Knowing The Word in Genesis 48:17-22, And Continues Some More

17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” [Blessings once uttered are irreversible. The parallel with Isaac’s deathbed scene cannot be missed. Whereas Manasseh will become a people, Ephraim’s descendants will be a multitude of nations. Both will prove to be outstanding examples of divine blessing.] 20 So he blessed them that day, saying,

“By you Israel will pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’”

Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. 21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. [Jacob reminds them that God will bring them all back to Canaan.] 22 Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.” [Is this gift a token of his continuing attachment to Joseph or is it a reminder to his most Egyptianized son where his true home is?]