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14 And Israel reached out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, [a]crossing his hands intentionally, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

15 Then [Jacob] blessed Joseph and said, God [Himself], before Whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac lived and walked habitually, God [Himself], Who has [been my Shepherd and has led and] fed me from the time I came into being until this day,

16 The [b]redeeming Angel [that is, the Angel the Redeemer—not a created being but the Lord Himself] Who has redeemed me continually from every evil, bless the lads! And let my name be perpetuated in them [may they be worthy of having their names coupled with mine], and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them become a multitude in the midst of the earth.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 48:14 God acts independently of the claims of priority based on time of birth when He chooses men. He too “crossed His hands” in the case of Seth whom He chose over Cain; of Shem over Japheth; of Isaac over Ishmael; of Jacob over Esau; of Judah and Joseph over Reuben; of Moses over Aaron; of David over all his brothers; and of Mary over Martha.
  2. Genesis 48:16 The “Angel of the Lord” is here identified as Christ Himself. See also the footnote on Gen. 16:7.

14 But Israel(A) reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head,(B) though he was the younger,(C) and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.(D)

15 Then he blessed(E) Joseph and said,

“May the God before whom my fathers
    Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully,(F)
the God who has been my shepherd(G)
    all my life to this day,
16 the Angel(H) who has delivered me from all harm(I)
    —may he bless(J) these boys.(K)
May they be called by my name
    and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac,(L)
and may they increase greatly
    on the earth.”(M)

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14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.

15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

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