Genesis 48:15-16

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 48:15

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 48:15

He blessed Joseph - The father first, and then the sons afterwards. And this is an additional proof to what has been adduced under Genesis 48:12 , of Jacob's superiority; for the less is always blessed of the greater. The God which fed me all my life long - Jacob is now standing on the verge of eternity, with his faith strong in God. He sees his life to be a series of mercies; and as he had been affectionately attentive, provident, and kind to his most helpless child, so has God been... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 48:16

The Angel which redeemed me from all evil - הגאל המלאך hammalac haggoel . The Messenger, the Redeemer or Kinsman; for so גאל goel signifies; for this term, in the law of Moses, is applied to that person whose right it is, from his being nearest akin, to redeem or purchase back a forfeited inheritance. But of whom does Jacob speak? We have often seen, in the preceding chapters, an angel of God appearing to the patriarchs; (see particularly Genesis 16:7 ; (note)) and we have full... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 48:15

Verse 15 15.God before whom. Although Jacob knew that a dispensation of the grace of God was committed to him, in order that he might effectually bless his grandchildren; yet he arrogates nothing to himself, but suppliantly resorts to prayer, lest he should, in the least degree, detract from the glory of God. For as he was the legitimate administrator of the blessing, so it behaved him to acknowledge God as its sole Author. And hence a common rule is to be deduced for all the ministers and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 48:16

Verse 16 16.The Angel which redeemed me. He so joins the Angel to God as to make him his equal. Truly he offers him divine worship, and asks the same things from him as from God. If this be understood indifferently of any angel what ever, the sentence is absurd. Nay, rather, as Jacob himself sustains the name and character of God, in blessing his son, (191) he is superior, in this respect, to the angels. Wherefore it is necessary that Christ should be here meant, who does not bear in vain the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 48:1-22

Jacob's dying utterances. I. AN OLD MAN 'S SICK - BED . "It came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick." In this the venerable patriarch— 1. Suffered an experience that is common to all . For nearly three half-centuries had this weather-beaten pilgrim been able to maintain himself erect amid the numberless vicissitudes of life. Strong, healthy, vigorous, and active too, he appears to have been until now, notwithstanding the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 48:1-22

We are admitted into the inner chamber of the patriarch's departing life, and we see there the presence of Jehovah with him. He is— 1. The subject of inspiration . 2. The mediator of the Divine promises . He is under the control of purposes which have been swaying him all his life. 3. A witness to Divine faithfulness . The grandfather blessing the grandchildren. The blessing passes on to the third and fourth generation. Yet the human blessing is only the type of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 48:15-16

And he blessed Joseph ( i.e. in his sons), and said, God ,—literally, the Elohim . The use of Elohim in a passage ( Genesis 48:15-19 ) which is undoubtedly Jehovistic in its import, and is by advanced critics (Davidson, Colenso) assigned to that writer, has been explained (Hengstenberg) as an indication that " the great spiritual Sun, Jehovah, was at that time," viz; at the entrance of the captivity, "concealed behind a cloud from the chosen race;" but, without resorting to any... read more

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