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Genesis 48:18-20
EasyEnglish Bible
Genesis 48:18-20
EasyEnglish Bible
18 Joseph said to Jacob, ‘No, my father. This boy is the firstborn son. Put your right hand on his head.’
19 But Jacob refused to change. He said, ‘I know, my son. I know what I am doing. Manasseh will also have many descendants who become a great nation. But his younger brother, Ephraim, will become even greater. Ephraim's descendants will become many great nations.’
20 So Jacob blessed both of Joseph's sons that day. He said, ‘In your name Israel's people will give this blessing:
“May God be good to you, just like he was to Ephraim and Manasseh.” ’[a]
In this way, Jacob put Ephraim before Manasseh when he blessed them.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 48:20 Jacob is saying that God will do good things for Ephraim and Manasseh. And people will remember how good God was to them.
Genesis 48:18-20
New International Version
Genesis 48:18-20
New International Version
18 Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”(A)
19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great.(B) Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he,(C) and his descendants will become a group of nations.(D)” 20 He blessed(E) them that day(F) and said,
“In your[a] name will Israel(G) pronounce this blessing:(H)
‘May God make you like Ephraim(I) and Manasseh.(J)’”
So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
Footnotes
- Genesis 48:20 The Hebrew is singular.
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