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Gen. 48:1–49:28 When Jacob is very old and close to death, he pronounces a variety of blessings on his sons. He first blesses Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (ch. 48), and then all his own sons (49:1–28).
Gen. 48:3–7 Jacob refers to the appearance of God at Bethel, recalling God’s promises there (see 28:13–15). He elevates his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh to the status of full sons, on par with Reuben and Simeon (48:5). Later, this will result in Joseph’s descendants being viewed as two separate tribes. When the land in Canaan is assigned (Joshua 13–21), Joseph’s descendants receive one-sixth of the territory. This double portion confirms that Joseph was designated “firstborn” in place of Reuben (see 1 Chron. 5:1–2; and note on Gen. 35:22–23). By naming Ephraim before Manasseh (compare 48:1), Jacob anticipates what will happen in vv. 13–19.
Gen. 48:8–10 With his eyesight failing, Jacob finds it difficult to identify Joseph’s two sons.
Gen. 48:13–20 By placing his right hand on the head of Ephraim (v. 13), Jacob gives him priority over his older brother Manasseh (see 41:51–52). Joseph protests, thinking his father has mistakenly placed his right hand on the wrong head (48:17–18). Jacob insists that Ephraim should be blessed as the firstborn, meaning that the special family line traced throughout Genesis will continue through Ephraim’s descendants. The Ephraimites will become one of the leading tribes, with Joshua guiding the people into the Promised Land. But God will later reject the Ephraimites in favor of Judah (see Ps. 78:67–71).
Gen. 48:21–22 Jacob anticipates that, after his death, his family will return to Canaan. He gives Joseph one mountain slope that he took from the Amorites, possibly referring to 34:25–29 (see 33:18–19; Josh. 24:32).
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