John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 48:1-22
Jacob Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim, the Sons of JosephHe adopts them as his own sons with privileges equal to the others, thus making them heads of distinct tribes. By so doing he gives to Joseph, the eldest son of Rachel, whom he probably regarded as his true wife, the position of firstborn with a double portion of his inheritance. From the time of Moses we find Ephraim and Manasseh giving their names to tribes (Numbers 1), which received territory on the conquest of Canaan.3. Luz] or Bethel:... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 48:12-20
Jacob’s blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh 48:12-20Ephraim and Manasseh had been standing close to Jacob, between his knees, so he could see and touch them (Genesis 48:12). Ancient Near Eastern adoption ritual included placing the adopted child on the knees of the adopting parent to symbolize giving him birth in place of the birth mother. [Note: See I. Mendelsohn, "A Ugaritic Parallel to the Adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh," Israel Exploration Journal (1959):180-83.] Now Joseph took them back to... read more