Genesis 48:8-16 · Bible study
Genesis 48:8-16 Commentary: Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Jacob ask 'Who are these?' after adopting Joseph's sons? This study explores blessing, crossed hands, and God's sovereign choice in Genesis 48:8-16.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jacob blesses Joseph's sons, adopting them and reversing the birth order through intentional crossed hands.
- Key words: Bless (barakh, H1288), Angel (mal'akh, H4397), Redeem (ga'al, H1350).
- Main debate: The identity of 'the Angel', a created messenger or a theophany of the pre-incarnate Christ?
- Theological theme: God's sovereign choice and covenant faithfulness transcending human custom.
- Best use: Preaching or teaching on God's sovereignty, the nature of blessing, and the inclusion of outsiders into the covenant family.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
8When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”
9Joseph said to his father, “They are the sons God has given me in this place.” So Jacob said, “Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.”
10Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.
11“I never expected to see your face again,” Israel said to Joseph, “but now God has let me see your children as well.”
12Then Joseph removed his sons from his father’s knees and bowed facedown.
13And Joseph took both of them—with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand—and brought them close to him.
14But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.
15Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
16the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
8Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?”
9Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” He said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.”
10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn’t see well. Joseph brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
11Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”
12Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
13Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near to him.
14Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
15He blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
16the angel who has 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. Let them grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
KJV King James Version 1769
8And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?
9And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
11And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
12And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
13And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
14And 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.
15And 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,
16The 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
8And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?
9And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me here. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
11And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath let me see thy seed also.
12And Joseph brought them out from between his knees; and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
13And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
14And 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 first-born.
15And he blessed Joseph, and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God who hath fed me all my life long unto this day,
16the angel who hath 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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
8And Israel seeth the sons of Joseph, and saith, `Who are these?'
9and Joseph saith unto his father, `They are my sons, whom God hath given to me in this place ;' and he saith, `Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I bless them.'
10And the eyes of Israel have been heavy from age, he is unable to see; and he bringeth them nigh unto him, and he kisseth them, and cleaveth to them;
11and Israel saith unto Joseph, `To see thy face I had not thought, and lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.'
12And Joseph bringeth them out from between his knees, and boweth himself on his face to the earth;
13and Joseph taketh them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel's left, and Manasseh in his left towards Israel's right, and bringeth them nigh to him.
14And Israel putteth out his right hand, and placeth it upon the head of Ephraim, who is the younger, and his left hand upon the head of Manasseh; he hath guided his hands wisely, for Manasseh is the first-born.
15And he blesseth Joseph, and saith, `God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked habitually: God who is feeding me from my being unto this day:
16the Messenger who is redeeming me from all evil doth bless the youths, and my name is called upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and they increase into a multitude in the midst of the land.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
8And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?
9And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God has given me here. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, to me, that I may bless them.
10But the eyes of Israel were heavy from age: he could not see. And he brought them nearer to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
11And Israel said to Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face; and behold, God has let me see also thy seed.
12And Joseph brought them out from his knees, and bowed down with his face to the earth.
13And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought [them] near to him.
14But Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid [it] on Ephraim's head — now he was the younger — and his left hand on Manasseh's head; guiding his hands intelligently, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
15And he blessed Joseph, and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God that shepherded me all my life long to this day,
16the Angel that redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the land!
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
8Then seeing his sons, he said to him: Who are these?
9He answered: They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said: Bring them to me, that I may bless them.
10For Israel's eyes were dim by reason of his great age, and he could not see clearly. And when they were brought to him, he kissed and embraced them,
11And said to his son: I am not deprived of seeing thee; moreover God hath shewn me thy seed.
12And when Joseph had taken them from his father's lap, he bowed down with his face to the ground.
13And he set Ephraim on his right hand, that is, towards the left hand of Israel; but Manasses on his left hand, to wit, towards his father's right hand, and brought them near to him.
14But he, stretching forth his right hand, put it upon the head of Ephraim, the younger brother; and the left upon the head of Manasses, who was the elder, changing his hands.
15And Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph, and said: God, in whose sight my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, God that feedeth me from my youth until this day:
16The angel that delivereth me from all evils, bless these boys: and let my name be called upon them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Genesis 48:8
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Jacob's question in verse 8 reflects his physical blindness rather than ignorance. Keil and Delitzsch note that 'the eyes of Israel were heavy (dim) with age, so that he could not see well.' Adam Clarke adds that Jacob could see the boys but could not distinguish them at a distance. Calvin suggests the narrative places events in reverse order, with the question coming before the formal adoption already declared in verse 5. The blessing itself reveals a deliberate, prophetic act: Jacob crosses his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim the younger and his left on Manasseh the firstborn. Moses says Jacob 'guided his hands knowingly', the Hebrew verb śikkēl (H7919) meaning 'he laid crosswise' or 'he acted with understanding.' As Calvin argues, Jacob's crossing was not a mistake but a conscious choice. The blessing invokes 'the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked' and 'the angel who has redeemed me from all evil.' Gill and Calvin identify this Angel as the Son of God, a theophany that points to Christ. The passage displays God's freedom to override human tradition.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Physical blindness explanation: Commentators Keil, Clarke, and Gill point to the dim eyes of Israel in verse 10 as the reason for the question.
- Formal recognition ritual: Some see the question as part of an adoption ceremony where the boys are formally presented for blessing.
- Christological Angel: Calvin, Gill, and many Christian interpreters identify the Angel of verse 16 as the pre-incarnate Son of God, based on the divine attributes and worship given to him.
What is clear: Jacob intentionally crossed his hands to bless the younger son, demonstrating God's sovereign choice regardless of human custom.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh | Jacob elevates the two sons to be heads of tribes, equal to his own sons Reuben and Simeon. | Whether this is a permanent adoption or a special grant limited to this generation. Some see it as a permanent elevation of Joseph's line to a double portion. |
| The crossing of hands | The act is intentional and not a mistake; Jacob knows what he is doing. | Whether Jacob was acting on his own prophetic insight or received direct revelation. Calvin argues for the latter; others see it as a learned wisdom. |
| The identity of the Angel | The Angel is a divine figure, not a mere messenger. | Orthodox Christianity identifies the Angel as the pre-incarnate Son of God. Other traditions see it as an angel representing God or a personification of God's presence. |
| Jacob's question 'Who are these?' | The question arises from Jacob's dim eyesight due to old age. | Some see it as a formal recognition ritual, while others take it strictly as a request for identification. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Blessing by the laying on of hands appears here for the first time in Scripture, though it becomes a standard practice for appointments and blessings (Numbers 27:18-23; Matthew 19:13-15). The gesture communicated the transfer of rights and privileges. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the right hand carried greater honor and was reserved for the firstborn, who received the primary blessing. By crossing his hands, Jacob intentionally reverses the expected order.
The setting is the deathbed of Jacob, a moment laden with covenantal significance. Jacob is in Egypt, far from the promised land, yet his eyes are fixed on God's promises. The dim eyes of Israel recall the blindness of Isaac in Genesis 27, another scene where the younger son received the blessing. Jacob's question 'Who are these?' may also serve as a formal recognition: though he adopted the boys in verse 5, he now receives them physically for the blessing act. The adoption itself, where Jacob says 'Ephraim and Manasseh… are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they will be mine,' elevates Joseph's sons to tribal founders, equal to Jacob's own sons.
The closing phrase 'Let them grow into a multitude' uses the Hebrew verb dāgāh (H1711), literally 'may they multiply like fish.' This points to the future abundance of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who would later become two of the most prominent tribes in Israel's history. The blessing also asks that 'my name be named on them,' meaning Jacob's name and the names of Abraham and Isaac would be identified with these lads, incorporating them fully into the covenant people.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Genesis 48:8-16. The phrase 'guiding his hands wittingly' (KJV) or 'crossing his hands' (RSV) is well-attested; the Hebrew verb śikkēl (H7919) carries the sense of 'acting wisely' or 'placing crosswise,' and the reading is consistent across manuscripts. The LXX renders it enallax tas cheiras ('the hands crosswise').
Reception History
Jewish tradition, as found in the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, sees this episode as affirming the special status of Joseph's tribes. Early Christian writers, from Irenaeus onward, identified the 'Angel who redeemed me' with Christ, the Angel of the Lord who appeared throughout Genesis. Reformers like Calvin and Luther emphasized God's free grace in choosing Ephraim over Manasseh, seeing it as a type of election. In modern scholarship, the passage is studied for its literary artistry, its role in the patriarchal narratives, and its reflection of ancient Near Eastern blessing customs. It has also been used in discussions of adoption and the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant people.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Blind Man Who Sees Clearly: Jacob's physical blindness contrasts with his sharp spiritual vision. He knows exactly what he is doing when he crosses his hands.
- The Sovereign God Who Reverses Human Expectations: The crossing of hands demonstrates that God chooses whom He will, regardless of birth order.
- The Faithful God Who Redeems and Blesses: Jacob's prayer testifies to God's shepherding care and angelic redemption throughout his life.
Five-point outline
- Jacob's Question: Physical blindness, not ignorance, an invitation to look closer.
- Joseph's Presentation: Faith in God as the giver of children, even in Egypt.
- The Crossing of Hands: Intentional, prophetic reversal of the birthright.
- The Blessing: Invoking both the God of the fathers and the Redeeming Angel.
- The Promise: Multiplication and full inclusion in the covenant name.
Illustration hooks
- A parent who, despite failing eyesight, recognizes the unique gift in a less-prominent child and speaks a word of destiny over them.
- A family business where the younger sibling is chosen to lead, and later that choice proves to be the right one.
- An elderly person on their deathbed gathering the family, recounting God's faithfulness, and imparting a blessing that shapes the next generation.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why would God choose the younger over the firstborn? Does that seem fair?
- What does it mean to be 'blessed' in the Old Testament sense, is it only about prosperity or something deeper?
- How do we receive blessing today, and can we pass it on to others?
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us to consider how God works through unexpected means. Jacob's physical blindness does not prevent him from seeing God's purposes clearly. The crossing of hands teaches us that God's ways are not our ways. As you discuss, keep in mind the larger story of God choosing the unlikely, Abel over Cain, Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, and now Ephraim over Manasseh.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you about Jacob's question, 'Who are these?', what does it reveal about his physical and spiritual state?
- Joseph positions his sons so that the right hand will go to the firstborn. Why does Jacob reverse this? What does it suggest about God's sovereignty?
- Jacob says, 'The God who has fed me all my life long.' How does remembering God's past faithfulness encourage us in the present?
- Who is 'the angel' in verse 16? What clues does the passage give that this is more than a created angel?
- The blessing includes the request 'let my name be named on them.' What does it mean for a person or family to bear the name of God and the patriarchs?
- How does this story challenge human expectations about status, birth order, or worth?
- In what ways can we 'bless' the next generation today, not just with words, but with intentional acts that point to God's promises?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 27:4 | Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.” |
| Genesis 27:28 | God give you of the dew of the sky, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and new wine. |
| Genesis 27:29 | Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you.” |
| Genesis 27:34 | When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, my father.” |
| Genesis 27:40 | You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. It will happen, when you will break loose, that you will shake his yoke from off your neck.” |
| Genesis 28:3 | May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples, |
| Genesis 28:4 | and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your offspring with you, that you may inherit the land where you travel, which God gave to Abraham.” |
| Genesis 30:2 | Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in God’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that Joseph’s prostration was not an act of extraordinary humility but a simple discharge of duty required by God and nature. He rejects the idea that showing respect to a frail parent is meritorious, insisting it is merely obligatory for any child in such circumstances. Clarke views this as basic decency rather than spiritual excellence.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin identifies the Angel who redeemed Jacob in verse 16 as Christ himself, not a created angel. He argues that Jacob offers divine worship to this Angel, equating him with God, which would be absurd for any mere angel. For Calvin, this Angel is the eternal Mediator through whom the patriarchs approached God.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary argues that Jacob’s crossed hands were a deliberate, supernatural act rather than a mistake caused by blindness or confusion. By placing his right hand on the younger Ephraim, he intentionally reversed the natural order of primogeniture to establish a new tribal hierarchy. This gesture served as an irrevocable legal transfer of rights and privileges within the family structure.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes stress that Jacob deliberately crossed his hands to place the younger Ephraim ahead of Manasseh, signaling God’s free election contrary to natural birth order. The blessing invokes both God and the Angel who redeemed Jacob from all evil, showing Christ as the covenant mediator who bestows the promised blessing.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that Jacob, though nearly blind, deliberately crossed his hands under divine inspiration to place the greater blessing on the younger Ephraim over Manasseh. He also identifies the Angel who redeemed Jacob as the eternal Son of God, the Angel of the covenant, not a created angel.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown observe that the writer of Hebrews singled out Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons as the most comprehensive example of his faith. The way Jacob deliberately crossed his hands while blessing them showed he was moved by the spirit of prophecy, not merely by natural affection.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch highlight Jacob's threefold divine reference—the God of his fathers, the God who shepherded him, and the Angel who redeemed him—as a foreshadowing of the Trinity. The Angel is equated with God, and the singular verb "bless" unites the three. This blessing transfers the patriarchs' true nature to the boys,
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange views Jacob’s cross-handed blessing as an act of divine illumination that required self-renunciation of natural wisdom. By placing the right hand on the younger Ephraim, Jacob acknowledged a higher authority that overruled the standard rights of the firstborn to fulfill God’s specific plan for Joseph’s lineage.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights Jacob’s deliberate choice to place his right hand on Ephraim, the younger son, despite Manasseh being the firstborn. This act demonstrates that divine blessing follows God’s sovereign will rather than human customs of primogeniture. The commentary emphasizes that spiritual privilege is determined by grace, not birth order or natural rights.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights how both Jacob and Joseph openly credit God for every comfort, even in hardship. He notes that blessings feel doubly sweet when traced back to God's hand, and that Jacob's crossing of hands was no mistake but a deliberate act of prophecy.