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Genesis 48:19

17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head.

18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.

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.

20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

21 And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto 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.

Compare

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 that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.

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  • Deuteronomy 33:17

    His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

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  • Genesis 25:28

    And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

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  • Genesis 48:14

    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.

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  • Genesis 17:20–21

    And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

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  • Revelation 7:8

    Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

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  • Revelation 7:6

    Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

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  • Ezekiel 27:10

    They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.

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