śem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">So he put</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/669.htm" title="669: ’ep̄·ra·yim (N-proper-ms) -- Dual of masculine form of 'Ephraath; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">Ephraim</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/4519.htm" title="4519: mə·naš·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- From nashah; causing to forget; Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">Manasseh.</a> 21Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a> 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.” <a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a> 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. <a href="/numbers/6-23.htm">Numbers 6:23-27</a> “Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: / ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; / may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; ... <a href="/deuteronomy/33-17.htm">Deuteronomy 33:17</a> His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.” <a href="/joshua/17-17.htm">Joshua 17:17-18</a> So Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment, / because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out.” <a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1-2</a> 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. <a href="/psalms/67-1.htm">Psalm 67:1-2</a> For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah / that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. <a href="/isaiah/19-24.htm">Isaiah 19:24-25</a> In that day Israel will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing upon the earth. / The LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.” <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Jeremiah 31:9</a> They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” <a href="/ezekiel/37-19.htm">Ezekiel 37:19</a> you are to tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel associated with him, and I will put them together with the stick of Judah. I will make them into a single stick, and they will become one in My hand.’ <a href="/matthew/19-13.htm">Matthew 19:13-15</a> Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them. / But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” / And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there. <a href="/luke/2-34.htm">Luke 2:34</a> Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, <a href="/acts/3-25.htm">Acts 3:25-26</a> And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ / When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-13</a> 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.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he blessed them that day, saying, In you shall Israel bless, saying, God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.Israel bless.<a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Genesis 24:60</a> And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.<a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Genesis 28:3</a> And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;<a href="/ruth/4-11.htm">Ruth 4:11,12</a> And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are 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: … and he set.<a href="/numbers/2-18.htm">Numbers 2:18-21</a> On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud… <a href="/numbers/7-48.htm">Numbers 7:48,54</a> On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, offered: … <a href="/numbers/10-22.htm">Numbers 10:22,23</a> And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/46-28.htm">Ahead</a> <a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Blesseth</a> <a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Blessings</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">E'phraim</a> <a href="/1_john/4-3.htm">God</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Manasseh</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Manas'seh</a> <a href="/jude/1-9.htm">Pronounce</a> <a href="/genesis/38-20.htm">Sign</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/2-8.htm">Ahead</a> <a href="/genesis/49-25.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/genesis/49-28.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/genesis/49-25.htm">Blesseth</a> <a href="/genesis/49-28.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/49-25.htm">Blessings</a> <a href="/numbers/1-10.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/numbers/1-10.htm">E'phraim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-20.htm">God</a> <a href="/genesis/48-21.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">Manasseh</a> <a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">Manas'seh</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-4.htm">Pronounce</a> <a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Sign</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 48</div>1. <a href="/genesis/48-1.htm">Joseph with his sons visits his sick father.</a> 2. <a href="/genesis/48-2.htm">Jacob strengthens himself to bless them.</a> 3. <a href="/genesis/48-3.htm">He repeats God's promise.</a> 5. <a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">He takes Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons.</a> 7. <a href="/genesis/48-7.htm">He tells Joseph of his mother's grave.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/48-8.htm">He blesses Ephraim and Manasseh.</a> 17. <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">He prefers the younger before the elder.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/48-21.htm">He prophesies their return to Canaan.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>So that day Jacob blessed them and said: Jacob, also known as Israel, is nearing the end of his life and is imparting blessings upon his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph. This act of blessing is significant in the patriarchal tradition, where blessings often carried prophetic weight and determined the future of the recipients. Jacob's blessing is a continuation of the Abrahamic covenant, emphasizing the importance of family lineage and divine favor.By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: Jacob's words establish a future tradition for the nation of Israel. The blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh becomes a model for future blessings, signifying prosperity and divine favor. This reflects the cultural importance of blessings in ancient Israel, where spoken words held power and were believed to shape reality. The blessing also underscores the unity and identity of the tribes of Israel, as Ephraim and Manasseh would become two of the twelve tribes.‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ This phrase became a traditional blessing for Jewish parents to bestow upon their sons, symbolizing the hope for prosperity, unity, and divine favor. Ephraim and Manasseh were unique in that they were born in Egypt, yet they maintained their identity as part of the people of Israel. This blessing highlights the theme of God's faithfulness and the continuation of His promises, even in foreign lands. It also reflects the reversal of expectations, as Ephraim, the younger, is placed before Manasseh, the elder.So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. Jacob intentionally places Ephraim before Manasseh, despite the cultural norm of the firstborn receiving the primary blessing. This act is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God chooses the younger over the elder, such as Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. It illustrates the theme of divine election and the idea that God's purposes transcend human customs. This reversal also foreshadows the prominence of the tribe of Ephraim in the history of Israel, as it becomes one of the leading tribes in the northern kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a> The patriarch who blesses his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, reversing the traditional order of blessing. 2. <a href="/topical/e/ephraim.htm">Ephraim</a> The younger son of Joseph, who receives the greater blessing from Jacob. 3. <a href="/topical/m/manasseh.htm">Manasseh</a> The elder son of Joseph, who receives a lesser blessing compared to his younger brother. 4. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> The father of Ephraim and Manasseh, who presents his sons to Jacob for a blessing. 5. <a href="/topical/b/blessing_event.htm">Blessing Event</a> A significant moment where Jacob, nearing the end of his life, imparts a prophetic blessing on his grandsons, setting a precedent for future generations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god_in_blessing.htm">The Sovereignty of God in Blessing</a> God's ways often defy human expectations and traditions, as seen in the blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faithful_legacy.htm">The Importance of Faithful Legacy</a> Jacob's blessing set a precedent for future generations, reminding us of the impact of our spiritual legacy. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_god's_promises.htm">The Role of Faith in God's Promises</a> Jacob's act of blessing was an expression of faith in God's promises, encouraging us to trust in God's plans for our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_spiritual_heritage.htm">The Value of Spiritual Heritage</a> The blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh became a model for Israel, highlighting the importance of passing down spiritual values. <a href="/topical/g/god's_grace_in_reversals.htm">God's Grace in Reversals</a> The reversal of the blessing order illustrates God's grace, choosing the unexpected to fulfill His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_48.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 48</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_tribe_of_ephraim.htm">What is the Tribe of Ephraim?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_the_tribe_of_joseph_important.htm">What is the significance of the Tribe of Joseph?</a> <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> <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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/48.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) In thee shall Israel bless.--In conformity with these words, the Israelites to this day use Jacob's formula in blessing their children.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/48.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - And he (i.e. Jacob) blessed them that day, saying, In thee (i.e. in Joseph, who is still identified with his sons) shall Israel (the nation) bless, saying, God (Elohim, the supreme source of all blessing) make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim Before Manasseh - "in the position of his hands, and the terms of the blessing" (Keil). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/48-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So that day בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day [Jacob] blessed וַיְבָ֨רֲכֵ֜ם (way·ḇā·ră·ḵêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse them הַהוּא֮ (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are and said: לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “By you בְּךָ֗ (bə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> shall Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc pronounce לֵאמוֹר֒ (lê·mō·wr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say this blessing: יְבָרֵ֤ךְ (yə·ḇā·rêḵ) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse ‘May God אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative make יְשִֽׂמְךָ֣ (yə·śim·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set you like Ephraim כְּאֶפְרַ֖יִם (kə·’ep̄·ra·yim) Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_669.htm">Strong's 669: </a> Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory and Manasseh.’” וְכִמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה (wə·ḵim·naš·šeh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4519.htm">Strong's 4519: </a> Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites So he put וַיָּ֥שֶׂם (way·yā·śem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set Ephraim אֶפְרַ֖יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_669.htm">Strong's 669: </a> Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory before לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face Manasseh. מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ (mə·naš·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4519.htm">Strong's 4519: </a> Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/48-20.htm">Genesis 48:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/48-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 48:20 He blessed them that day saying (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/48-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 48:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/48-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 48:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:21" /></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>