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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 48:8 When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, "Who are these?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/48-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/01_Gen_48_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 48:8 - Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, Who are these?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/48-7.htm" title="Genesis 48:7">◄</a> Genesis 48:8 <a href="/genesis/48-9.htm" title="Genesis 48:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/48.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/48.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, &#8220Who are these?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/48.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Jacob looked over at the two boys. “Are these your sons?” he asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/48.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/48.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/48.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who <i>are</i> these?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/48.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who <i>are</i> these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/48.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/48.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph&#8217s sons, he said, &#8220Who are these?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/48.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/48.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Israel saw Joseph’s sons and said, “Who are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/48.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When Israel [who was almost blind] saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/48.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/48.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph&#8217s sons, he said, &#8220Who are these?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/48.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/48.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/48.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he asked, "Who are they?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/48.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When Jacob saw Joseph's sons, he asked, "Who are these boys?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/48.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Just then, Israel saw Joseph's sons and asked, "Who are these?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/48.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, ?Who are these??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/48.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he asked, "Who are these?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/48.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Israel saw Joseph?s sons, and said, "Who are these?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/48.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/48.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/48.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Israel sees the sons of Joseph and says, “Who [are] these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/48.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Israel seeth the sons of Joseph, and saith, 'Who are these?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/48.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Israel will see Joseph's sons, and will say, Who are these?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/48.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then seeing his sons, he said to him: Who are these? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/48.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then, seeing his sons, he said to him: “Who are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/48.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he asked, “Who are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/48.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/48.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said to him, Who are these?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/48.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Israel saw the children of Yoseph, and said to him, “Who are these?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/48.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said: 'Who are these?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/48.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And when Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he said, Who are these to thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/48-8.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=12628" 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">7</span>Now as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way in the land of Canaan, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem). <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><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.">When Israel</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/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the sons</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.">of 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.">he asked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">are these?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>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.”…<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/27-1.htm">Genesis 27:1</a></span><br />When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” Esau replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-33.htm">Genesis 37:33</a></span><br />His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-26.htm">Genesis 45:26-28</a></span><br />“Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them. / However, when they relayed all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob was revived. / “Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-29.htm">Genesis 46:29-30</a></span><br />Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely. / Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”<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="/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="/deuteronomy/34-7.htm">Deuteronomy 34:7</a></span><br />Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not diminished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">1 Samuel 3:2</a></span><br />And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-4.htm">1 Kings 14:4</a></span><br />Jeroboam’s wife did as instructed; she arose and went to Shiloh and arrived at Ahijah’s house. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/71-18.htm">Psalm 71:18</a></span><br />Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-14.htm">Psalm 92:14</a></span><br />In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-4.htm">Isaiah 46:4</a></span><br />Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-3.htm">Matthew 17:3</a></span><br />Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-32.htm">Matthew 22:32</a></span><br />‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-28.htm">Luke 2:28-30</a></span><br />Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying: / “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. / For my eyes have seen Your salvation,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?</p><p class="hdg">no references listed for this verse.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/31-2.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/genesis/48-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/48-3.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/46-4.htm">Joseph's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/24-11.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/genesis/48-9.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/48-9.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/50-8.htm">Joseph's</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>When Israel saw the sons of Joseph</b><br>This moment occurs during the final days of Jacob, also known as Israel, who is in Egypt due to the famine that brought his family there. The name "Israel" signifies his covenant relationship with God, highlighting the spiritual significance of this encounter. Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were born in Egypt, a land foreign to Jacob's heritage. This meeting underscores the continuation of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, extending to the next generation. The presence of Joseph's sons in Egypt also foreshadows the future enslavement and eventual exodus of the Israelites from this land.<p><b>he asked, “Who are these?”</b><br>Jacob's question may reflect his failing eyesight, as noted earlier in <a href="/genesis/48-10.htm">Genesis 48:10</a>, or it could be a formal inquiry to acknowledge the presence of his grandsons. This question sets the stage for the adoption and blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh, which is significant in the biblical narrative. By adopting them, Jacob elevates them to the status of his own sons, ensuring their inclusion in the inheritance of the tribes of Israel. This act prefigures the concept of spiritual adoption found in the New Testament, where believers are adopted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel (Jacob)</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, originally named Jacob. He is the father of Joseph and the grandfather of Ephraim and Manasseh. In this passage, he is nearing the end of his life and is preparing to bless his grandsons.<br><br>2. <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 for a blessing.<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 brought before their grandfather, Israel, for a blessing that will integrate them into the Israelite heritage.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where Joseph has become a powerful leader and where Jacob and his family have settled during a time of famine.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/blessing_ceremony.htm">Blessing Ceremony</a></b><br>A significant event in the patriarchal accounts where the patriarch bestows blessings, often prophetic, upon his descendants.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_heritage.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Heritage</a></b><br>Jacob's question, "Who are these?" underscores the importance of recognizing and affirming one's spiritual lineage. As believers, we are called to understand and embrace our identity in Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_family_legacy.htm">The Role of Faith in Family Legacy</a></b><br>Jacob's act of blessing his grandsons is a demonstration of faith. It reminds us of the importance of passing down faith and spiritual values to the next generation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_family_dynamics.htm">God's Sovereignty in Family Dynamics</a></b><br>Despite the complexities of family relationships, God's purposes prevail. Joseph's sons, born in a foreign land, are integrated into the covenant promises, showing God's inclusive plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_blessings.htm">The Significance of Blessings</a></b><br>Blessings in the Bible often carry prophetic weight and spiritual significance. We should be intentional in speaking blessings and encouragement into the lives of others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_work_in_unfamiliar_places.htm">Recognizing God's Work in Unfamiliar Places</a></b><br>Just as Ephraim and Manasseh were born in Egypt, God often works in unexpected ways and places. We should remain open to His leading, even in unfamiliar circumstances.<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/what_is_the_tribe_of_ephraim.htm">What is the Tribe of Ephraim?</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/how_does_genesis_46_8-27_total_70.htm">How does Genesis 46:8-27 reconcile the total of '70 persons' with other biblical passages that give different family counts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_rachel_conceive_in_genesis_30.htm">In Genesis 30:22-24, why does Rachel's miraculous conception coincide with this specific moment, and is there any historical evidence for such events?</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>(8) <span class= "bld">Who are these?</span>--This question is asked as the solemn turning of the discourse to the young men who were now to be invested with the patriarchal rank. They were at this time about eighteen or twenty years of age.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/48.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these</span>? The failing sight of the patriarch (ver. 10) probably was the reason why he did not sooner recognize his grandchildren, and the fact that he did not at first discern their presence shows that his adoption of them into the number of the theocratic family was prompted not by the accidental impulse of a natural affection excited through beholding the youths, but by the inward promptings of the Spirit of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/48-8.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">When Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֥רְא</span> <span class="translit">(way·yar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<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">of Joseph,</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֑ף</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">he asked,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֖אמֶר</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">“Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִי־</span> <span class="translit">(mî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are these?”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵֽלֶּה׃</span> <span class="translit">(’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/48-8.htm">Genesis 48:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/48-8.htm">OT Law: Genesis 48:8 Israel saw Joseph's sons and said Who (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/48-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 48:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/48-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 48:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:9" /></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>