Genesis 48:8-22

Common English Bible

⁸ When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?”

⁹ Joseph told his father, “They’re my sons, whom God gave me here.”

Israel said, “Bring them to me and I will bless them.” ¹⁰ Because Israel’s eyesight had failed from old age and he wasn’t able to see, Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed and embraced them.

¹¹ Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t expect I’d see your face, but now God has shown me your children too.” ¹² Then Joseph took them from Israel’s knees, and he bowed low with his face to the ground. ¹³ Joseph took both of them, Ephraim in his right hand at Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand at Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. ¹⁴ But Israel put out his right hand and placed it on the head of Ephraim, the younger one, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands because Manasseh was the oldest son. ¹⁵ He blessed them^[a] and said,

¹⁷ When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was upset and grasped his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. ¹⁸ Joseph said to his father, “No, my father! This is the oldest son. Put your right hand on his head.”

¹⁹ But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He’ll become a people too, and he’ll also be great. But his younger brother will be greater than he will, and his descendants will become many nations.” ²⁰ Israel blessed them that day, saying,

So Israel put Ephraim before Manasseh. ²¹ Then Israel said to Joseph, “I’m about to die. God will be with you and return you to the land of your fathers. ²² I’m giving you one portion more than to your brothers,^[b] a portion that I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”