By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

HEBREWS 11:21KJV
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Hebrews 11:21 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:21 mean?

Hebrews 11:21 presents Jacob’s final blessing of Joseph’s sons as an act of faith. Near death, Jacob spoke a blessing over the next generation and worshipped God, showing that his trust reached beyond the end of his own life.

Joseph’s sons were Ephraim and Manasseh. In Genesis 48, Jacob placed his right hand on the younger Ephraim, even though Joseph expected that honor for the older Manasseh. The picture of Jacob leaning on his staff places his worship in the setting of old age and physical weakness.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:21

  • “blessed” — εὐλογέω (eulogeō): The word can mean to speak a blessing over someone. In Genesis 48, Jacob’s blessing included words about the future of Joseph’s sons.
  • “worshipped” — προσκυνέω (proskyneō): The word carries the sense of showing reverence, often by bowing down. It helps readers picture Jacob’s act as a gesture of honor toward God.

Why Hebrews 11:21 matters

  • Jacob’s blessing reached both sons. Genesis 48 shows Jacob giving the younger Ephraim the greater place, but Hebrews calls attention to Jacob’s blessing of “both the sons of Joseph.”
  • The verse places worship alongside the blessing. Jacob’s actions include both words directed toward the boys and reverence directed toward God.
  • Jacob’s place in the passage concerns a future he would not live to see. His blessing forms part of Hebrews 11’s account of people who trusted God concerning things still ahead.

Where else these words appear

“top” Greek G206 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
  • Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
  • Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

“staff” Greek G4464 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
  • Revelation 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

“Jacob” Greek G2384 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
  • Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
  • Acts 7:14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

“Joseph” Greek G2501 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
  • Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
  • John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.