Genesis 48:20 - He blessed them that day, saying, “In you will Israel bless, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’” He set Ephraim before Manasseh.
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What does "Genesis 48:20" mean?
This verse from Genesis 48:20 is a significant moment in the story of Jacob (Israel) blessing his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph. Let's break down what it means:
"He blessed them that day..." Jacob is performing a blessing ceremony, invoking God's favor upon Ephraim and Manasseh. This is not just a casual expression of goodwill, but a formal declaration with spiritual implications.
"...saying, 'In you will Israel bless, saying, 'God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh'" This is the formula for future blessings within the nation of Israel. Instead of saying "God bless you with wealth" or "God bless you with strength," people will invoke the names of Ephraim and Manasseh as examples of God's blessings. In other words, when parents bless their children, or anyone bestows a blessing, they'll say, "May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh." This is a way of wishing them prosperity, success, and favor in the eyes of God. The blessing is that they become the standard for which future blessing is sought.
"He set Ephraim before Manasseh." This is the crucial part. Manasseh was the older brother (the firstborn). Normally, the firstborn would receive the greater blessing and inherit the primary status. However, Jacob deliberately placed Ephraim, the younger brother, ahead of Manasseh in the blessing. This indicates that Ephraim would be the more prominent and influential of the two brothers in the future development of the Israelite tribes. This was a prophetic act that set the stage for the future prominence of the tribe of Ephraim.
Significance and Interpretation:
Reversal of Birth Order: Jacob's action demonstrates God's sovereignty and freedom to choose whom He will bless and how. It echoes other instances in the Old Testament where the younger is chosen over the elder (e.g., Jacob over Esau, David over his older brothers). It highlights that God's favor is not based on birth order or human expectations, but on His divine purpose.
Prophetic Foresight: The fact that Jacob placed Ephraim before Manasseh foreshadows the future history of the Israelite tribes. The tribe of Ephraim became one of the largest and most influential tribes in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often serving as a leading tribe and even a synonym for the entire Northern Kingdom. The Southern Kingdom continued to call itself the Kingdom of Judah.
Adoption into Israel: By blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob effectively adopted them as his own sons (replacing their father, Joseph, in the lineage). This granted them each a separate inheritance in the land of Canaan, giving Joseph a double portion (one for each of his sons). That gave Joseph, as the first born son of his father Jacob, a double blessing. The double blessing was given to the first born son. He replaced Rueben.
Continued Blessing: The verse illustrates the continuing promise and blessing that God bestows on Israel and their descendants. Even outside the land of Canaan, Jacob and Joseph were blessed, just like their parents were. The hope is that they will pass on the blessing to future generations.
In Summary:
Genesis 48:20 is a pivotal verse where Jacob, guided by God's spirit, establishes a new standard for blessing within Israel. He elevates Ephraim above Manasseh, despite the birth order, foreshadowing Ephraim's future prominence. The verse encapsulates themes of God's sovereignty, prophetic insight, and the enduring blessing promised to the descendants of Jacob.
Genesis 48:20 - He blessed them that day, saying, “In you will Israel bless, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’” He set Ephraim before Manasseh.
What does "Genesis 48:20" mean?
This verse from Genesis 48:20 is a significant moment in the story of Jacob (Israel) blessing his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph. Let's break down what it means:
"He blessed them that day..." Jacob is performing a blessing ceremony, invoking God's favor upon Ephraim and Manasseh. This is not just a casual expression of goodwill, but a formal declaration with spiritual implications.
"...saying, 'In you will Israel bless, saying, 'God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh'" This is the formula for future blessings within the nation of Israel. Instead of saying "God bless you with wealth" or "God bless you with strength," people will invoke the names of Ephraim and Manasseh as examples of God's blessings. In other words, when parents bless their children, or anyone bestows a blessing, they'll say, "May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh." This is a way of wishing them prosperity, success, and favor in the eyes of God. The blessing is that they become the standard for which future blessing is sought.
"He set Ephraim before Manasseh." This is the crucial part. Manasseh was the older brother (the firstborn). Normally, the firstborn would receive the greater blessing and inherit the primary status. However, Jacob deliberately placed Ephraim, the younger brother, ahead of Manasseh in the blessing. This indicates that Ephraim would be the more prominent and influential of the two brothers in the future development of the Israelite tribes. This was a prophetic act that set the stage for the future prominence of the tribe of Ephraim.
Significance and Interpretation:
Reversal of Birth Order: Jacob's action demonstrates God's sovereignty and freedom to choose whom He will bless and how. It echoes other instances in the Old Testament where the younger is chosen over the elder (e.g., Jacob over Esau, David over his older brothers). It highlights that God's favor is not based on birth order or human expectations, but on His divine purpose.
Prophetic Foresight: The fact that Jacob placed Ephraim before Manasseh foreshadows the future history of the Israelite tribes. The tribe of Ephraim became one of the largest and most influential tribes in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often serving as a leading tribe and even a synonym for the entire Northern Kingdom. The Southern Kingdom continued to call itself the Kingdom of Judah.
Adoption into Israel: By blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob effectively adopted them as his own sons (replacing their father, Joseph, in the lineage). This granted them each a separate inheritance in the land of Canaan, giving Joseph a double portion (one for each of his sons). That gave Joseph, as the first born son of his father Jacob, a double blessing. The double blessing was given to the first born son. He replaced Rueben.
Continued Blessing: The verse illustrates the continuing promise and blessing that God bestows on Israel and their descendants. Even outside the land of Canaan, Jacob and Joseph were blessed, just like their parents were. The hope is that they will pass on the blessing to future generations.
In Summary:
Genesis 48:20 is a pivotal verse where Jacob, guided by God's spirit, establishes a new standard for blessing within Israel. He elevates Ephraim above Manasseh, despite the birth order, foreshadowing Ephraim's future prominence. The verse encapsulates themes of God's sovereignty, prophetic insight, and the enduring blessing promised to the descendants of Jacob.