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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>Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/58_Heb_11_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 11:21 - The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. <a href="/nkjv/hebrews/11.htm">New King James Version</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/nasb_/hebrews/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/nasb/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/nasb77/hebrews/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/lsb/hebrews/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and WORSHIPED, leaning ON THE TOP OF HIS STAFF. <a href="/amp/hebrews/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/csb/hebrews/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/hcsb/hebrews/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/asv/hebrews/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. <a href="/cev/hebrews/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Later, when Jacob was about to die, he leaned on his walking stick and worshiped. Then because of his faith he blessed each of Joseph's sons. <a href="/erv/hebrews/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. <a href="/gwt/hebrews/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> While Jacob was dying, faith led him to bless each of Joseph's sons. He leaned on the top of his staff and worshiped God. <a href="/gnt/hebrews/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> It was faith that made Jacob bless each of the sons of Joseph just before he died. He leaned on the top of his walking stick and worshiped God. <a href="/isv/hebrews/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons "and worshipped while leaning on the top of his staff." <a href="/msb/hebrews/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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="/net/hebrews/11.htm">NET Bible</a> By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped as he leaned on his staff. <a href="/nheb/hebrews/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed down over the top of his staff. <a href="/wbt/hebrews/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning upon the top of his staff. <a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Through faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and, leaning on the top of his staff, worshipped God. <a href="/web/hebrews/11.htm">World English Bible</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hebrews/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped on the top of his staff. <a href="/blb/hebrews/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped on the top of his staff. <a href="/ylt/hebrews/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> by faith Jacob dying -- each of the sons of Joseph did bless, and did bow down upon the top of his staff; <a href="/slt/hebrews/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons; and worshipped, upon the extremity of his rod.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hebrews/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> By faith Jacob dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod. <a href="/cpdv/hebrews/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> By faith, Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and he reverenced the summit of his rod. <a href="/nabre/hebrews/11.htm">New American Bible</a> By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and “bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff.” <a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, “bowing in worship over the top of his staff.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> By faith Jacob, when be was dying, blessed both of the sons of Joseph, and he worshipped, leaning upon the head of his staff. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> By faith, when Jacob was dying, he blessed each one of the sons of Joseph and bowed on the top of the staff.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/hebrews/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped on the top of his staff.<CM> <a href="/godbey/hebrews/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each one of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, on the hilt of his staff. <a href="/haweis/hebrews/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> By faith, dying Jacob blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed down in adoration upon the top of his staff.<CM> <a href="/mace/hebrews/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> by faith Jacob when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff. <a href="/wey/hebrews/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Through faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and, leaning on the top of his staff, worshipped God. <a href="/worrell/hebrews/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and he worshiped leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/worsley/hebrews/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped leaning on the top of his staff. <a href="/parallel/hebrews/11-21.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/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=2280" 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/hebrews/11.htm">The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph</a> 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. 21<a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: Pistei (N-DFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">By faith</a> <a href="/greek/2384.htm" title="2384: Iakōb (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jacob, the progenitor of the Israelites.">Jacob,</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apothnēskōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">when he was dying,</a> <a href="/greek/2127.htm" title="2127: eulogēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- (lit: I speak well of) I bless; pass: I am blessed. From a compound of eu and logos; to speak well of, i.e. to bless.">blessed</a> <a href="/greek/1538.htm" title="1538: hekaston (Adj-AMS) -- Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.">each</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/2501.htm" title="2501: Iōsēph (N-GMS) -- Joseph, a proper name. Of Hebrew origin; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">Joseph’s</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huiōn (N-GMP) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">sons</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4352.htm" title="4352: prosekynēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.">worshiped</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">as he leaned on</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/206.htm" title="206: akron (N-ANS) -- The end, extremity. Neuter of an adjective probably akin to the base of akmen; the extremity.">top</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/4464.htm" title="4464: rhabdou (N-GFS) -- A rod, staff, staff of authority, scepter. From the base of rhapizo; a stick or wand.">staff.</a> 22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.…<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="/genesis/48-1.htm">Genesis 48:1-20</a> Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. / When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up in bed. / Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there He blessed me ... <a href="/genesis/47-29.htm">Genesis 47:29-31</a> When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, / but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.” / “Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed. <a href="/genesis/49-1.htm">Genesis 49:1-28</a> Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come: / Come together and listen, O sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel. / Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. ... <a href="/genesis/27-27.htm">Genesis 27:27-29</a> So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said: “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed. / May God give to you the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth—an abundance of grain and new wine. / May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.” <a href="/genesis/28-1.htm">Genesis 28:1-4</a> So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” he commanded. / “Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. / May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples. ... <a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24-32</a> So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak. / When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled. / Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” ... <a href="/genesis/35-9.htm">Genesis 35:9-12</a> After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. / And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel.” So God named him Israel. / And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you. ... <a href="/genesis/46-1.htm">Genesis 46:1-4</a> So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. / And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. / “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ... <a href="/genesis/50-24.htm">Genesis 50:24-25</a> Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” / And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” <a href="/exodus/1-1.htm">Exodus 1:1-7</a> 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; ... <a href="/1_kings/1-47.htm">1 Kings 1:47</a> The king’s servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than your own name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king has bowed in worship on his bed, <a href="/matthew/8-11.htm">Matthew 8:11</a> I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. <a href="/luke/1-33.htm">Luke 1:33</a> and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” <a href="/luke/20-37.htm">Luke 20:37-38</a> Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘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, for to Him all are alive.” <a href="/john/4-12.htm">John 4:12</a> Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff.faith.<a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">Genesis 48:5-22</a> And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine… and worshipped.<a href="/genesis/47-31.htm">Genesis 47:31</a> And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-6.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/john/19-30.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-19.htm">Death</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-8.htm">Dying</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-9.htm">Head</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/acts/7-18.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/acts/7-13.htm">Joseph's</a> <a href="/john/13-25.htm">Leaning</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-16.htm">Supported</a> <a href="/acts/10-9.htm">Top</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-21.htm">Worship</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-4.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-4.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/3-9.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/james/1-12.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/revelation/3-9.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/revelation/14-11.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-28.htm">Death</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-22.htm">Dying</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-22.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-7.htm">Head</a> <a href="/genesis/25-26.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-22.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">Joseph's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-6.htm">Leaning</a> <a href="/revelation/11-1.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/exodus/17-12.htm">Supported</a> <a href="/revelation/21-10.htm">Top</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-28.htm">Worship</a> <a href="/revelation/5-14.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/revelation/5-14.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 11</div>1. <a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">What faith is.</a> 6. <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Without faith we cannot please God.</a> 7. <a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">The examples of faithfulness in the fathers of old time.</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/hebrews/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>By faith Jacob Jacob, also known as Israel, is a patriarch in the biblical narrative, and his life is a testament to the transformative power of faith. His journey from being a deceiver to a man of faith is significant in understanding the development of Israel as a nation. Jacob's faith is highlighted in his reliance on God's promises, which were first given to his grandfather Abraham and then to his father Isaac. This faith is a key theme in <a href="/hebrews/11.htm">Hebrews 11</a>, which emphasizes the importance of faith in the lives of the patriarchs.when he was dying Jacob's actions at the end of his life reflect a deep trust in God's promises, even as he faced death. This moment is recorded in <a href="/genesis/48.htm">Genesis 48</a>, where Jacob, aware of his impending death, gathers his strength to bless his descendants. The act of blessing at the time of death was a significant cultural practice, symbolizing the passing on of spiritual and familial heritage. It underscores the belief in the continuity of God's covenant through generations.blessed each of Joseph’s sons Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's sons, is a pivotal moment that reflects the extension of God's covenant promises to the next generation. In <a href="/genesis/48.htm">Genesis 48</a>, Jacob intentionally crosses his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim, the younger, signifying the reversal of the traditional birthright. This act prefigures the biblical theme of God's sovereign choice, often favoring the younger or the unexpected, as seen in the selection of David over his brothers and the calling of the Gentiles.and worshiped Jacob's worship at this moment signifies his acknowledgment of God's faithfulness throughout his life. Worship here is an expression of gratitude and reverence, recognizing God's hand in fulfilling His promises. This act of worship is a testament to Jacob's transformation and his recognition of God's sovereignty and grace.as he leaned on the top of his staff The image of Jacob leaning on his staff is rich with symbolism. The staff represents his journey and the trials he endured, including his wrestling with God at Peniel, where he was left with a limp. This physical weakness became a reminder of his dependence on God. The staff also signifies the pilgrim nature of Jacob's life, as he sojourned in foreign lands, always looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. This act of leaning on his staff while worshiping highlights the humility and faith of a patriarch who trusted in God's promises despite his own frailty.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> Also known as Israel, Jacob is a patriarch in the Bible, the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. He is a central figure in the account of the Israelites and is known for his faith and the blessings he bestowed upon his descendants. 2. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> Jacob's beloved son, who rose to prominence in Egypt. Joseph's life is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness, and his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were adopted by Jacob as his own. 3. <a href="/topical/e/ephraim_and_manasseh.htm">Ephraim and Manasseh</a> The two sons of Joseph, who were blessed by Jacob. This blessing was significant as it established their place among the tribes of Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/s/staff.htm">Staff</a> The staff symbolizes Jacob's journey and life as a shepherd and wanderer. It also represents his reliance on God throughout his life. 5. <a href="/topical/b/blessing.htm">Blessing</a> The act of blessing Joseph's sons was a prophetic and faith-filled declaration of God's promises to future generations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a> Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons demonstrates his unwavering faith in God's promises, even as he faced death. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises, regardless of their circumstances. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faith.htm">Legacy of Faith</a> Jacob's actions remind us of the importance of passing on a legacy of faith to future generations. We are called to invest in the spiritual lives of our children and grandchildren. <a href="/topical/w/worship_in_all_circumstances.htm">Worship in All Circumstances</a> Jacob worshiped God even in his old age and frailty, showing that worship is a lifelong commitment. We should strive to maintain a heart of worship throughout our lives. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_reversals.htm">God's Sovereignty in Reversals</a> The blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh illustrates God's sovereignty and His ability to work beyond human traditions and expectations. We should remain open to God's unexpected plans in our lives. <a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god.htm">Reliance on God</a> Jacob leaning on his staff symbolizes his reliance on God. In our own lives, we should lean on God for strength and guidance, especially in times of weakness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 11</a> <a href="/q/jacob's_prophecies_in_the_bible.htm">What are Jacob's prophecies in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_non-biblical_record_of_gen_47.htm">Why is there no clear non-biblical documentation of both a severe seven-year famine and the Hebrews thriving in Egypt (Genesis 47)?</a> <a href="/q/names_and_meanings_of_israel's_tribes.htm">What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_jacob,_also_known_as_israel.htm">Who is Jacob, also known as Israel?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) Both the sons.--Rather, each of the sons. The separate character of the two blessings is thus brought out (<a href="/context/genesis/48-14.htm" title="And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.">Genesis 48:14-19</a>). (See the last Note.) In the case of the two events mentioned in this verse the order of time is reversed, probably that the blessing of Jacob may immediately follow the similar record of <a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm" title="By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.">Hebrews 11:20</a>.And worshipped.--The incident referred to will be found in <a href="/genesis/47-31.htm" title="And he said, Swear to me. And he swore to him. And Israel bowed himself on the bed's head.">Genesis 47:31</a>. After receiving from Joseph a promise, confirmed by oath, that he shall be buried with his fathers, "Israel bowed himself upon" (or, worshipped towards) "the bed's head." In the LXX. and in the Targums the words are understood as denoting an act of worship. The Greek translators have taken the last word of the Hebrew verse to denote "staff" (<a href="/genesis/32-10.htm" title="I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which you have showed to your servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.">Genesis 32:10</a>), not "bed," the words which bear these different meanings differing very slightly in form. The whole clause is given here as it stands in the LXX., the difference between the renderings being immaterial for the purpose which the writer had in view. The quotation of the familiar words serves to recall the scene, and brings before us Israel's thankful and devout satisfaction when assured that he should rest with his fathers in the land of Canaan; by this, at the point of death, he expressed his faith in the promise by which Abraham and his seed received Canaan as their inheritance.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. Here two distinct incidents are referred to, both at the close of Jacob's life. That first mentioned, the blessing of the sons of Joseph (<a href="/genesis/48-2.htm">Genesis 48:2</a>), closely resembles the dying act of Isaac already spoken of, and has a similar significance. In both cases, too, human intention is overruled, in that the younger son obtains the higher blessing; and each patriarch accepts alike the Divine intimation to this effect, thus further evincing faith in a power and a will above his own. The latter part of the verse, "and worshipped," etc., is quoted from <a href="/genesis/47-31.htm">Genesis 47:31</a>, and refers to a previous instance of the dying Jacob's faith, in his charge to Joseph to bury him with his fathers in the land of promise. The reversal in the text of the historical order of the two instances may be because the one referred to first is cognate with the instance of Isaac's faith which has gone before, the other with that of Joseph's which follows. For the benedictions of Isaac and Jacob, when a-dying, expressed faith in revelations made to them about the several races of their future seed; the deathbed charges of Jacob and Joseph expressed faith in the chosen seed's inheritance of the Promised Land. Though in the verse before us Jacob's charge to Joseph, with a view to this inheritance, is not mentioned, yet the quotation from the account of it in Genesis, "and worshipped," etc., would be sufficient, in this concise summary of instances, to recall it to the mind of readers, and so intimate the writer's meaning. The variation of the LXX., which is here followed as usual, from the Massoretic text, in reading "staff" instead of "bed," is due to the ambiguity of the Hebrew word, which has one meaning or the other according to its pointing. "Bed" seems more likely to have been intended, inasmuch as the bed on which the patriarch lay is twice again mentioned (<a href="/genesis/48-2.htm">Genesis 48:2</a>; <a href="/genesis/49-33.htm">Genesis 49:33</a>) in the account of the closing scene; and we find also a similar expression used of David in his old age (<a href="/1_kings/1-47.htm">1 Kings 1:47</a>). Bat the variation is unimportant, the essence of the passage being in the word translated "bowed himself," which in the Hebrew as well as the Greek certainly expresses an act of worship. The only difference is that, according to one rendering, this worship was expressed by his bowing over the staff on which he leant as he sat upon the bed (<a href="/genesis/48-2.htm">Genesis 48:2</a>); according to the other, by his turning round to prostrate himself with his head upon the pillow. The view of some of the Fathers, who, adopting the LXX. rendering and supposing the staff to be Joseph's, regard the act as expressing reverence to Joseph himself, in fulfillment of Gem 38:5-11, has little probability in its favor, and is controverted by St. Augustine. But so Chrysostom, and apparently Theodoret. And suitably to this idea, the Vulgate has in Hebrews, "et adoravit fastigium virgae ejus," though in Genesis, "adoravit Israel Deum, conversus ad lectuli caput." Quite untenable, and only worthy of mention because of the use that has been made of it in support of image-worship, is the idea that Joseph's staff was surmounted by some sacred image which Jacob adored. <a href="/commentaries/hebrews/11-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>By faith Πίστει (Pistei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. Jacob, Ἰακὼβ (Iakōb) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2384.htm">Strong's 2384: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jacob, the progenitor of the Israelites. when he was dying, ἀποθνῄσκων (apothnēskōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off. blessed εὐλόγησεν (eulogēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2127.htm">Strong's 2127: </a> (lit: I speak well of) I bless; pass: I am blessed. From a compound of eu and logos; to speak well of, i.e. to bless. each ἕκαστον (hekaston) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1538.htm">Strong's 1538: </a> Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every. of τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Joseph’s Ἰωσὴφ (Iōsēph) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2501.htm">Strong's 2501: </a> Joseph, a proper name. Of Hebrew origin; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites. sons υἱῶν (huiōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. worshiped προσεκύνησεν (prosekynēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4352.htm">Strong's 4352: </a> From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage. [as he leaned] on ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. top ἄκρον (akron) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_206.htm">Strong's 206: </a> The end, extremity. Neuter of an adjective probably akin to the base of akmen; the extremity. of τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. staff. ῥάβδου (rhabdou) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4464.htm">Strong's 4464: </a> A rod, staff, staff of authority, scepter. From the base of rhapizo; a stick or wand. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-21.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob when he was dying (Heb. He. 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