Knowing The Word in Genesis 48:1-7, Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

[Chapters 48-50 bring to a conclusion the long story of Jacob, which began in chapter 25, and that of Joseph, which began in chapter 37. When a patriarch is about to die, he summons his nearest male relative and blesses him. Jacob’s is the longest deathbed scene, which seems fitting for the father of the nation of Israel. His blessing gives a preview of what is to follow, especially that Israel’s future lies in Canaan, not in Egypt. Through Jacob’s dying words, the author of Genesis is able to sum up the themes of Genesis, to point to the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and Isaac about descendants and protection, and to reiterate the hope that one day Canaan will be theirs too, as the Lord has promised. Another important theme of these chapters is Jacob’s desire to be buried in Canaan. Joseph, however, is prepared to wait for the day of his own burial in Canaan when all his people will leave Egypt and settle in the land of promise.]

1 After this [an important structural marker in Genesis], Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” [This suggests a terminal illness.] So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. [All the male heirs are expected to attend the patriarch’s deathbed to receive his final blessing. Why is Joseph bringing his sons?] 2 And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. 3 And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’ [The divine promises and commands have been given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob so the next generation must now loyally carry them out. Egypt is not a permanent possession. Canaan is.] 5 And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. [Jacob proceeds to adopt his grandsons formally, putting them on par with his two eldest sons. This act does not simply make them Jacob’s heirs but makes them the ancestors of tribes on a par with those tracing their origin back to Jacob’s own sons.] 6 And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours. [This is the only mention that Joseph has other sons, who shall be incorporated into the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.] They shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. 7 As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” [The great promises God made to Jacob at Bethel were soon followed by Jacob’s greatest loss.]