Genesis 48:1-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 48:1-7

Here, I. Joseph, upon notice of his father's illness, goes to see him; though a man of honour and business, yet he will not fail to show this due respect to his aged father, Gen. 48:1. Visiting the sick, to whom we lie under obligations, or may have opportunity of doing good, either for body or soul, is our duty. The sick bed is a proper place both for giving comfort and counsel to others and receiving instruction ourselves. Joseph took his two sons with him, that they might receive their... read more

Matthew Henry

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 48:1

And it came to pass after these things ,.... Some little time after Jacob had sent for Joseph, and conversed with him about his burial in the land of Canaan, and took an oath to bury him there, for then the time drew nigh that he must die: that one told Joseph, behold, thy father is sick ; he was very infirm when he was last with him, and his natural strength decaying apace, by which he knew his end was near; but now he was seized with a sickness which threatened him with death... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:2

And one told Jacob ,.... The same that came from Jacob to Joseph might be sent back by him to, his father, to let him know that he was coming to see him, or some other messenger sent on purpose; for it can hardly be thought that this was an accidental thing on either side: and said, behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee ; to pay him a visit, and which no doubt gave him a pleasure, he being his beloved son, as well as he was great and honourable: and Israel strengthened himself,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:3

And Jacob said unto Joseph ,.... Being come into his bedchamber, and sitting by him, or standing before him: God Almighty appeared unto at Luz in the land of Canaan ; the same with Bethel, where God appeared, both at his going to Padanaram, and at his return from thence, Genesis 28:11 ; which of those times is here referred to is not certain; very likely he refers to them both, since the same promises were made to him at both times, as after mentioned: and blessed me ; promised he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:4

And said unto me, behold, I will make thee fruitful ,.... In a spiritual sense, in grace and good works; in a literal sense, in an increase of worldly substance, and especially of children: and multiply thee ; make his posterity numerous as the sand of the sea: and I will make of thee a multitude of people ; a large nation, consisting of many tribes, even a company of nations, as the twelve tribes of Israel were: and I will give this land unto thy seed after thee, for an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:5

And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh ,.... Ephraim was the youngest, but is mentioned first, as he afterwards was preferred in the blessing of him: which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt, before I came unto thee into Egypt ; and therefore must be twenty years of age, or upwards: for Jacob had been in Egypt seventeen years, and he came there when there had been two years of famine, and Joseph's sons were born to him before the years of famine began, Genesis 41:50 ; of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:6

And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine ,.... The children of Joseph, that either were, or would be begotten after Ephraim and Manasseh; though whether ever any were is not certain; and this is only mentioned by way of supposition, as Jarchi interprets it, "if thou shouldest beget", &c.; these should be reckoned his own, and not as Jacob's sons, but be considered as other grandchildren of Jacob's were, and not as Ephraim and Manasseh: and shall be called after... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:7

And as for me, when I came from Padan ,.... From Syria, from Laban's house: Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan ; his beloved wife, the mother of Joseph, on whose account he mentions her, and to show a reason why he took his sons as his own, because his mother dying so soon, he could have no more children by her; and she being his only lawful wife, Joseph was of right to be reckoned as the firstborn; and that as such he might have the double portion, he took his two sons as his own,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 48:8

And Israel beheld Joseph's sons ,.... Ephraim and Manasseh, of whom he had been speaking as if they were absent, and he might not know until now that they were present, for his eyes were dim that he could not see clearly, Genesis 49:10 ; he saw two young men standing by Joseph, but knew not who they were, and therefore asked the following question: and said, who are these ? whose sons are they? the Targum of Jonathan is,"of whom were these born to thee?'as if he knew them to be his... read more

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