And 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.

GENESIS 48:13KJV
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Genesis 48:13 (KJV)

What does Genesis 48:13 mean?

Genesis 48:13 describes Joseph positioning his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, before his father Jacob (Israel) so that Manasseh, the older son, would be at Jacob’s right hand and Ephraim, the younger, at Jacob’s left. Joseph does this because the right hand was traditionally associated with the greater blessing.

In this scene, Joseph is bringing his sons to their grandfather Jacob, who is about to bless them. Joseph arranges the boys intentionally, expecting Jacob to give the primary blessing to Manasseh. The verse sets up the moment when Jacob will cross his hands, surprising Joseph and reversing the expected order of blessing.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 48:13

  • יָד (yad, “hand”) and שְׂמֹאל (semol, “left hand”): The verse carefully distinguishes between right and left hands, underlining the importance of which son receives which blessing. In ancient culture, the right hand symbolized favor and preeminence.
  • קָרַב (qarav, “brought near”): This word emphasizes Joseph’s deliberate action in bringing his sons close to Jacob for the blessing, highlighting the formality and significance of the moment.

Why Genesis 48:13 matters

  • Genesis 48:13 clarifies that Joseph expected the traditional order of blessing, with the firstborn (Manasseh) receiving the greater honor.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the unexpected action Jacob will take in the next verses, which becomes a key moment in the story of Israel’s tribes.
  • Understanding the careful arrangement of the sons helps explain Joseph’s later reaction and the significance of Jacob’s choice to bless Ephraim over Manasseh.

Where else these words appear

“hand” Hebrew H8040 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • Judges 7:20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

“near” Hebrew H5066 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Joshua 3:9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
  • 2 Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

“hand” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 7:39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.
  • Psalms 109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

“Manasseh” Hebrew H4519 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Joshua 17:6 Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.