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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 48:13 And Joseph took both of them--with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand--and brought them close to him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/48-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_48_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 48:13 - Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And Joseph took both of them--with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand--and brought them close to him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/48-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/48-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/48.htm">Chapter 48</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/48-12.htm" title="Genesis 48:12">◄</a> Genesis 48:13 <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm" title="Genesis 48:14">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel&#8217s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel&#8217s right hand, and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/48.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then he positioned the boys in front of Jacob. With his right hand he directed Ephraim toward Jacob’s left hand, and with his left hand he put Manasseh at Jacob’s right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/48.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/48.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph took both of them—with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand—and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/48.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought <i>them</i> near unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/48.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought <i>them</i> near him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/48.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/48.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel&#8217s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel&#8217s right, and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/48.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/48.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/48.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/48.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph took them both—with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel’s left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel’s right—and brought them to Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/48.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph took them both—with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel&#8217s left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel&#8217s right—and brought them to Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/48.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/48.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After Joseph got up, he brought his two sons over to Jacob again. He led his younger son Ephraim to the left side of Jacob and his older son Manasseh to the right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/48.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/48.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right, facing Israel's left, and Manasseh on his left, facing Israel's right, and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/48.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Joseph put Ephraim at Jacob's left and Manasseh at his right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/48.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he brought them both close to his father, placing Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel's left and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel's right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/48.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph took both of them—with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand—and brought them close to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/48.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Joseph positioned them; he put Ephraim on his right hand across from Israel's left hand, and Manasseh on his left hand across from Israel's right hand. Then Joseph brought them closer to his father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/48.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel?s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel?s right hand, and brought them near to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/48.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand towards Israel's right hand, and brought them near to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/48.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near to him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/48.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Joseph takes them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh in his left toward Israel’s right, and brings [them] near to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/48.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Joseph taketh them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel's left, and Manasseh in his left towards Israel's right, and bringeth them nigh to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/48.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph will take the two, Ephraim in his right hand from Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand from Israel's right hand, and will draw near to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/48.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he set Ephraim on his right bend, that is, towards the left hand of Israel; but Manasses on his left hand, to wit, towards his father's right hand, and brought them near to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/48.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he placed Ephraim on his right, that is, towards the left hand of Israel. Yet truly Manasseh was on his left, namely, towards his father’s right hand. And he placed them both up against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/48.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph took the two, Ephraim with his right hand, to Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand, to Israel’s right, and brought them up to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/48.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them near him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/48.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph took both of his sons, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/48.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yoseph took both the children, Aphreim at his right from the left of Israel and Menasheh at his left, from the right of Israel and he brought them near to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/48.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/48.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph took his two sons, both Ephraim in his right hand, but on the left of Israel, and Manasse on his left hand, but on the right of Israel, and brought them near to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/48-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=12669" 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">12</span>Then Joseph removed his sons from his father’s knees and bowed facedown. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">And Joseph</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/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê·hem (Number-mdc:: 3mp) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">both</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">of them—</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.">with Ephraim</a> <a href="/hebrew/3225.htm" title="3225: bî·mî·nōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Right hand. From yaman; the right hand or side of a person or other object; locally, the south.">in his right hand</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.">toward Israel’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8040.htm" title="8040: miś·śə·mōl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The left. ">left hand,</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.">and Manasseh</a> <a href="/hebrew/8040.htm" title="8040: ḇiś·mō·lōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- The left. ">in his left hand</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.">toward Israel’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/3225.htm" title="3225: mî·mîn (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Right hand. From yaman; the right hand or side of a person or other object; locally, the south.">right hand—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: way·yag·gêš (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To draw near, approach. ">and brought them close</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">Genesis 41:51-52</a></span><br />Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” / And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Genesis 37:3</a></span><br />Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-50.htm">Genesis 41:50</a></span><br />Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-20.htm">Genesis 46:20</a></span><br />Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-22.htm">Genesis 49:22-26</a></span><br />Joseph is a fruitful vine—a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. / The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility. / Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-13.htm">Deuteronomy 33:13-17</a></span><br />Concerning Joseph he said: “May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath, / with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons, / with the best of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1-2</a></span><br />These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. / And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21</a></span><br />By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/7-14.htm">1 Chronicles 7:14-29</a></span><br />The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel through his Aramean concubine. She also gave birth to Machir the father of Gilead. / Machir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, who had only daughters. / Machir’s wife Maacah gave birth to a son, and she named him Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/1-32.htm">Numbers 1:32-35</a></span><br />From the sons of Joseph: From the sons of Ephraim, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army, / those registered to the tribe of Ephraim numbered 40,500. / And from the sons of Manasseh, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/2-18.htm">Numbers 2:18-24</a></span><br />On the west side, the divisions of Ephraim are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Ephraimites is Elishama son of Ammihud, / and his division numbers 40,500. / The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-28.htm">Numbers 26:28-37</a></span><br />The descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim. / These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead, and the Gileadite clan from Gilead. / These were the descendants of Gilead: the Iezerite clan from Iezer, the Helekite clan from Helek, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/14-4.htm">Joshua 14:4</a></span><br />The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion of the land was given to the Levites, except for cities in which to live, along with pasturelands for their flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/37-16.htm">Ezekiel 37:16-19</a></span><br />“And you, son of man, take a single stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Judah and to the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and to all the house of Israel associated with him.’ / Then join them together into one stick, so that they become one in your hand. / When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-13.htm">1 Kings 3:13</a></span><br />Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near to him.</p><p class="hdg">no references listed for this verse.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/48-10.htm">Close</a> <a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">E'phraim</a> <a href="/genesis/47-29.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/48-12.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/genesis/48-12.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">Manasseh</a> <a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">Manas'seh</a> <a href="/genesis/48-10.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-6.htm">Placing</a> <a href="/genesis/43-23.htm">Right</a> <a href="/genesis/41-17.htm">Side</a> <a href="/genesis/43-30.htm">Towards</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/3-5.htm">Close</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">E'phraim</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/6-14.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Manasseh</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Manas'seh</a> <a href="/exodus/3-5.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Placing</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Right</a> <a href="/genesis/49-13.htm">Side</a> <a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Towards</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/genesis/48.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>And Joseph took both of them</b><br />In this phrase, Joseph, the son of Jacob (Israel), is taking his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to his father for a blessing. The act of taking both sons signifies a deliberate and respectful approach to receiving a patriarchal blessing, which was a significant event in Hebrew culture. The Hebrew root for "took" (לָקַח, laqach) implies a careful and intentional action, highlighting Joseph's respect for his father and the importance of the blessing.<p><b>with Ephraim in his right hand</b><br />Joseph places Ephraim in his right hand, which is significant because the right hand traditionally symbolizes strength, power, and favor. In biblical times, the right hand was often associated with the primary blessing. This positioning suggests Joseph's intention for Manasseh, the firstborn, to receive the primary blessing from Israel's right hand, as was customary.<p><b>toward Israel’s left hand</b><br />By positioning Ephraim toward Israel's left hand, Joseph is following the cultural norm of placing the younger son in a position to receive the secondary blessing. The left hand, in contrast to the right, was typically associated with lesser favor. This setup reflects Joseph's understanding of tradition and his expectations for the blessing.<p><b>and Manasseh in his left hand</b><br />Manasseh, being the firstborn, is placed in Joseph's left hand, which is intended to direct him toward Israel's right hand. This reflects Joseph's desire for Manasseh to receive the greater blessing due to his status as the firstborn. The Hebrew culture placed significant emphasis on birthright and the privileges of the firstborn, which included leadership and a double portion of inheritance.<p><b>toward Israel’s right hand</b><br />Joseph's arrangement of his sons is strategic, aiming for Manasseh to receive the primary blessing from Israel's right hand. The right hand of Israel (Jacob) is symbolic of authority and the bestowal of the greater blessing. This reflects the cultural and familial expectations of the time, where the right hand was used to confer the primary blessing.<p><b>and brought them close to him</b><br />Joseph's action of bringing his sons close to Israel signifies the intimacy and importance of the blessing ceremony. The Hebrew root for "brought" (נָגַשׁ, nagash) conveys a sense of drawing near with purpose and reverence. This moment is not only a familial gathering but also a spiritual and covenantal act, as blessings were seen as prophetic and binding.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/48.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.</span> Joseph naturally expected that Jacob s right hand would fall upon the head of Manasseh, as the firstborn, although with regard to even this a doubt might have been suggested if he had remembered how Isaac had been preferred to Ishmael, and Jacob to Esau. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/48-13.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">And Joseph</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵף֮</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">took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקַּ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנֵיהֶם֒</span> <span class="translit">(šə·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - mdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of them—</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with Ephraim</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶפְרַ֤יִם</span> <span class="translit">(’ep̄·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_669.htm">Strong's 669: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in his right hand</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּֽימִינוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(bî·mî·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3225.htm">Strong's 3225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right hand, side, the south</span><br /><br /><span class="word">toward Israel’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</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">left hand,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְּׂמֹ֣אל</span> <span class="translit">(miś·śə·mōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8040.htm">Strong's 8040: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dark, the north, the left hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Manasseh</span><br /><span class="heb">מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·naš·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4519.htm">Strong's 4519: </a> </span><span class="str2">Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in his left hand</span><br /><span class="heb">בִשְׂמֹאל֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇiś·mō·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8040.htm">Strong's 8040: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dark, the north, the left hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">toward Israel’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</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">right hand—</span><br /><span class="heb">מִימִ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(mî·mîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3225.htm">Strong's 3225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right hand, side, the south</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and brought them close</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּגֵּ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yag·gêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to him.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/48-13.htm">Genesis 48:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/48-13.htm">OT Law: Genesis 48:13 Joseph took them both Ephraim in his (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/48-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 48:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/48-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 48:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 48:14" /></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>