And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
GENESIS 48:20KJVWhat does Genesis 48:20 mean?
Genesis 48:20 describes Jacob (also called Israel) blessing his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and declaring that future generations of Israelites will use their names as a blessing, saying, "God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh." Jacob deliberately gives Ephraim, the younger, priority over Manasseh, the older.
In this scene, Jacob is near the end of his life and is speaking to Joseph’s two sons. By blessing them in this way, Jacob is not only giving them a special place among his descendants but also setting a pattern for future blessings in Israel. The verse highlights the reversal of the usual order, as Jacob "set Ephraim before Manasseh," which means he gave the younger son the greater blessing.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 48:20
- "blessed" (בָּרַךְ, bārach): This word means to bestow favor or speak good over someone. Here, it shows Jacob giving a formal, significant blessing that has lasting meaning for the family and the nation.
- "set" (שִׂים, sîm): This word means to place or appoint. Jacob "set" Ephraim before Manasseh, emphasizing his deliberate choice to give the younger son the higher status.
- "before" (פָּנִים, pānîm): Often translated as "before" or "in the presence of," this word underlines that Ephraim was given precedence or priority over Manasseh in the blessing.
Why Genesis 48:20 matters
- Genesis 48:20 clears up the idea that birth order always determined blessing or status in ancient Israel; Jacob’s choice shows that God’s purposes can override tradition.
- The verse connects to the larger story of Jacob’s own life, where he, the younger son, also received the blessing over his older brother Esau, highlighting a recurring theme in Genesis.
- This blessing becomes a traditional way for Jewish parents to bless their sons, showing the lasting impact of Jacob’s words on later generations.