Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
Genesis 48
When Jacob falls ill, Joseph brings his two sons Ephraim and Manasse to him, and Jacob recalls the Lord's promise given to him at Luza and claims the two boys as his own alongside his other sons. Though Manasse is the elder, Jacob crosses his hands to lay his right hand on Ephraim's head, blessing both and declaring that Ephraim's descendants will become the greater multitude.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAFTER this when it was told Joseph, Thy father is sick, he took his two sons Manasses and Ephraim and went to Jacob.
BrentonAnd it came to pass after these things, that it was reported to Joseph, Behold, thy father is ill; and, having taken his two sons, Manasse and Ephraim, he came to Jacob.
GreekἘγένετο δὲ μετὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Ἰωσὴφ, ὅτι ὁ πατήρ σου ἐνοχλεῖται· καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τοὺς δύο υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ τὸν Μανασσῆ καὶ τὸν Ἐφραὶμ, ἦλθε πρὸς Ἰακώβ.
KJVAnd it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
JPSAnd it came to pass after these things, that one said to Joseph: ‘Behold, thy father is sick.’ And he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
2
ThomsonAnd when they told Jacob saying, Behold thy son Joseph is coming to thee, Israel strengthened himself and sat upon the bed.
BrentonAnd it was reported to Jacob, saying, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh to thee; and Israel having strengthened himself, sat upon the bed.
GreekἈπηγγέλη δὲ τῷ Ἰακὼβ, λέγοντες, ἰδοὺ ὁ υἱός σου Ἰωσὴφ ἔρχεται πρὸς σέ· καὶ ἐνισχύσας Ἰσραὴλ ἐκάθισεν ἐπὶ τὴν κλίνην.
KJVAnd one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
JPSAnd one told Jacob, and said: ‘Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee.’ And Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.
3
ThomsonAnd Jacob said to Joseph, My God appeared to me at Louza in the land of Chanaan and blessed me
BrentonAnd Jacob said to Joseph, My God appeared to me in Luza, in the land of Chanaan, and blessed me,
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἰακὼβ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ, ὁ Θεός μου ὤφθη μοι ἐν Λουζᾷ ἐν γῇ Χαναὰν, καὶ εὐλόγησέ με,
KJVAnd Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
JPSAnd Jacob said unto Joseph: ‘God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
4
Thomsonand said, Behold I will make thee fruitful and multiply thee and make thee a multitude of nations, and I will give thee this land even to thy seed after thee for a perpetual possession.
Brentonand said to me, Behold, I will increase thee, and multiply thee, and will make of thee multitudes of nations; and I will give this land to thee, and to thy seed after thee, for an everlasting possession.
Greekκαὶ εἶπέ μοι, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ αὐξανῶ σε, καὶ πληθυνῶ σε, καὶ ποιήσω σε εἰς συναγωγὰς ἐθνῶν· καὶ δώσω σοι τὴν γῆν ταύτην, καὶ τῷ σπέρματί σου μετὰ σὲ, εἰς κατάσχεσιν αἰώνιον.
KJVAnd said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
JPSand said unto me: Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a company of peoples; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.
5
ThomsonNow therefore thy two sons, who have been born to thee in the land of Egypt, before I came to thee into Egypt, are mine. Ephraim and Manasses, like Reuben and Symeon, shall be mine.
BrentonNow then thy two sons, who were born to thee in the land of Egypt, before I came to thee into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasse, as Ruben and Symeon they shall be mine.
GreekΝῦν οὖν οἱ δύο υἱοί σου, οἱ γενόμενοί σοι ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ πρὸ τοῦ με ἐλθεῖν πρός σε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, ἐμοί εἰσιν, Ἐφραὶμ καὶ Μανασσῆ· ὡς Ῥουβὴν καὶ Συμεὼν ἔσονταί μοι.
KJVAnd now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
JPSAnd now thy two sons, who were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, shall be mine.
6
ThomsonAnd the issue which thou mayst have after this shall go by the name of their brothers. They shall be enrolled in their inheritances.
BrentonAnd the children which thou shalt beget hereafter, shall be in the name of their brethren; they shall be named after their inheritances.
GreekΤὰ δὲ ἔκγονα, ἃ ἐὰν γεννήσῃς μετὰ ταῦτα, ἔσονται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτῶν· κληθήσονται ἐπὶ τοῖς ἐκείνων κλήροις.
KJVAnd thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
JPSAnd thy issue, that thou begettest after them, shall be thine; they shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance.
7
ThomsonNow when I came out of Syrian Mesopotamia Rachel thy mother died in the land of Chanaan, just as I drew near the race ground of Chabratha on the way to Ephratha. So I buried her in the way of the race ground the same is Bethlehem.
BrentonAnd as for me, when I came out of Mesopotamia of Syria, Rachel, thy mother, died in the land of Chanaan, as I drew nigh to the horse-course of Chabratha of the land of Chanaan, so as to come to Ephratha; and I buried her in the road of the course; this is Bethlehem.
GreekἘγὼ δὲ ἡνίκα ἠρχόμην ἐκ Μεσοποταμίας τῆς Συρίας, ἀπέθανε Ῥαχὴλ ἡ μήτηρ σου ἐν γῇ Χαναὰν, ἐγγίζοντός μου κατὰ τὸν ἱππόδρομον Χαβραθὰ τῆς γῆς, τοῦ ἐλθεῖν Ἐφραθά· καὶ κατώρυξα αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ ἱπποδρόμου· αὕτη ἐστὶ Βηθλεέμ.
KJVAnd as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
JPSAnd as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died unto me in the land of Canaan in the way, when there was still some way to come unto Ephrath; and I buried her there in the way to Ephrath—the same is Beth-lehem.’
8
ThomsonThen Israel seeing the sons of Joseph said, Who are these with thee?
BrentonAnd when Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he said, Who are these to thee?
GreekἸδὼν δὲ Ἰσραὴλ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰωσὴφ, εἶπε, τίνες σοι οὗτοι;
KJVAnd Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?
JPSAnd Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said: ‘Who are these?’
9
ThomsonAnd Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me here. Whereupon Jacob said, Bring them near to me that I may bless them.
BrentonAnd Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God gave me here; and Jacob said, Bring me them, that I may bless them.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἰωσὴφ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ, υἱοί μου εἰσὶν, οὓς ἔδωκε μοι ὁ Θεὸς ἐνταῦθα. Καὶ εἶπεν Ἰακὼβ, προσάγαγέ μοι αὐτοὺς, ἵνα εὐλογήσω αὐτούς.
KJVAnd Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.
JPSAnd Joseph said unto his father: ‘They are my sons, whom God hath given me here.’ And he said: ‘Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.’
10
ThomsonNow Israel’s eyes were dim by reason of old age and he could not see clearly. And when he brought them near to him, he kissed them and embraced them.
BrentonNow the eyes of Israel were dim through age, and he could not see; and he brought them near to him, and he kissed them, and embraced them.
GreekΟἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ δὲ Ἰσραὴλ ἐβαρυώπησαν ἀπὸ τοῦ γήρως, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο βλέπειν· καὶ ἤγγισεν αὐτοὺς πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐφίλησεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ περιέλαβεν αὐτους.
KJVNow the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
JPSNow the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
11
ThomsonAnd Israel said to Joseph, Lo! was I not deprived of thy presence? yet behold God hath shewn me even thy seed.
BrentonAnd Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I have not been deprived of seeing thy face, and lo! God has showed me thy seed also.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἰσραὴλ πρὸς Ἰωσὴφ, ἰδοὺ τοῦ προσώπου σου οὐκ ἐστερήθην, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔδειξέ μοι ὁ Θεὸς καὶ τὸ σπέρμα σου.
KJVAnd Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
JPSAnd Israel said unto Joseph: ‘I had not thought to see thy face; and, lo, God hath let me see thy seed also.’
12
ThomsonThen Joseph took them from his knees; and when they had made obeisance to him with their face to the ground,
BrentonAnd Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and they did reverence to him, with their face to the ground.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξήγαγεν αὐτοὺς Ἰωσὴφ ἀπὸ τῶν γονάτων αὐτοῦ· καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
KJVAnd Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
JPSAnd Joseph brought them out from between his knees; and he fell down on his face to the earth.
13
ThomsonJoseph taking his two sons, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel’s left and Manasses in his left hand towards Israel’s right, brought them near to him.
BrentonAnd Joseph took his two sons, both Ephraim in his right hand, but on the left of Israel, and Manasse on his left hand, but on the right of Israel, and brought them near to him.
GreekΛαβὼν δὲ Ἰωσὴφ τοὺς δύο υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ, τόν τε Ἐφραὶμ ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ, ἐξ ἀριστερῶν δὲ Ἰσραὴλ, τὸν δὲ Μανασσῆ ἐξ ἀριστερῶν, ἐκ δεξιῶν δὲ Ἰσραὴλ, ἤγγισεν αὐτοὺς αὐτῷ.
KJVAnd Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
JPSAnd Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
14
ThomsonBut Israel stretching out his right hand laid it on Ephraim’s head (now he was the youngest) and his left hand on Manasses’ head crossing his hands.
BrentonBut Israel having stretched out his right hand, laid it on the head of Ephraim, and he was the younger; and his left hand on the head of Manasse, guiding his hands crosswise.
GreekἘκτείνας δὲ Ἰσραὴλ τὴν χεῖρα τὴν δεξιὰν, ἐπέβαλεν ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν Ἐφραὶμ, οὗτος δὲ ἦν ὁ νεώτερος, καὶ τὴν ἀριστερὰν ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν Μανασσῆ, ἐναλλὰξ τὰς χεῖρας.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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 first-born.
15
ThomsonAnd he blessed them and said, The God Whom my fathers Abraham and Isaak worshipped—the God Who hath fed me from my youth to this day—
BrentonAnd he blessed them and said, The God in whose sight my fathers were well pleasing, even Abraam and Isaac, the God who continues to feed me from my youth until this day;
GreekΚαὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ εἶπεν, ὁ Θεὸς, ᾧ εὐηρέστησαν οἱ πατέρες μου ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, Ἁβραὰμ καὶ Ἰσαὰκ, ὁ Θεὸς ὁ τρέφων με ἐκ νεότητος ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης,
KJVAnd he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
JPSAnd he blessed Joseph, and said: ‘The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God who hath been my shepherd all my life long unto this day,
16
Thomsonthe Angel who delivered me from all evils, bless these children! And let them be called by my name and by the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaak; and may they be increased to a great multitude on the earth!
Brentonthe angel who delivers me from all evils, bless these boys, and my name shall be called upon them, and the name of my fathers, Abraam and Isaac; and let them be increased to a great multitude on the earth.
Greekὁ Ἄγγελος ὁ ῥυόμενός με ἐκ πάντων τῶν κακῶν, εὐλογήσαι τὰ παιδία ταῦτα· καὶ ἐπικληθήσεται ἐν αὐτοις τὸ ὄνομά μου, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τῶν πατέρων μου Ἁβραὰμ καὶ Ἰσαάκ· καὶ πληθυνθείησαν εἰς πλῆθος πολὺ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
KJVThe Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my 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.
JPSthe angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.’
17
ThomsonNow when Joseph saw that his father put his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it appeared amiss to him; and he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to the head of Manasses.
BrentonAnd Joseph having seen that his father put his right hand on the head of Ephraim—it seemed grievous to him; and Joseph took hold of the hand of his father, to remove it from the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasse.
GreekἸδὼν δὲ Ἰωσὴφ ὅτι ἐπέβαλεν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ τὴν χεῖρα τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν Ἐφραὶμ, βαρὺ αὐτῷ κατεφάνη· καὶ ἀντελάβετο Ἰωσὴφ τῆς χειρὸς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, ἀφελεῖν αὐτὴν ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς Ἐφραὶμ ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν Μανασσῆ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd when Joseph saw that his father was laying 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
ThomsonAnd Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father: for this is the first-born, put thy right hand on his head.
BrentonAnd Joseph said to his father, Not so, father; for this is the first-born; lay thy right-hand upon his head.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἰωσὴφ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ, οὐχ οὕτως, πατὴρ, οὗτος γὰρ ὁ πρωτότοκος· ἐπίθες τὴν δεξιάν σου ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
JPSAnd Joseph said unto his father: ‘Not so, my father, for this is the first-born; put thy right hand upon his head.’
19
ThomsonBut he refused and said, I know; my son; I know. This indeed will be a people and will be exalted. But his younger brother will be greater than he; and his seed will be a multitude of nations.
BrentonAnd he would not, but said, I know it, son, I know it; he also shall be a people, and he shall be exalted, but his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν, ἀλλʼ εἶπεν, οἶδα, τέκνον, οἶδα· καὶ οὗτος ἔσται εἰς λαὸν, καὶ οὗτος ὑψωθήσεται· ἀλλʼ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ νεώτερος μείζον αὐτοῦ ἔσται, καὶ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἔσται εἰς πλῆθος ἐθνῶν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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.’
20
ThomsonAnd he blessed them that day and said, By you Israel will bless saying, God make thee like Ephraim and Manasses. So he put Ephraim before Manasses.
BrentonAnd he blessed them in that day, saying, In you shall Israel be blessed, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and Manasse; and he set Ephraim before Manasse.
GreekΚαὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, λέγων, ἐν ὑμῖν εὐλογηθήσεται Ἰσραὴλ, λέγοντες, ποιήσαι σε ὁ Θεὸς ὡς Ἐφραὶμ καὶ ὡς Μανασσῆ· καὶ ἔθηκε τὸν Ἐφραὶμ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Μανασσῆ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd he blessed them that day, saying: ‘By thee shall Israel bless, saying: God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh.’ And he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
21
ThomsonThen Israel said to Joseph, Lo I die. But God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.
BrentonAnd Israel said to Joseph, Behold, I die; and God shall be with you, and restore you to the land of your fathers.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ἰσραὴλ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποθνήσκω· καὶ ἔσται ὁ Θεὸς μεθʼ ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀποστρέψει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν γῆν τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν.
KJVAnd Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
JPSAnd Israel said unto Joseph: ‘Behold, I die; but God will be with you, and bring you back unto the land of your fathers.
22
ThomsonNow to thee exclusively above thy brothers, I give Sikima, which I took out of the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.
BrentonAnd I give to thee Sicima, a select portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorites with my sword and bow.
GreekἘγὼ δὲ δίδωμί σοι Σίκιμα ἐξαίρετον ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἀδελφούς σου, ἣν ἔλαβον ἐκ χειρὸς Ἀμοῤῥαίων ἐν μαχαίρᾳ μου καὶ τόξῳ.
KJVMoreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.
JPSMoreover I have given to thee one aportion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.’