Genesis 48:14

12 Then Joseph removed his sons from his father’s knees and bowed facedown.

13 And Joseph took both of them—with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand—and brought them close to him.

But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.

15 Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,

16 the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.
KJV
And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
WEB
Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
ASV
And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim`s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh`s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the first-born.
DARBY
But Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid [it] on Ephraim's head now he was the younger and his left hand on Manasseh's head; guiding his hands intelligently, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
BLB
And Israel stretched out his right hand and set [it] on the head of Ephraim—and he [was] the younger—and his left hand on the head of Manasseh; he acted wisely [with] his hands, for Manasseh [was] the firstborn.
ÅB
Og Israel rakte ut sin høyre hånd og la den på Efra'ims hode, enda han var den yngste, og sin venstre hånd på Manasses hode; han la sine hender slik med vilje, for Manasse var den førstefødte.
OTB
Men Israel strakte ut sin høyre hånd og la den på Efraims hode, som var den yngre, og krysset armene, la han sin venstre hånd på Manasses hode, selv om Manasse var den førstefødte.
B1930
Og Israel rakte ut sin høire hånd og la den på Efra'ims hode, enda han var den yngste, og sin venstre hånd på Manasses hode; han la sine hender således med vilje, for Manasse var den førstefødte.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 41:51

    Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.”

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  • Numbers 8:10

    You are to present the Levites before the LORD and have the Israelites lay their hands upon them.

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  • Deuteronomy 34:9

    Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

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  • Acts 6:6

    They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

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  • Genesis 48:18

    “Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 46:20

    Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

    Read in context
  • Luke 4:40

    At sunset, all who were ill with various diseases were brought to Jesus, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them.

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  • Exodus 15:6

    Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.

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