Genesis 47:27-48:7

Common English Bible

Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

²⁷ Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. They settled in it, had many children, and became numerous. ²⁸ After Jacob had lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years, and after he had lived a total of 147 years, ²⁹ Israel’s death approached. He summoned his son Joseph and said to him, “If you would be so kind, lay your hand under my thigh, and be loyal and true to me. Don’t bury me in Egypt. ³⁰ When I lie down with my fathers, carry me from Egypt and bury me in their grave.”

Joseph said, “I will do just as you say.”

³¹ Israel said, “Give me your word!” and Joseph gave his word. Then Israel slumped down at the head of the bed.

48 After this happened, Joseph was told,^[a] “Your father is getting weaker,” so he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him. ² When Jacob was informed,^[b] “Your son Joseph is here now,” he^[c] pulled himself together and sat up in bed. ³ Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty^[d] appeared to me in Luz in the land of Canaan. He blessed me ⁴ and said to me, ‘I am about to give you many children, to increase your numbers, and to make you a large group of peoples. I will give this land to your descendants following you as an enduring possession.’ ⁵ Now, your two sons born to you in the land of Egypt before I arrived in Egypt are my own. Ephraim and Manasseh are just like Reuben and Simeon to me. ⁶ Your family who is born to you after them are yours, but their inheritance will be determined under their brothers’ names. ⁷ When I came back from Paddan-aram,^[e] Rachel died, to my sorrow, on the road in the land of Canaan, with some distance yet to go to Ephrathah, so I buried her there near the road to Ephrathah,^[f] which is Bethlehem.”