Gen 48:13-22 | Geneva

Genesis 48:13-22

And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid [it] upon {d} Ephraim's head, who [was] the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh [was] the firstborn.

(d) God's judgments are often contrary to man's and he prefers what man despises. The {e} Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my {f} name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

(e) This angel must be understood to be Christ, as in Ge 31:13,32:1. (f) Let them be taken as my children. And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it {g} displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.

(g) Joseph fails by binding God's grace to the order of nature. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as {h} Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

(h) In whom God's graces should manifestly appear. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of {i} your fathers.

(i) Which they had by faith in the promise. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which {k} I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

(k) By my children whom God spared for my sake.