And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.

GENESIS 50:23KJV
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Genesis 50:23 (KJV)

What does Genesis 50:23 mean?

Genesis 50:23 describes how Joseph lived long enough to see his great-grandchildren from Ephraim and also cared for the children of Machir, Manasseh’s son, as if they were his own. This verse highlights Joseph’s extended family and his close, nurturing relationship with the next generations.

Joseph is nearing the end of his life in Egypt, and the verse shows that he witnessed his family’s growth and stability after years of hardship. The phrase about children being “brought up upon Joseph’s knees” suggests a personal, grandfatherly involvement, showing Joseph as a respected elder who had a direct hand in raising his descendants.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 50:23

  • בִּרְכַּיִם (birkaim, “knees”): This word points to a traditional gesture of affection or adoption in ancient times, where children sitting on someone’s knees could symbolize being accepted or blessed by that elder.
  • יֻלְּדוּ (yullədu, “were brought up” or “were born”): This word can mean to be born or to be raised, and in this verse, it emphasizes Joseph’s role in nurturing or possibly adopting Machir’s children, not just witnessing their birth.

Why Genesis 50:23 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joseph’s legacy extended beyond his own sons to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, showing the fulfillment of God’s promise to multiply his family.
  • The detail about Joseph’s involvement with Machir’s children highlights the unity and care within the tribes of Israel, connecting Joseph’s story to the future tribes that will become central in Israel’s history.
  • By mentioning both Ephraim and Manasseh’s descendants, the verse sets the stage for their importance in later biblical narratives, especially as leading tribes in Israel.

Where else these words appear

“third” Hebrew H8029 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
  • Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
  • Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

“Machir” Hebrew H4353 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 26:29 Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.
  • Joshua 13:31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
  • 2 Samuel 17:27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

“knees” Hebrew H1290 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 30:3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
  • 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
  • Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

“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.