And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

GENESIS 48:5KJV
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Genesis 48:5 (KJV)

What does Genesis 48:5 mean?

Genesis 48:5 records Jacob telling Joseph that Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born in Egypt before Jacob arrived, will now be counted as Jacob’s own sons, just like Reuben and Simeon. This means Ephraim and Manasseh will each have a full share in the family inheritance, treated as heads of tribes in Israel.

In this verse, Jacob (also called Israel) is speaking to his son Joseph near the end of his life. The setting is Egypt, where Jacob’s family had relocated during a famine. By adopting Ephraim and Manasseh as his own, Jacob is giving Joseph’s sons a special status and ensuring that Joseph receives a double portion among the tribes of Israel.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 48:5

  • "sons" (בֵּן, ben): This word means "sons" or "children." Jacob is formally recognizing Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons, not just grandsons, which is significant for inheritance and tribal identity.
  • "Ephraim" (אֶפְרַיִם, Ephrayim) and "Manasseh" (מְנַשֶּׁה, Menashsheh): The specific naming of Joseph’s sons highlights their importance and sets up their future roles as founders of two separate tribes in Israel.
  • "Reuben" (רְאוּבֵן, Re’uven) and "Simeon" (שִׁמְעוֹן, Shim‘on): By comparing Ephraim and Manasseh to Jacob’s first two sons, Jacob is making clear that they will have equal standing with his other sons, not a lesser status as grandchildren.

Why Genesis 48:5 matters

  • Genesis 48:5 explains why there is no tribe of Joseph listed among the tribes of Israel; instead, his two sons each become tribal leaders, giving Joseph a double portion.
  • The verse shows Jacob’s authority to shape the family’s future, emphasizing the importance of blessing and inheritance in Israel’s history.
  • This adoption sets the stage for the blessings Jacob gives in the following verses and explains the unique structure of the twelve tribes in later biblical accounts.

Where else these words appear

“Simeon” Hebrew H8095 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 29:33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
  • Numbers 1:22 Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
  • Judges 1:3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.

“Reuben” Hebrew H7205 · used in 68 verses

  • Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
  • Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
  • Joshua 22:9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

“before” Hebrew H5704 · used in 97 verses

  • Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  • 1 Samuel 20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
  • Job 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

“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.