Genesis 48:12-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 48:8-22

Here is, I. The blessing with which Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, which is the more remarkable because the apostle makes such particular mention of it (Heb. 11:21), while he says nothing of the blessing which Jacob pronounced on the rest of his sons, though that also was done in faith. Observe here, 1. Jacob was blind for age, Gen. 48:10. It is one of the common infirmities of old age. Those that look out at the windows are darkened, Eccl. 12:3. It is folly to walk in the sight of our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:12

And Joseph brought them out from between his knees ,.... Either from between his own, where they were kneeling, as he was sitting, in order that they might be nearer his father, to receive his blessing by the putting on of his hands; or rather from between his father's knees, he, as Aben Ezra observes, sitting on the bed, having kissed and embraced them, they were still between his knees; and that they might not be burdensome to his aged father, leaning on his breast, and especially, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:13

And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand ,.... He took Ephraim his youngest son in his right hand, and led him up to his father, by which means he would stand in a right position to have his grandfather's left hand put upon him: and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand ; Manasseh his eldest son he took in his left hand, and brought him to his father, and so was in a proper position to have his right hand laid upon him, as seniority of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:14

And Israel stretched out his right hand ,.... Not directly forward, but across, or otherwise it would have been laid on Manasseh, as Joseph designed it should by the position he placed him in: and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger , the right hand being the strongest and most in use, as it was reckoned most honourable to sit at it, so to have it imposed, as being significative of the greater blessing: and his left hand upon Manasseh's head ; who was the older: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:15

And he blessed Joseph ,.... In his sons who were reckoned for him, and became the heads of tribes in his room: and said, God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk ; in whom they believed, whom they professed, and whom they feared, served, and worshipped, and with whom they had communion: the God which fed me all my long unto this day ; who had upheld him in life, provided for him all the necessaries of life, food and raiment, and had followed him with his goodness ever... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:16

The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads ,.... Ephraim and Manasseh, now about twenty years old or upwards: this is not to be understood of a created angel he wishes to be their guardian, but of an eternal one, the Son of God, the Angel of God's presence, the Angel of the covenant; the same with the God of his father before mentioned, as appears by the character he gives him, as having "redeemed him from all evil"; not only protected and preserved him from temporal evils... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:17

And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him ,.... To see the younger preferred to the elder; parents, generally speaking, having the greatest regard to the firstborn with respect to honour and estate, and to them, in those times, the patriarchal blessing particularly was thought to belong; but it did not always go to them, but to the younger, as in Jacob's own case: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:18

And Joseph said unto his father, not so, my father ,.... It is not right, it should not so be, that the right hand should be put on the youngest, and the left hand on the eldest: for this is the firstborn ; directing him to Manasseh, and seeking to guide his hand towards him: put thy right hand upon his head ; Joseph was for proceeding according to the order of birthright, but Jacob was directed by a spirit of prophecy, as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:19

And his father refused ,.... To have any alteration made, and therefore, though Joseph lifted it up from. Ephraim's head and held it over it, Jacob put it on again and went on with the blessing: and said, I know it , my son, I know it ; he knew what he did, and he repeats it to confirm it, as well as to show the vehemency of his mind, and his resolution to abide by what he had done; he knew on whom he laid his right hand, and he knew that Manasseh was the firstborn: so the Targum of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:20

And he blessed them that day ,.... That Joseph visited him, and this be did "by faith"; believing that what he had said concerning them would be accomplished, as the apostle observes, Hebrews 11:21 , saying, in thee shall Israel bless ; in Joseph, as the Targum of Jonathan, that is, in his seed, in his sons Ephraim and Manasseh, when the Israelites blessed any, they should make use of their names: saying, God make thee as Ephraim and Manasseh : as great and honourable, as rich and... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 48:8-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:20

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