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Genesis 48:19

17 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.

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

But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”

20 So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.

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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.

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BSB
But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
KJV
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
WEB
His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a multitude of nations.”
ASV
And his father refused, and said, I know [it], my son, I know [it]. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: howbeit his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
DARBY
But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know: he also will become a people, and he also will be great; but truly his younger brother will be greater than he; and his seed will become the fulness of nations.
BLB
And his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know! He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. And yet, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become the fullness of the nations.”
ÅB
Men hans far ville ikke det, og han sa: Jeg vet det, min sønn, jeg vet det. Han skal og bli et folk, han skal og bli stor; men enda skal hans yngre bror bli større enn han, og hans etterkommere skal bli en mengde folkeslag.
OTB
Men hans far nektet og sa: "Jeg vet, min sønn, jeg vet. Han også skal bli et folk, og han også skal bli stor. Men hans yngre bror skal bli større enn han, og hans etterkommere skal bli en mengde av nasjoner."
B1930
Men hans far vilde ikke det, og han sa: Jeg vet det, min sønn, jeg vet det. Han skal og bli et folk, han skal og bli stor; men enda skal hans yngre bror bli større enn han, og hans ætt skal bli en mengde folkeslag.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 1:33–35

    those registered to the tribe of Ephraim numbered 40,500.

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  • Deuteronomy 33:17

    His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”

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  • Genesis 25:28

    Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

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  • Genesis 48:14

    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.

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  • Genesis 17:20–21

    As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

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  • Revelation 7:8

    from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

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  • Revelation 7:6

    from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

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  • Ezekiel 27:10

    Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put served as warriors in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls; they gave you splendor.

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