Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 48בראשית 48

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Adoption, patriarchal blessing, remembered promise, and the divinely sanctioned reversal of expected primogeniture are gathered together here in one of Genesis' most concentrated transmission scenes. Jacob is weak in body yet unusually clear in covenant memory: he recalls the appearance of El Shaddai at Luz, reasserts the land promise, adopts Joseph's two sons as his own, and then deliberately crosses his hands so that the younger Ephraim receives the right-hand precedence over Manasseh. This movement therefore does more than record a grandfather's farewell affection. It shows the future structure of Israel being shaped in the shadow of death and in continuity with the older pattern by which God repeatedly overturns ordinary expectations of rank. Joseph's Egyptian sons are not left as marginal descendants outside the core inheritance, but are drawn fully into Israel's tribal future. At the same time, Jacob's words continue to orient the family beyond Egypt: God will be with them, will bring them back to the land of their fathers, and the inheritance remains bound to the promise first given in Canaan. Blessing, adoption, reversal, multiplication, and return are thus interwoven here, making the narrative a decisive bridge between patriarchal memory and national destiny.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Jacob's final blessing scene with Joseph and his sons is framed here by remembered promise and by a deliberate reordering of expectation within the next generation. Verse 1 opens with illness-notice and Joseph's taking of Manasseh and Ephraim, making the narrative's movement explicitly anticipatory of deathbed transmission. Verse 2's note that Israel strengthens himself and sits upon the bed should retain its dignity and resolve rather than sounding merely physical. In verses 3-4 Jacob anchors the whole scene not in sentiment but in revelation at Luz. El Shaddai, fruitfulness, a company of peoples, and the everlasting land-grant all reappear, and the blessing of the grandsons is made to stand under that older divine word. Verse 5 is therefore crucial: Ephraim and Manasseh are declared Jacob's in a way parallel to Reuben and Simeon. The adoption language should remain forceful enough to show that Joseph's two sons are being elevated into full tribal standing. Verse 6 then limits the scope by assigning later offspring under their brothers' names and inheritance. Verse 7's recollection of Rachel's death is emotionally compressed and interpretively important; it binds Joseph's maternal line, the Canaan road, and burial memory into the adoption scene. Verses 8-10 should preserve both Jacob's dim sight and his real recognition. Verse 8's 'Who are these?' is not empty ignorance but ceremonial identification before blessing, and verse 10's kissing and embracing intensify the scene's familial tenderness. Verse 11's confession that Jacob had not expected to see Joseph's face, and now has been shown Joseph's seed as well, deepens the narrative's sense of unexpected divine abundance. Verses 13-14 form the narrative hinge. Joseph arranges the boys according to conventional seniority, but Israel crosses his hands deliberately. The clause שִׂכֵּל אֶת־יָדָיו is especially important and should preserve the sense of intentional, knowing placement rather than accidental confusion. In verses 15-16 the blessing itself gathers one of the richest triads in Genesis: the God before whom Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has shepherded Jacob all his life, and the angel who redeemed him from all evil. The blessing falls on 'the boys,' yet verse 15 can say that Jacob blessed Joseph, because the sons carry Joseph forward. Verse 16's 'let my name be named on them' and the concluding fish-like multiplication verb וידגו are both significant; the latter should retain its unusual metaphorical force rather than being flattened into generic increase. Verses 17-19 then make explicit that Joseph perceives the crossed-hands act as a problem, while Jacob insists that the younger will surpass the elder. The repetition 'I know, my son, I know' is central to the narrative's portrayal of conscious reversal rather than failing perception. Verse 19's מלא הגוים is an important crux and should be rendered with care as fullness of nations, multitude of nations, or similar language of expansive posterity. Verse 20 turns the act into future liturgical memory, since Israel will bless by invoking Ephraim and Manasseh together, yet with Ephraim set before Manasseh. Verses 21-22 close by returning to the larger promise: Jacob is dying, but God will be with the family and bring them back to the land of their fathers. The final gift of one שכם above the brothers and the line about taking it from the Amorite with sword and bow remain much discussed; the wording should be preserved soberly without pretending to resolve every historical and interpretive question in translation alone. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיְהִ֗י אַחֲרֵי֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לְיוֹסֵ֔ף הִנֵּ֥ה אָבִ֖יךָ חֹלֶ֑ה וַיִּקַּ֞ח אֶת שְׁנֵ֤י בָנָיו֙ עִמּ֔וֹ אֶת מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה וְאֶת אֶפְרָֽיִם

And it happened after these things that someone said to Joseph, 'Behold, your father is sick.' And he took his two sons with him, Manasseh and Ephraim.

Joseph is summoned into a deathbed transition with Manasseh and Ephraimוַיְהִ֗י
The illness notice prepares a scene of transmission, and Joseph comes not alone but with the two sons whose future standing is about to be determined.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol narrative opener→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; the idiomatic formula וַיְהִי opens a new episode, here the deathbed transmission scene.
אַחֲרֵי֙afterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prep (fronted)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; with הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה a standard temporal frame for a new narrative unit.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe thingsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Object of prep אַחֲרֵידָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; here 'things' meaning prior events, specifically the patriarchal settlement in Egypt (ch. 47).
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + dem pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrativeאֵלֶּה (H428) common plural demonstrative 'these'; retrospects to the prior narrative events.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; subject impersonal (unnamed messenger), a common Hebrew narrative convention.
לְיוֹסֵ֔ףto Josephprep לְ + proper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130) 'Joseph'; son of Jacob and Rachel, viceroy of Egypt, whose sons are brought here for adoption.
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdinterjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; calls attention to a new state of affairs, directing the hearer's perception.
אָבִ֖יךָyour fatherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of ptc חֹלֶהאָב (H1) 'father'; addressed to Joseph — Jacob's terminal illness triggers the transmission of covenantal privilege to the next generation.
חֹלֶ֑הis sickQal ptc m sg abs · חָלָה (H2470)Predicate ptc (stative)→ Participle: ongoing state — is and remains gravely illחָלָה (H2470) 'to be sick, weak, ill'; Qal ptc functions as stative predicate announcing Jacob's terminal condition before the blessing scene.
וַיִּקַּ֞חand he tookconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; Joseph deliberately brings both sons to the deathbed, making the adoption possible.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
שְׁנֵ֤יboth/twonumeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral in construct (head)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; in construct שְׁנֵי before ms noun — both sons are presented together, the collective inclusion anticipating the double adoption.
בָנָיו֙his sonsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Joseph's two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, born in Egypt before Jacob arrived (v. 5).
עִמּ֔וֹwith himprep עִם + 3ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Accompaniment prep phraseעִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; Joseph keeps the sons at his side for their formal presentation to the patriarch.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (appositive list)
מְנַשֶּׁ֖הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Direct object (firstborn, appositive)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519) from נָשָׁה 'to forget'; Joseph named him declaring God had made him forget his hardship (Gen 41:51); listed first as the elder.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conj + direct-object marker
אֶפְרָֽיִםEphraimproper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Direct object (secondborn, appositive)אֶפְרַיִם (H669) from פָּרָה 'to be fruitful'; Joseph named him declaring God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction (Gen 41:52).
2

וַיַּגֵּ֣ד לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּ֛ה בִּנְךָ֥ יוֹסֵ֖ף בָּ֣א אֵלֶ֑יךָ וַיִּתְחַזֵּק֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב עַל הַמִּטָּֽה

And it was told to Jacob, and it was said, 'Behold, your son Joseph is coming to you.' Then Israel strengthened himself and sat up on the bed.

Israel gathers strength when Joseph’s arrival is announcedוַיַּגֵּד
The weakened patriarch acts deliberately, showing that what follows is not passive fading but intentional final ordering.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיַּגֵּ֣דand it was toldconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַד (H5046)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046) 'to tell, report'; Hiphil 'to announce, cause to know'; subject impersonal — someone brought Jacob the news.
לְיַעֲקֹ֔בto Jacobprep לְ + proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Indirect object of וַיַּגֵּדיַעֲקֹב (H3290) 'Jacob,' from עָקַב 'heel/supplant'; both names Jacob and Israel are used in this chapter — Jacob for personal, Israel for patriarchal-covenantal role.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand it was saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; again impersonal, continuing the same reporting chain as וַיַּגֵּד.
הִנֵּ֛הbeholdinterjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; draws Jacob's full attention to Joseph's imminent arrival.
בִּנְךָ֥your sonN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of ptc בָּאבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; addressed to Jacob — 'your son' singles out Joseph as the one coming, initiating the reception.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Appositive proper nounיוֹסֵף (H3130); specifies which son — Joseph alone is the subject of this reunion and this chapter's adoption scene.
בָּ֣אis comingQal ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate ptc (imminent)→ Participle: imminent/progressive — on his way to you nowבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; Qal ptc used for progressive approach or near-future arrival.
אֵלֶ֑יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prep phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the direction of Joseph's approach — toward Jacob, not merely in Egypt.
וַיִּתְחַזֵּק֙and strengthened himselfconj וְ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · חָזַק (H2388)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded; Hitpael reflexive — volitional self-exertionחָזַק (H2388) 'to be strong, prevail'; Hitpael 'to strengthen oneself,' showing deliberate resolve — the patriarch's actions are conscious, not passive.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיִּתְחַזֵּק and וַיֵּשֶׁביִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) name given at Peniel (Gen 32:29); its use here signals the patriarch acting in his covenantal capacity as the one who blesses the tribal future.
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁבand sat upconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; sitting up on the bed is an act of dignified reception — the patriarch receives Joseph in a position of authority despite infirmity.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prep phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; marks the surface on which Israel repositions himself to receive Joseph and the boys.
הַמִּטָּֽהthe bedart + N f sg abs · מִטָּה (H4296)Object of prep עַלמִטָּה (H4296) 'bed, couch'; the deathbed is the recurring site of patriarchal transmission in Gen 47–49, first mentioned in 47:31.
3

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יַעֲקֹב֙ אֶל יוֹסֵ֔ף אֵ֥ל שַׁדַּ֛י נִרְאָֽה אֵלַ֥י בְּל֖וּז בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וַיְבָ֖רֶךְ אֹתִֽי

And Jacob said to Joseph, 'El Shaddai appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,'

Jacob begins by recalling the divine appearance at Luzוַיֹּ֤אמֶר
Before speaking of the boys, Jacob grounds the whole meeting in the revelation and blessing once given in Canaan.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob's speech opens immediately — no preparation, since he has been waiting for this moment.
יַעֲקֹב֙Jacobproper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריַעֲקֹב (H3290) 'Jacob'; the personal name is used here as he recounts his private encounter with God at Bethel.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prep (speech recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Joseph as the addressee of Jacob's speech about the Bethel theophany.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130); Jacob addresses his son directly, making him heir to the knowledge of the divine promise.
אֵ֥לEl/GodN m sg constr · אֵל (H410)Subject of נִרְאָה (construct with שַׁדַּי)אֵל (H410) 'God, deity'; in construct before שַׁדַּי forming the divine name אֵל שַׁדַּי — the patriarchal name par excellence for the God of blessing and fruitfulness.
שַׁדַּ֛יShaddaiproper noun · שַׁדַּי (H7706)Divine name (genitival to אֵל)שַׁדַּי (H7706) 'Almighty' or 'God of the mountains'; the characteristic patriarchal name for God (cf. Gen 17:1; 28:3; 35:11) associated with the promises of fruitfulness and land.
נִרְאָֽהappearedNiphal perf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive theophanic actרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Niphal 'to appear, be seen' — the standard formula for divine self-disclosure (cf. Gen 12:7; 17:1; 26:2); El Shaddai's appearance was the originating event for the whole tribal program.
אֵלַ֥יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prep phrase (recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Jacob as the recipient of the theophany — personal divine disclosure grounding the adoption.
בְּל֖וּזat Luzprep בְּ + proper noun · לוּז (H3870)Locative prep phraseלוּז (H3870) 'Luz,' the Canaanite name of the city renamed Bethel by Jacob (Gen 28:19; 35:6); the theophany at Luz is recorded in Gen 35:9–12.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prep phrase (specifying Luz)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; in construct before כְּנַעַן — the promised land, not Egypt, is the site of the founding revelation.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanproper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitival proper nounכְּנַעַן (H3667) 'Canaan'; the land of promise contrasted with Egypt, where the blessing is now being transmitted; its mention anchors the adoption in the land-promise.
וַיְבָ֖רֶךְand he blessedconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel intensive — a formal, consequential act of divine blessing conferring fruitfulness and land; cf. the full content recalled in v. 4.
אֹתִֽיmeobj marker + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffixאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 1cs suffix 'me'; Jacob is the direct recipient of divine blessing, which he now passes forward through the adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh.
4

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י הִנְנִ֤י מַפְרְךָ֙ וְהִרְבִּיתִ֔ךָ וּנְתַתִּ֖יךָ לִקְהַ֣ל עַמִּ֑ים וְנָ֨תַתִּ֜י אֶת הָאָ֧רֶץ הַזֹּ֛את לְזַרְעֲךָ֥ אַחֲרֶ֖יךָ אֲחֻזַּ֥ת עוֹלָֽם

'and he said to me, Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make you into an assembly of peoples, and I will give this land to your seed after you as an everlasting possession.'

The remembered promise of fruitfulness, peoples, and land is restatedוַיֹּ֣אמֶר
The adoption and blessing of Joseph’s sons are set explicitly beneath the older covenant word of multiplication and inheritance.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; continues Jacob's quotation of the divine speech at Bethel, now specifying the content of the blessing received.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prep phrase (speech recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Jacob as the one to whom El Shaddai spoke — the covenant is personal and historically situated.
הִנְנִ֤יbehold, Iinterjection + 1cs suffix · הֵן (H2005)Presentative particle (divine self-introduction)הֵן (H2005) 'behold'; with 1cs suffix הִנְנִי a formula of divine readiness or commitment — 'here I am, ready to act'; introduces the enumerated promises.
מַפְרְךָ֙making you fruitfulHiphil ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · פָּרָה (H6509)Predicate ptc (first promise)→ Participle: ongoing divine commitment — 'I am the one making you fruitful'פָּרָה (H6509) 'to be fruitful, bear fruit'; Hiphil 'to make fruitful'; echoes the fruitfulness promises of Gen 17:6 and 28:3 — the foundational patriarchal blessing.
וְהִרְבִּיתִ֔ךָand will multiply youconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs + 2ms suffix · רָבָה (H7235)Weqatal: sequential promise→ Weqatal: perfective-sequential — certain future multiplicationרָבָה (H7235) 'to be many, increase'; Hiphil 'to multiply'; the pairing of פָּרָה and רָבָה echoes the creation mandate (Gen 1:28) now applied to patriarchal descent.
וּנְתַתִּ֖יךָand will make youconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs + 2ms suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal: third sequential promise→ Weqatal: certain future fulfillmentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, make, place'; here 'I will make you' — God transforms Jacob's individual line into a collective of peoples, a tribal assembly.
לִקְהַ֣לinto an assembly ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Predicate prep phrase (result of נָתַן)קָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation, community'; in construct before עַמִּים — the promise of becoming a קְהַל עַמִּים is distinctive to this passage (cf. Gen 28:3 קְהַל עַמִּים).
עַמִּ֑יםof peoplesN m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitival noun (of assembly)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; the plural envisions Israel branching into multiple tribal entities, which the adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh begins to realize.
וְנָ֨תַתִּ֜יand will giveconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal: land-grant promise→ Weqatal: certain future fulfillmentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; now used for the grant of the land — the second great element of the Abrahamic covenant (fruitfulness + land) is restated to anchor the adoption scene.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָאָ֧רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּיאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; with the article specifying the promised land of Canaan, the inheritance promised to Abraham and now restated to Jacob.
הַזֹּ֛אתthisart + dem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrativeזֹאת (H2063) feminine singular demonstrative 'this'; specifies the particular land where the theophany occurred — Canaan, not Egypt.
לְזַרְעֲךָ֥to your seedprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Indirect object (beneficiary)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring, descendants'; the collective singular encompasses all of Jacob's posterity, including the newly adopted grandsons.
אַחֲרֶ֖יךָafter youprep אַחַר + 2ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prep phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after'; 'your seed after you' is the standard Abrahamic-covenant formula for multigenerational inheritance (cf. Gen 17:7–8).
אֲחֻזַּ֥תas a possession ofN f sg constr · אֲחֻזָּה (H272)Predicate noun (appositive to הָאָרֶץ)אֲחֻזָּה (H272) 'holding, possession, property'; from אָחַז 'to grasp'; in construct before עוֹלָם — a term for heritable real property, here applied to the land grant.
עוֹלָֽםeverlastingN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Genitival noun (duration of possession)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'eternity, perpetuity, age'; אֲחֻזַּת עוֹלָם 'everlasting possession' — the permanence of the land grant is emphasized to contrast with Israel's temporary sojourn in Egypt.
5

וְעַתָּ֡ה שְׁנֵֽי בָנֶיךָ֩ הַנּוֹלָדִ֨ים לְךָ֜ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם עַד בֹּאִ֥י אֵלֶ֛יךָ מִצְרַ֖יְמָה לִי הֵ֑ם אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ וּמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה כִּרְאוּבֵ֥ן וְשִׁמְע֖וֹן יִֽהְיוּ לִֽי

'And now your two sons, the ones born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, they are mine. Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine like Reuben and Simeon.'

Ephraim and Manasseh are claimed as Jacob’s own sonsוְעַתָּ֡ה
The decisive act of elevation is spoken plainly: Joseph’s two Egyptian-born sons are inserted into Israel’s tribal structure alongside the older sons.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְעַתָּ֡הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal-logical connectiveעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; with וְ the phrase transitions from recalled promise (vv. 3–4) to present decisive action — 'and now' marks the move from foundation to application.
שְׁנֵֽיtwo ofnumeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral in construct (subject head)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; in construct שְׁנֵי before ms noun — both sons together are the subject of Jacob's adoption decree.
בָנֶיךָ֩your sonsN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct with שְׁנֵי)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; addressed to Joseph — 'your two sons' will be transferred from Joseph's fatherhood into Jacob's own tribal line.
הַנּוֹלָדִ֨יםwho were bornart + Niphal ptc m pl abs · יָלַד (H3205)Attributive ptc (relative clause)→ Participle: descriptive — born and thus currently alive in Egyptיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, beget'; Niphal 'to be born'; the articular ptc functions as a relative clause identifying the sons as Egypt-born, which makes their adoption into Canaan's tribal inheritance all the more significant.
לְךָ֜to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (prep)Dative of advantageThe lamed with 2ms suffix 'to you' indicates Joseph as the father to whom the sons were born, the bond the adoption now extends upward to Jacob.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prep phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; their birth in Egypt's land rather than Canaan could have disqualified them from tribal standing — the adoption overrides this.
מִצְרַ֗יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitival proper nounמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the dual form may reflect the two regions of Upper and Lower Egypt; named to signal their birth outside the promised land.
עַדbefore/untilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prep (boundary)עַד (H5704) 'until, up to, as far as'; with בֹּאִי 'before my coming' — Jacob's arrival in Egypt is the temporal boundary marking which sons qualify for the adoption.
בֹּאִ֥יmy comingQal inf constr + 1cs suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Inf constr (object of עַד)→ Infinitive construct: verbal noun denoting the act of comingבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; inf constr + 1cs suffix 'my coming' — Jacob's descent to Egypt (Gen 46) is the temporal marker.
אֵלֶ֛יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prep phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; Jacob came to Joseph in Egypt — the directional suffix emphasizes Joseph as the purpose of the descent.
מִצְרַ֖יְמָהinto Egyptproper noun + directional ה · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Directional locativeמִצְרַיִם (H4714) with directional ה 'toward/into Egypt'; the directional suffix marks movement toward Egypt, reinforcing the geographical distance from the promised land.
לִיmineprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְ (prep)Predicate prep phraseLamed of possession with 1cs suffix — 'they are mine'; this is the formal adoption declaration, inserting Ephraim and Manasseh into Jacob's own family.
הֵ֑םthey arepers pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Copulative pronoun (subject)הֵם (H1992) 3mp independent pronoun 'they'; functions as copula in a verbless clause 'they are mine,' a simple but legally forceful declaration of adoption.
אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙Ephraimproper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Subject (appositive to הֵם)אֶפְרַיִם (H669) 'Ephraim'; named first in the clause, though he is the younger — the reversal of expected order is already latent here before vv. 13–19 make it explicit.
וּמְנַשֶּׁ֔הand Manassehconj וְ + proper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Conjoined subjectמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519) 'Manasseh'; named second here, though the elder; the pairing of the two names becomes Israel's standard blessing formula (v. 20).
כִּרְאוּבֵ֥ןlike Reubenprep כְּ + proper noun · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Comparative prep phraseרְאוּבֵן (H7205) 'Reuben,' Jacob's firstborn; the comparison places Ephraim and Manasseh at the same rank as Jacob's natural firstborn — a full tribal elevation.
וְשִׁמְע֖וֹןand Simeonconj וְ + proper noun · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)Conjoined comparisonשִׁמְעוֹן (H8095) 'Simeon,' Jacob's second son; by comparing Ephraim and Manasseh to Reuben and Simeon, Jacob inserts two sons of Joseph into the first tier of the tribal inheritance.
יִֽהְיוּshall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: declarative future — the adoption takes immediate effectהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; Qal impf 3mp functions here as a performative or declarative future — 'they shall be mine,' not merely a prediction but a constitutive decree.
לִֽיmineprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְ (prep)Predicate prep phraseLamed of possession repeated from v. 11 for emphasis — the doubled declaration לִי הֵם ... יִהְיוּ לִי frames the adoption with the same claim.
6

וּמוֹלַדְתְּךָ֛ אֲשֶׁר הוֹלַ֥דְתָּ אַחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם לְךָ֣ יִהְי֑וּ עַ֣ל שֵׁ֧ם אֲחֵיהֶ֛ם יִקָּרְא֖וּ בְּנַחֲלָתָֽם

'But your offspring whom you have fathered after them shall be yours; they shall be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance.'

Later offspring remain Joseph’s but inherit under the names of the first twoוּמוֹלַדְתְּךָ֛
The adoption is forceful but bounded, preserving tribal order while distinguishing the special status of Ephraim and Manasseh.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּמוֹלַדְתְּךָ֛but your offspringconj וְ + N f sg constr + 2ms suffix · מוֹלֶדֶת (H4138)Subject (contrastive)מוֹלֶדֶת (H4138) 'offspring, birth, kindred'; from יָלַד 'to bear'; refers to children born to Joseph after Ephraim and Manasseh — the adoption is bounded, not unlimited.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (introducing clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, which, that'; standard Hebrew relative marker introducing the temporal relative clause 'whom you fathered after them.'
הוֹלַ֥דְתָּyou fatheredHiphil perf 2ms · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed action — children already conceived or to be born laterיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, beget'; Hiphil 'to father, cause to be born'; with 2ms subject Joseph — any sons born to Joseph after these two are being specifically excluded from the adoption.
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֖םafter themprep אַחַר + 3mp suffix · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prep phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after'; 'after them' — after Ephraim and Manasseh; any later children of Joseph will not share their elevated tribal status.
לְךָ֣yoursprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (prep)Predicate prep phrase (possession)Lamed of possession with 2ms suffix — 'shall be yours'; later offspring remain Joseph's children, not elevated to tribal-patriarch status.
יִהְי֑וּshall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: declarative — ongoing possessionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; Qal impf 3mp as declarative future, parallel to v. 5 יִהְיוּ לִי, now reversed: they shall be Joseph's, not Jacob's.
עַ֣לby/underprep · עַל (H5921)Prep phrase (manner/association)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over, by'; here 'by the name of' — the later offspring will be named under their brothers' tribal names for purposes of inheritance.
שֵׁ֧םthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain headשֵׁם (H8034) 'name, reputation'; 'by the name of their brothers' means the later offspring will be registered within Ephraim's or Manasseh's tribal allotment for inheritance purposes.
אֲחֵיהֶ֛םtheir brothersN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אָח (H251)Genitival nounאָח (H251) 'brother'; refers to Ephraim and Manasseh — the later siblings will take their names and territorial identities from these two adopted sons.
יִקָּרְא֖וּthey shall be calledNiphal impf 3mp · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future ongoing identificationקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; Niphal 'to be called, be named'; tribal naming is formal and determinative for inheritance — they will be counted within Ephraim's or Manasseh's portions.
בְּנַחֲלָתָֽםin their inheritanceprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Locative prep phraseנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, portion, possession'; from נָחַל 'to inherit'; the later offspring will receive their land within the tribal allotments of Ephraim and Manasseh respectively.
7

וַאֲנִ֣י בְּבֹאִ֣י מִפַּדָּ֗ן מֵ֩תָה֩ עָלַ֨י רָחֵ֜ל בְּאֶ֤רֶץ כְּנַ֨עַן֙ בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ בְּע֥וֹד כִּבְרַת אֶ֖רֶץ לָבֹ֣א אֶפְרָ֑תָה וָאֶקְבְּרֶ֤הָ שָּׁם֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אֶפְרָ֔ת הִ֖וא בֵּ֥ית לָֽחֶם

'And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, while there was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath, that is Bethlehem.'

Rachel’s death on the road is recalled within the adoption sceneוַאֲנִ֣י
The memory of Rachel binds Joseph’s maternal line to loss, burial, and the land of Canaan, giving the act emotional and geographic depth.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַאֲנִ֣יand as for meconj וְ + pers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Casus pendens (topicalized subject)אֲנִי (H589) independent first-person pronoun; the fronted וַאֲנִי introduces a new topic — Jacob's own experience — which grounds the emotional weight of the adoption.
בְּבֹאִ֣יwhen I cameprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 1cs suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal inf constr phrase→ Infinitive construct: verbal noun — the act of coming, set as a time frameבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; inf constr + 1cs suffix 'when I came'; the prep בְּ + inf constr is a standard Hebrew temporal construction.
מִפַּדָּ֗ןfrom Paddanprep מִן + proper noun · פַּדָּן (H6307)Source prep phraseפַּדָּן (H6307) 'Paddan,' short for פַּדַּן אֲרָם 'Paddan-aram'; the region in Mesopotamia where Jacob spent twenty years with Laban; Rachel died on the return journey.
מֵ֩תָה֩diedQal perf 3fs · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, irreversible deathמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Qal perf 3fs with Rachel as subject — the bare factual report of her death carries enormous emotional weight in the context of the adoption scene.
עָלַ֨יbeside me/to my griefprep עַל + 1cs suffix · עַל (H5921)Prep phrase (association/grief)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over, against'; עָלַי here 'upon me' or 'beside me,' expressing both physical proximity and personal loss — Rachel died as Jacob's companion.
רָחֵ֜לRachelproper noun · רָחֵל (H7354)Subject of מֵתָהרָחֵל (H7354) 'Rachel,' Jacob's beloved wife and Joseph's mother; her remembered death here ties Joseph's maternal line to loss, burial, and the land of Canaan.
בְּאֶ֤רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prep phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; 'in the land of Canaan' — Rachel's burial is in the promised land, not in Egypt, linking her death to the patriarchal inheritance.
כְּנַ֨עַן֙Canaanproper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitival proper nounכְּנַעַן (H3667) 'Canaan'; the promised land is the scene of Rachel's death and burial, grounding the memory geographically in the inheritance that Ephraim and Manasseh will receive.
בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְon the roadprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prep phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'road, way, journey'; the road to Ephrath is where Rachel died in childbirth delivering Benjamin (Gen 35:16–19); the detail preserves the exact memory.
בְּע֥וֹדwhile yetprep בְּ + adv · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal prep phraseעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; בְּעוֹד 'while still' introduces the circumstantial clause — they were not yet at Ephrath when she died.
כִּבְרַתa stretch ofN f sg constr · כִּבְרָה (H3530)Construct chain head (distance measure)כִּבְרָה (H3530) 'a stretch/distance of land'; a hapax legomenon of uncertain exact measure — it indicates they were close to Ephrath but Rachel died before arriving.
אֶ֖רֶץland/groundN (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitival noun (in construct with כִּבְרַת)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, ground'; the phrase כִּבְרַת אֶרֶץ means 'a stretch of ground/distance' — a measured but undefined interval of travel.
לָבֹ֣אto come toprep לְ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Inf constr (purpose/goal)→ Infinitive construct: goal of the journey remaining unfinishedבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive at'; לָבֹא אֶפְרָתָה 'to come to Ephrath' — the destination they had not yet reached when Rachel died.
אֶפְרָ֑תָהEphrathproper noun · אֶפְרָתָה (H672)Directional proper noun (goal)אֶפְרָתָה (H672) 'Ephrath,' the older name for Bethlehem (cf. Mic 5:1); the directional form in ה confirms movement toward the place.
וָאֶקְבְּרֶ֤הָand I buried herconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs + 3fs suffix · קָבַר (H6912)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jacob's own decisive actקָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; Jacob personally performed the burial — the detail 'I buried her' expresses tenderness and responsibility; the Canaan burial grounds the memory in the land.
שָּׁם֙thereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; marks the burial site — the road to Ephrath, not the patriarchal cave at Machpelah (Gen 49:31).
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְon the road toprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prep phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'road, way'; repeated from earlier in the verse — the road becomes the defining marker of Rachel's burial site, not a city tomb.
אֶפְרָ֔תEphrathproper noun · אֶפְרָת (H672)Genitival proper nounאֶפְרָת (H672) 'Ephrath'; the construct form without directional ה, confirming the burial site is located on the way to (but not in) Ephrath.
הִ֖ואthat ispers pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copulative pronoun (explanatory gloss)הִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun functioning as copula in an explanatory parenthesis — 'it is Bethlehem'; the note identifies Ephrath for later readers who know it as Bethlehem.
בֵּ֥יתBeth-proper noun (first element) · בֵּית לֶחֶם (H1035)Compound proper noun (first element)בֵּית לֶחֶם (H1035) 'Bethlehem,' literally 'house of bread'; the identification of Ephrath as Bethlehem appears also in Gen 35:19 and Ruth 4:11.
לָֽחֶםlehem (Bethlehem)proper noun (second element) · בֵּית לֶחֶם (H1035)Compound proper noun (second element)The second element of the compound בֵּית לֶחֶם — 'bread/grain'; together the name means 'house of bread,' the famous Judahite town later identified as David's city.
8

וַיַּ֥רְא יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶת בְּנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֑ף וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מִי אֵֽלֶּה

And Israel saw the sons of Joseph and said, 'Who are these?'

Israel asks for the ceremonial identification of the boysוַיַּ֥רְא
The question opens the public recognition needed before blessing and keeps the scene formal even in its intimacy.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיַּ֥רְאand sawconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, look, perceive'; Israel looks at the boys as a deliberate act — his sight is dim (v. 10) but this perception precedes the formal identification.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיַּרְא and וַיֹּאמֶריִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenantal name is used here as the patriarch acts in his official blessing capacity.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in construct before יוֹסֵף — Israel sees the sons as a unit, which triggers the formal identification question.
יוֹסֵ֑ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitival proper nounיוֹסֵף (H3130); the phrase 'sons of Joseph' identifies whose sons are present before the ceremonial questioning begins.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Israel's question is not confusion but formal protocol — identifying the boys before blessing them publicly.
מִיwhointerrog pron · מִי (H4310)Interrogative subjectמִי (H4310) 'who?'; an interrogative pronoun used in a ceremonial rather than ignorant question — formal identification before the blessing ritual.
אֵֽלֶּהare thesedem pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Predicate demonstrative (verbless clause)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the verbless clause 'who are these?' requires Joseph to present and name the boys, fulfilling the adoption's public character.
9

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹסֵף֙ אֶל אָבִ֔יו בָּנַ֣י הֵ֔ם אֲשֶׁר נָֽתַן לִ֥י אֱלֹהִ֖ים בָּזֶ֑ה וַיֹּאמַ֕ר קָֽחֶם נָ֥א אֵלַ֖י וַאֲבָרֲכֵֽם

And Joseph said to his father, 'They are my sons, whom God has given to me here.' And he said, 'Bring them to me, please, and let me bless them.'

Joseph identifies the sons as God’s gift, and Jacob asks to bless themוַיֹּ֤אמֶר
Joseph names the boys theologically, and Jacob immediately moves from recognition toward the conferral of blessing.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph answers the ceremonial identification question, responding to Israel's 'who are these?'
יוֹסֵף֙Josephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph presents the boys formally and interprets their existence as a divine gift.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prep (speech recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Jacob/Israel as the addressee of Joseph's response.
אָבִ֔יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶראָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix — Joseph addresses the dying patriarch in his role as father, even as the relationship is about to be restructured by adoption.
בָּנַ֣יmy sonsN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (verbless clause predicate)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with 1cs suffix 'my sons' — Joseph acknowledges his fatherhood before transferring the boys into Jacob's adoption; this is Joseph's formal identification of them.
הֵ֔םthey arepers pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Copulative pronoun (verbless clause)הֵם (H1992) 3mp pronoun as copula — 'they are my sons'; the pronoun clinches the identification in the verbless clause, answering Israel's question directly.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (introducing clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, which'; introduces the relative clause explaining the theological origin of the boys: they are God's gift, not Joseph's achievement.
נָֽתַןhas givenQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed gift — God has already givenנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Qal perf — the gift is complete and unequivocal; Joseph frames the boys' existence as entirely God's initiative, not human fertility alone.
לִ֥יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְ (prep)Dative (recipient of gift)Lamed with 1cs suffix 'to me'; marks Joseph as the recipient of God's gift of these sons — the theological framing before the blessing.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of נָתַןאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural in form but singular in reference to Israel's God; named as the direct giver of the children, consistent with the many birth narratives in Genesis.
בָּזֶ֑הhere/in this placeprep בְּ + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Locative prep phraseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; בָּזֶה 'in this' meaning 'here' or 'in this place' (Egypt) — God gave Joseph children in the place of his exile, a mark of divine faithfulness.
וַיֹּאמַ֕רand he saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob responds to Joseph's identification — the switch from Israel (v. 8) to Jacob and back signals narrative movement.
קָֽחֶםbring themQal impv 2ms + 3mp suffix · לָקַח (H3947)Imperative (direct command)→ Volitional: direct command, urgent requestלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, bring'; Qal impv 2ms with 3mp suffix 'bring them to me'; Jacob takes the initiative — he does not wait for Joseph to present the boys but calls them forward.
נָ֥אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Particle of entreatyנָא (H4994) 'please, I pray'; softens the imperative slightly, adding a tone of earnest desire — Jacob is eager but not merely commanding.
אֵלַ֖יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prep phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; 'bring them to me' — Jacob draws the boys into the intimate space of the blessing.
וַאֲבָרֲכֵֽםand let me bless themconj וְ + Piel cohortative 1cs + 3mp suffix · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Cohortative of intention (purpose)→ Cohortative: volitional — Jacob's will and intention to blessבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel cohortative 1cs expressing Jacob's resolute intention — the whole scene has been building to this blessing, and the cohortative confirms his agency.
10

וְעֵינֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ כָּבְד֣וּ מִזֹּ֔קֶן לֹ֥א יוּכַ֖ל לִרְא֑וֹת וַיַּגֵּ֤שׁ אֹתָם֙ אֵלָ֔יו וַיִּשַּׁ֥ק לָהֶ֖ם וַיְחַבֵּ֥ק לָהֶֽם

Now the eyes of Israel were heavy from old age; he could not see. And he brought them near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them.

Israel’s dim sight is paired with kiss and embraceוְעֵינֵ֤י
The narrative acknowledges bodily weakness, but the physical tenderness of the embrace confirms the reality of the encounter.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְעֵינֵ֤יnow the eyes ofconj וְ + N (c) dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Subject (circumstantial clause)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual construct — 'the eyes of Israel'; the narrative interjects this physiological note to explain Jacob's subsequent actions and heighten dramatic tension.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitival proper nounיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenantal name continues, even as his physical diminishment is described — the patriarch's authority rests on more than sight.
כָּבְד֣וּwere heavy/dimQal perf 3cp · כָּבֵד (H3513)Predicate verb (circumstantial)→ Perfective: a completed state of deteriorationכָּבֵד (H3513) 'to be heavy, dull, dim'; the root root conveys density and dullness — his eyes had become so heavy that seeing was impossible; cf. Isaac's blindness in Gen 27.
מִזֹּ֔קֶןfrom old ageprep מִן + N m sg abs · זֹקֶן (H2207)Causal prep phraseזֹקֶן (H2207) 'old age, age'; from זָקֵן 'to be old'; the prep מִן is causal 'because of/from old age' — his blindness is attributed to age, not divine judgment.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (modifying יוּכַל)לֹא (H3808) standard Hebrew negation; negates the following modal verb, stating inability rather than unwillingness.
יוּכַ֖לhe was ableQal impf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Modal predicate verb→ Yiqtol: modal — stating incapacityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able, prevail'; Qal impf 3ms with לֹא — 'he could not,' a statement of physical limitation governing the next clause.
לִרְא֑וֹתto seeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Complementary inf constr→ Infinitive construct: the action he was incapable of performingרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; inf constr complementing יָכֹל — 'he could not see'; yet he will 'see' the boys through touch, speech, and blessing (vv. 11, 15).
וַיַּגֵּ֤שׁand he brought nearconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near'; Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; Joseph actively brings the boys into Jacob's reach for the embrace and blessing.
אֹתָם֙themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffixאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3mp suffix 'them'; the boys are the object of Joseph's deliberate act of presentation.
אֵלָ֔יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prep phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; Joseph brings the boys toward Jacob, bridging the physical distance between the blind patriarch and his grandsons.
וַיִּשַּׁ֥קand he kissedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשַׁק (H5401)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשַׁק (H5401) 'to kiss'; Qal wayyiqtol — a kiss in Genesis signals deep familial affection (cf. 27:26–27; 29:11, 13; 33:4); Jacob's kiss affirms the boys as genuinely his own.
לָהֶ֖םthemprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְ (prep)Dative complement of וַיִּשַּׁקLamed with 3mp suffix; נָשַׁק takes לְ rather than direct object — 'kissed them'; the construction is standard for kissing in Hebrew.
וַיְחַבֵּ֥קand he embracedconj וְ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · חָבַק (H2263)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָבַק (H2263) 'to embrace, clasp'; Piel intensifies the embrace — Jacob wraps his arms around both boys in a physical and emotional act that seals the adoption beyond mere words.
לָהֶֽםthemprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְ (prep)Dative complement of וַיְחַבֵּקLamed with 3mp suffix repeated; חָבַק also takes לְ — 'embraced them'; the repeated lamed after both kiss and embrace creates a tender rhythmic close to the verse.
11

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶל יוֹסֵ֔ף רְאֹ֥ה פָנֶ֖יךָ לֹ֣א פִלָּ֑לְתִּי וְהִנֵּ֨ה הֶרְאָ֥ה אֹתִ֛י אֱלֹהִ֖ים גַּ֥ם אֶת זַרְעֶֽךָ

And Israel said to Joseph, 'I had not expected to see your face, and behold, God has shown me even your seed.'

Israel marvels that God has shown him Joseph’s seed in addition to Joseph himselfוַיֹּ֤אמֶר
The sight of the grandsons is interpreted as surplus mercy beyond what Jacob once hoped possible.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Israel speaks after the kiss and embrace, turning the scene from physical tenderness to theological confession.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenantal name marks the patriarch's speech as an utterance from the one who carries the promise, not merely a personal remark.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prep (speech recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; addresses Joseph directly — the confession of unexpected divine mercy is spoken to the son who embodies that mercy.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130); Jacob addresses Joseph, making him the witness of the confession — the sight of Joseph's face and his seed together forms the content of the marvel.
רְאֹ֥הto see/seeingQal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Inf constr (subject of verbal clause)→ Infinitive construct: verbal noun as topicalized subjectרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; inf constr used as the verbal noun subject of the clause — 'seeing your face' is the thing Jacob had not hoped for; the inf abs use is emphatic.
פָנֶ֖יךָyour faceN (c) pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of inf constr רְאֹהפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; always plural in Hebrew; 'seeing your face' is idiomatic for 'seeing you alive' — Jacob had resigned himself to Joseph's death in Gen 37.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (modifying פִלָּלְתִּי)לֹא (H3808) standard negation; negates the following verb — 'I had not expected'; the negative is emphatic, placed before the verb for stress.
פִלָּ֑לְתִּיI expected/hopedPiel perf 1cs · פָּלַל (H6419)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a past state of mind — I had not expectedפָּלַל (H6419) 'to judge, intercede, expect'; Piel here 'to hope, reckon, expect'; rare in this sense — Jacob uses it to say he had written off the possibility of seeing Joseph alive, let alone his children.
וְהִנֵּ֨הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Adversative conj + presentativeהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; with וְ the phrase contrasts despair with surprise — 'I had not expected ... and yet behold'; draws attention to what God has actually done.
הֶרְאָ֥הhas shownHiphil perf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, gracious divine actרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Hiphil 'to cause to see, show'; God is the implied subject — He has granted Jacob the sight of Joseph's seed as a surplus of mercy beyond what was hoped.
אֹתִ֛יmeobj marker + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffixאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 1cs suffix 'me'; Jacob is the one shown — he is both the grammatical object and the astonished recipient of divine abundance.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of הֶרְאָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the divine name is placed after its verb for emphasis — God is identified as the author of this unexpected grace, not circumstance.
גַּ֥םeven/alsoadv · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverbגַּם (H1571) 'also, even, moreover'; the adverb is climactic here — not only has Jacob seen Joseph's face, but God has shown him even Joseph's seed; the גַּם marks the surplus of grace.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
זַרְעֶֽךָyour seedN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of הֶרְאָהזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring, descendants'; with 2ms suffix 'your seed' — Joseph's sons are the seed Jacob had not expected to see; the term echoes the covenant promises of Gen 48:4, tying the verse back to the divine words at Bethel.
12

וַיּוֹצֵ֥א יוֹסֵ֛ף אֹתָ֖ם מֵעִ֣ם בִּרְכָּ֑יו וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ לְאַפָּ֖יו אָֽרְצָה

And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

Joseph withdraws the boys from close intimacy and bows before the blessing properוַיּוֹצֵ֥א
The movement resets the scene from embrace to ordered ritual arrangement.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיּוֹצֵ֥אbrought outHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Hiphil 'to bring out, lead out'; Joseph draws the boys back from Jacob's lap to reset the scene for formal blessing.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיּוֹצֵאיוֹסֵף (H3130), the patriarch's son and Egyptian viceroy; named subject after the preceding wayyiqtol.
אֹתָ֖םthem [obj]obj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (them = Ephraim and Manasseh)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; suffix 3mp refers to the two boys.
מֵעִ֣םfrom besideprep מִן + prep עִם · עִם (H5973)Compound preposition of separationמֵעִם compound: מִן (from) + עִם (H5973, 'with, beside'); describes removal from proximity to the patriarch.
בִּרְכָּ֑יוhis kneesprep בְּ + N f du constr + 3ms suffix · בֶּרֶךְ (H1290)Object of compound preposition (locative)בֶּרֶךְ (H1290) 'knee'; dual form; the image of the boys between the patriarch's knees reflects an adoption gesture.
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּbowed downHishtaphel wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁחָה (H7812) 'to bow down, prostrate oneself'; Hishtaphel reflexive stem; Joseph prostrates before his father prior to the blessing.
לְאַפָּ֖יוwith his faceprep לְ + N m du constr + 3ms suffix · אַף (H639)Prepositional phrase of manner (face toward ground)אַף (H639) 'nose, nostril, face'; dual + suffix; לְאַפָּיו אָרְצָה is an idiom for full prostration face-to-earth.
אָֽרְצָהto the groundN (c) sg abs + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional accusative (toward the ground)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; the directional ה suffix = 'earthward'; with לְאַפָּיו forms the idiom of complete prostration.
13

וַיִּקַּ֣ח יוֹסֵף֮ אֶת שְׁנֵיהֶם֒ אֶת אֶפְרַ֤יִם בִּֽימִינוֹ֙ מִשְּׂמֹ֣אל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה בִשְׂמֹאל֖וֹ מִימִ֣ין יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּגֵּ֖שׁ אֵלָֽיו

And Joseph took the two of them, Ephraim in his right hand at Israel's left, and Manasseh in his left hand at Israel's right, and he brought them near to him.

Joseph arranges Ephraim and Manasseh according to expected seniorityוַיִּקַּ֣ח
His placement assumes the ordinary right-hand priority of the elder and prepares the visible reversal that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּקַּ֣חtookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; Joseph's deliberate placement establishes the conventional seniority arrangement before the blessing.
יוֹסֵף֮JosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיִּקַּחיוֹסֵף (H3130); named subject resuming the actor after his prostration.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object.
שְׁנֵיהֶם֒both of themNumeral m du constr + 3mp suffix · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Direct object of וַיִּקַּחשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct + 3mp suffix 'the two of them'; specifies that both boys are taken as a unit.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (Ephraim, appositive specification)אֵת (H853) begins the appositional restatement of the two boys individually.
אֶפְרַ֤יִםEphraimProper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Direct object (first son, appositive to שְׁנֵיהֶם)אֶפְרַיִם (H669), Joseph's younger son; placed at Israel's left, i.e., held in Joseph's right hand toward the lesser side.
בִּֽימִינוֹ֙in his right handprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָמִין (H3225)Locative prepositional phraseיָמִין (H3225) 'right hand, right side'; the position of priority and greater blessing in ancient Near Eastern practice.
מִשְּׂמֹ֣אלfrom the left ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · שְׂמֹאל (H8040)Locative prepositional phrase (reference point of Israel)שְׂמֹאל (H8040) 'left hand, left side'; from Israel's left = Ephraim is held toward the patriarch's weaker blessing side.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelProper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitival object of מִשְּׂמֹאליִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the patriarch's covenant name; the reference frame for the spatial arrangement.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (Manasseh)Introduces the second son's placement in the parallel structure.
מְנַשֶּׁ֥הManassehProper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Direct object (second son, appositive)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519), Joseph's firstborn; placed at Israel's right, held in Joseph's left hand.
בִשְׂמֹאל֖וֹin his left handprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שְׂמֹאל (H8040)Locative prepositional phraseשְׂמֹאל (H8040) 'left'; with בְּ and 3ms suffix; Manasseh is in Joseph's left, the conventionally lesser position.
מִימִ֣יןfrom the right ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · יָמִין (H3225)Locative prepositional phrase (reference point of Israel)יָמִין (H3225) 'right'; from Israel's right side, so Manasseh is toward the honor side in the patriarch's view.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelProper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitival object of מִימִיןיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the patriarch's perspective is the reference frame throughout the spatial description.
וַיַּגֵּ֖שׁbrought nearHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near'; Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the final move presenting the arranged boys to the patriarch for blessing.
אֵלָֽיוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of direction (to Israel)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with 3ms suffix referring to Jacob/Israel as the one to whom the boys are presented.
14

וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל אֶת יְמִינ֜וֹ וַיָּ֨שֶׁת עַל רֹ֤אשׁ אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ וְה֣וּא הַצָּעִ֔יר וְאֶת שְׂמֹאל֖וֹ עַל רֹ֣אשׁ מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה שִׂכֵּל֙ אֶת יָדָ֔יו כִּ֥י מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה הַבְּכֽוֹר

And Israel stretched out his right hand and placed it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and his left on Manasseh's head. He crossed his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

Israel knowingly crosses his hands so the younger receives the right handוַיִּשְׁלַח֩
The crossed-hands gesture is presented as intentional insight, not aged confusion, and marks the chapter’s central reversal.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩stretched outQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send, stretch out'; here the extension of a hand in blessing; the deliberateness of the arm movement is central to the narrative's meaning.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨לIsraelProper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיִּשְׁלַחיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant name marks the blessing as a patriarchal-tribal act, not merely a personal gesture.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
יְמִינ֜וֹhis right handN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָמִין (H3225)Direct object of וַיִּשְׁלַחיָמִין (H3225) 'right hand'; the right hand conveys the greater blessing; its deliberate placement on Ephraim is the narrative's hinge.
וַיָּ֨שֶׁתplacedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שִׁית (H7896)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׁית (H7896) 'to put, set, place'; the hand-laying act that confers blessing.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of locationעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; governs the head on which the hand is placed.
רֹ֤אשׁhead ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Object of עַל (construct chain)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; the placing of the hand on the head is the classic gesture of blessing transmission.
אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙EphraimProper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Genitival object of רֹאשׁאֶפְרַיִם (H669); the younger son receives the right hand, deliberately inverting conventional primogeniture.
וְה֣וּאthough heconj וְ + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Concessive circumstantial clause (subject)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; with וְ introduces a concessive circumstantial: 'even though he was the younger.'
הַצָּעִ֔ירthe youngerart + Adj m sg abs · צָעִיר (H6810)Predicate of concessive clauseצָעִיר (H6810) 'small, young, younger'; predicates Ephraim's status as the lesser son, whose elevation is thereby deliberate and notable.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (Manasseh's head)Parallel to the earlier construction; introduces the placement of the left hand on Manasseh.
שְׂמֹאל֖וֹhis leftN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שְׂמֹאל (H8040)Direct object of וַיָּשֶׁת (implied)שְׂמֹאל (H8040) 'left hand'; the lesser hand is placed on the firstborn, reversing expected honor.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of locationעַל (H5921) 'upon'; parallel to the earlier preposition governing the head.
רֹ֣אשׁhead ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Object of עַל (construct chain)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; second occurrence; the left hand rests here on the firstborn.
מְנַשֶּׁ֑הManassehProper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitival object of רֹאשׁמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519) 'causing to forget', from נָשָׁה (H5382); firstborn son of Joseph.
שִׂכֵּל֙acted wiselyPiel perf 3ms · שָׂכַל (H7919)Circumstantial perfect (manner clause)→ Perfective: a purposeful, knowing actשָׂכַל (H7919) 'to be prudent, act with insight'; Piel 'to direct wisely, cross knowingly'; this verb explicitly presents the gesture as deliberate wisdom, not senile confusion.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
יָדָ֔יוhis handsN (c) du constr + 3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Direct object of שִׂכֵּליָד (H3027) 'hand'; dual form indicates both hands were deliberately crossed.
כִּ֥יforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the causal ground: Manasseh was the firstborn, so the crossing was intentional.
מְנַשֶּׁ֖הManassehProper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Subject of verbless clauseמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); named again as subject to make the causal statement explicit.
הַבְּכֽוֹרthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Predicate of verbless clauseבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn, eldest'; the status that Jacob knowingly overrides with the crossed hands.
15

וַיְבָ֥רֶךְ אֶת יוֹסֵ֖ף וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הָֽאֱלֹהִ֡ים אֲשֶׁר֩ הִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ אֲבֹתַ֤י לְפָנָיו֙ אַבְרָהָ֣ם וְיִצְחָ֔ק הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ הָרֹעֶ֣ה אֹתִ֔י מֵעוֹדִ֖י עַד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

And he blessed Joseph and said, 'The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has shepherded me all my life to this day,'

Jacob blesses Joseph through an invocation of the God of the fathers and the God who shepherded himוַיְבָ֥רֶךְ
The blessing gathers ancestral continuity and Jacob’s whole life under one divine care.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיְבָ֥רֶךְblessedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel the standard blessing verb; the object is Joseph, but the blessing falls on the boys through him.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Direct object of וַיְבָרֶךְיוֹסֵף (H3130); blessed as the father of the boys; the sons carry Joseph's blessing forward into tribal history.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רsaidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introducing blessing speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the spoken blessing in direct discourse.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֡יםthe Godart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of invocation (first member of triadic blessing)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with article; first of a triadic invocation — the God of the ancestors who walked before him.
אֲשֶׁר֩before whomrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (modifying הָאֱלֹהִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the qualifier 'before whom my fathers walked.'
הִתְהַלְּכ֨וּwalkedHitpael perf 3cp · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed life of covenant fidelityהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk'; Hitpael reflexive-iterative 'to walk about continually'; describes the lifelong covenant walk of Abraham and Isaac before God.
אֲבֹתַ֤יmy fathersN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of הִתְהַלְּכוּאָב (H1) 'father'; plural with 1cs suffix 'my fathers'; collective reference to the patriarchal ancestors.
לְפָנָיו֙before himprep לְ + N (c) pl constr + 3ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (covenantal walking before God)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of'; the phrase 'walk before God' denotes faithful covenant life.
אַבְרָהָ֣םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Apposition to אֲבֹתַי (first ancestor)אַבְרָהָם (H85); founding patriarch; named to anchor the blessing's lineage in the original covenant.
וְיִצְחָ֔קand Isaacconj וְ + Proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Apposition to אֲבֹתַי (second ancestor)יִצְחָק (H3327) 'he laughs'; second patriarch; the pairing with Abraham completes the ancestral chain of covenant fidelity.
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙the Godart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of second invocation (the shepherding God)אֱלֹהִים (H430); second element of the triadic invocation; now as personal shepherd of Jacob throughout his life.
הָרֹעֶ֣הwho shepherds meart + Qal ptc m sg abs · רָעָה (H7462)Attributive participle modifying הָאֱלֹהִים→ Participle: ongoing providential care throughout Jacob's lifeרָעָה (H7462) 'to shepherd, feed, tend'; the Qal ptc with article articulates God's continuous pastoral care of Jacob from birth to the present blessing scene.
אֹתִ֔יme [obj]obj marker + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הָרֹעֶהאֵת (H853) + 1cs suffix; Jacob himself is the object of divine shepherding.
מֵעוֹדִ֖יfrom my beginningprep מִן + adverb עוֹד + 1cs suffix · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration from birth)עוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, continuance'; מֵעוֹדִי 'from my existence, since I have been'; expresses the full span of Jacob's life under divine care.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase of terminusעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the endpoint of the temporal span.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of עַד (temporal)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with הַזֶּה forms 'this day,' the very moment of the blessing scene.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; with הַיּוֹם = 'this very day,' pointing to the present occasion as the terminus of lifelong divine shepherding.
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הַמַּלְאָךְ֩ הַגֹּאֵ֨ל אֹתִ֜י מִכָּל רָ֗ע יְבָרֵךְ֮ אֶת הַנְּעָרִים֒ וְיִקָּרֵ֤א בָהֶם֙ שְׁמִ֔י וְשֵׁ֥ם אֲבֹתַ֖י אַבְרָהָ֣ם וְיִצְחָ֑ק וְיִדְגּ֥וּ לָרֹ֖ב בְּקֶ֥רֶב הָאָֽרֶץ

'the angel who redeemed me from all evil, may he bless the boys. And let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and let them multiply greatly in the midst of the earth.'

The redeeming angel is invoked to bless the boys with name, lineage, and abundanceהַמַּלְאָךְ֩
Redemption from evil, patriarchal naming, and expansive increase are all concentrated in the blessing’s climactic petition.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
הַמַּלְאָךְ֩the angelart + N m sg abs · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject of יְבָרֵךְ (third invocation)מַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; the third member of the triadic invocation; a divine agent distinct from yet associated with God in the patriarchal stories.
הַגֹּאֵ֨לwho redeemsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · גָּאַל (H1350)Attributive participle modifying הַמַּלְאָךְ→ Participle: ongoing redemptive activity experienced by Jacobגָּאַל (H1350) 'to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer'; the article on the ptc identifies the angel as the one known by this function; Jacob invokes protection already experienced.
אֹתִ֜יme [obj]obj marker + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הַגֹּאֵלאֵת (H853) + 1cs suffix; Jacob is the beneficiary of the angel's redemptive activity.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase of separationכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; מִכָּל 'from all' expresses the comprehensive scope of redemption.
רָ֗עevilAdj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Object of מִכָּלרַע (H7451) 'evil, harm, misfortune'; the comprehensive deliverance from all that could harm the patriarch.
יְבָרֵךְ֮may he blessPiel impf 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Jussive/impf (petition of the blessing)→ Yiqtol: volitional — petitionary wishבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel impf functions as jussive here; the blessing is petitioned from the angel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
הַנְּעָרִים֒the boysart + N m pl abs · נַעַר (H5288)Direct object of יְבָרֵךְנַעַר (H5288) 'lad, boy, youth'; the term of tender address; the blessing finally names the boys as its direct recipients.
וְיִקָּרֵ֤אand let be calledconj וְ + Niphal impf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Jussive/impf (second petition)→ Yiqtol: volitional — petitionary wishקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; Niphal passive 'to be called, to have a name invoked'; the passive expresses being named with the patriarchal identity.
בָהֶם֙on themprep בְּ + 3mp suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase (locus of naming)בְּ with 3mp suffix; the name is invoked over the boys, marking them as heirs of the ancestral identity.
שְׁמִ֔יmy nameN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of וְיִקָּרֵאשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; Jacob's own name is to be perpetuated through these grandsons; the covenant name Israel ultimately carries this.
וְשֵׁ֥םand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Coordinated subject of וְיִקָּרֵאשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; second conjunct; the ancestral names are to be carried by the boys alongside Jacob's own.
אֲבֹתַ֖יmy fathersN m pl constr + 1cs suffix · אָב (H1)Genitival object of וְשֵׁםאָב (H1) 'father'; collective for the patriarchal line.
אַבְרָהָ֣םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Apposition to אֲבֹתַי (first ancestor)אַבְרָהָם (H85); the founding patriarch whose name is to persist in these grandsons.
וְיִצְחָ֑קand Isaacconj וְ + Proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Apposition to אֲבֹתַי (second ancestor)יִצְחָק (H3327); paired with Abraham to complete the dynastic line of patriarchal naming.
וְיִדְגּ֥וּmay they multiplyconj וְ + Qal impf 3mp · דָּגָה (H1711)Jussive/impf (third petition)→ Yiqtol: volitional — petitionary wishדָּגָה (H1711) 'to multiply like fish'; a rare verb derived from דָּג 'fish'; the fish-like multiplication evokes both abundance and the promised innumerable descendants.
לָרֹ֖בinto abundanceprep לְ + N (c) sg abs · רֹב (H7230)Prepositional phrase of result/goalרֹב (H7230) 'multitude, abundance'; the goal toward which the multiplication moves.
בְּקֶ֥רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, interior'; specifies the sphere within which the multiplication will occur.
הָאָֽרֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitival object of בְּקֶרֶבאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; with article; the scope is the whole inhabited earth.
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וַיַּ֣רְא יוֹסֵ֗ף כִּי יָשִׁ֨ית אָבִ֧יו יַד יְמִינ֛וֹ עַל רֹ֥אשׁ אֶפְרַ֖יִם וַיֵּ֣רַע בְּעֵינָ֑יו וַיִּתְמֹ֣ךְ יַד אָבִ֗יו לְהָסִ֥יר אֹתָ֛הּ מֵעַ֥ל רֹאשׁ אֶפְרַ֖יִם עַל רֹ֥אשׁ מְנַשֶּֽׁה

And Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, and it was evil in his eyes. And he took hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head onto Manasseh's head.

Joseph is troubled by the right hand resting on Ephraimוַיַּ֣רְא
What Israel does knowingly, Joseph initially reads as a mistake that must be corrected.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיַּ֣רְאsawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Joseph perceives the crossed-hands arrangement and reacts to what he reads as a mistake.
יוֹסֵ֗ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיַּרְאיוֹסֵף (H3130); the protagonist who misreads the deliberate crossing as an error of old age.
כִּיthatconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (introduces object clause of וַיַּרְא)כִּי (H3588) here complementizer 'that'; introduces the content of what Joseph observed.
יָשִׁ֨יתwas placingQal impf 3ms · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate of object clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective — action viewed as ongoing when perceivedשִׁית (H7896) 'to put, place'; impf here describes the action as in progress when Joseph saw it.
אָבִ֧יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of יָשִׁיתאָב (H1) 'father'; refers to Jacob/Israel.
יַדhand ofN (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Direct object of יָשִׁית (construct chain)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; construct leading into יְמִינוֹ.
יְמִינ֛וֹhis rightN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָמִין (H3225)Genitival object of יַדיָמִין (H3225) 'right hand'; the specific hand that troubled Joseph by resting on the younger son.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of locationעַל (H5921) 'upon'; governs Ephraim's head.
רֹ֥אשׁhead ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Object of עַל (construct chain)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; receives the right hand of blessing.
אֶפְרַ֖יִםEphraimProper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Genitival object of רֹאשׁאֶפְרַיִם (H669); the younger receiving the right hand is what Joseph sees and protests.
וַיֵּ֣רַעwas displeasingQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָעַע (H7489)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָעַע (H7489) 'to be evil, be displeasing'; Qal wayyiqtol impersonal; idiom וַיֵּרַע בְּעֵינָיו = 'it was bad in his eyes.'
בְּעֵינָ֑יוin his eyesprep בְּ + N (c) du constr + 3ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase (idiomatic: his judgment/perception)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; בְּעֵינָיו 'in his eyes' = in his judgment; idiomatic expression for subjective evaluation.
וַיִּתְמֹ֣ךְgraspedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · תָּמַךְ (H8551)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceתָּמַךְ (H8551) 'to grasp, hold, support'; Joseph physically takes hold of his father's hand to redirect it.
יַדhand ofN (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Direct object of וַיִּתְמֹךְ (construct chain)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the hand he grasps is his father's.
אָבִ֗יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitival object of יַדאָב (H1) 'father'; the genitive identifies whose hand Joseph seizes.
לְהָסִ֥ירto removeprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · סוּר (H5493)Infinitival purpose clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose/intentסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, remove'; Hiphil 'to cause to turn, remove'; expresses Joseph's intent in grasping the hand.
אֹתָ֛הּit [obj]obj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לְהָסִיר (the hand, feminine)אֵת (H853) + 3fs suffix; refers to יָד (feminine), the hand to be removed.
מֵעַ֥לfrom uponprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Compound prepositional phrase of separationמֵעַל compound of מִן and עַל; 'from upon, off of.'
רֹאשׁhead ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Object of מֵעַל (construct chain)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; third occurrence in the verse.
אֶפְרַ֖יִםEphraimProper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Genitival object of רֹאשׁאֶפְרַיִם (H669); the head from which Joseph wants to redirect the right hand.
עַלontoprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of directionעַל (H5921) 'upon'; indicates the intended destination of the redirected hand.
רֹ֥אשׁhead ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Object of עַל (construct chain)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; the head Joseph wants to receive the right hand.
מְנַשֶּֽׁהManassehProper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitival object of רֹאשׁמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); the firstborn whose head Joseph believes should bear the right hand of the greater blessing.
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וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יוֹסֵ֛ף אֶל אָבִ֖יו לֹא כֵ֣ן אָבִ֑י כִּי זֶ֣ה הַבְּכֹ֔ר שִׂ֥ים יְמִינְךָ֖ עַל רֹאשֽׁוֹ

And Joseph said to his father, 'Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.'

Joseph protests and appeals to Manasseh’s firstborn statusוַיֹּ֧אמֶר
The son speaks for conventional order, urging his father to align the blessing with birth rank.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֧אמֶרsaidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Joseph's protest against the arrangement.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריוֹסֵף (H3130); named subject of the protest speech.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of direction (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the father as addressee.
אָבִ֖יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Object of אֶלאָב (H1) 'father'; Joseph addresses the patriarch directly.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negating כֵּן)לֹא (H3808) 'no, not'; the direct negation of the arrangement.
כֵ֣ןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Predicate adverb (negated by לֹא)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; לֹא כֵן = 'not so, that is not right'; a standard idiom of polite but firm correction.
אָבִ֑יmy fatherN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · אָב (H1)Vocativeאָב (H1) 'father'; direct address expressing filial respect even in the act of correction.
כִּיforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason for the protest — birth order.
זֶ֣הthis onedemonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of verbless clauseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; pointing to Manasseh as the one who rightfully should have the right hand.
הַבְּכֹ֔רthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Predicate of verbless clauseבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; Joseph appeals to birth order as the basis of right-hand priority.
שִׂ֥יםplace!Qal impv 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Imperative (direct command)→ Volitional: direct imperative commandשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; Qal impv 2ms; Joseph commands his father to reposition the right hand on the firstborn.
יְמִינְךָ֖your right handN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָמִין (H3225)Direct object of שִׂיםיָמִין (H3225) 'right hand'; Joseph specifies which hand should be moved to Manasseh's head.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of locationעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the intended placement on Manasseh's head.
רֹאשֽׁוֹhis headN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Object of עַלרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; the 3ms suffix refers to Manasseh, implicitly identified from the prior context.
19

וַיְמָאֵ֣ן אָבִ֗יו וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ יָדַ֤עְתִּֽי בְנִי֙ יָדַ֔עְתִּי גַּם ה֥וּא יִֽהְיֶה לְּעָ֖ם וְגַם ה֣וּא יִגְדָּ֑ל וְאוּלָ֗ם אָחִ֤יו הַקָּטֹן֙ יִגְדַּ֣ל מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְזַרְע֖וֹ יִהְיֶ֥ה מְלֹֽא הַגּוֹיִֽם

But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Yet his younger brother shall become greater than he, and his seed shall become a fullness of nations.'

Jacob refuses and interprets the younger’s greater futureוַיְמָאֵ֣ן
The reversal is spoken aloud as conscious prophecy: both sons will prosper, but the younger will surpass the elder.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיְמָאֵ֣ןrefusedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · מָאַן (H3985)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָאַן (H3985) 'to refuse, decline'; Piel wayyiqtol; the patriarch's refusal is decisive and introduces the verbal explanation that follows.
אָבִ֗יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of וַיְמָאֵןאָב (H1) 'father'; refers to Jacob/Israel, the one who refuses to comply with Joseph's correction.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Jacob's spoken explanation of the refusal.
יָדַ֤עְתִּֽיI knowQal perf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, first)→ Perfective: stative — present knowingיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the repetition 'I know, my son, I know' is one of Genesis' most emphatic rhetorical forms, asserting full conscious intentionality.
בְנִי֙my sonN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Vocativeבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; direct address; placed between the two repeated verbs for emotional weight and tenderness.
יָדַ֔עְתִּיI knowQal perf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (emphatic repetition)→ Perfective: stative — emphatic conscious intentיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; repeated for rhetorical emphasis; Jacob insists the crossing was deliberate, not a mistake of old age.
גַּםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverbגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; introduces the concession that Manasseh too will prosper.
ה֥וּאhepers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of יִהְיֶההוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; refers to Manasseh.
יִֽהְיֶהwill becomeQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (future promise for Manasseh)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future realizationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; impf expresses future becoming into nationhood.
לְּעָ֖םa peopleprep לְ + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate complement of יִהְיֶהעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; לְעָם = 'into/as a people'; Manasseh will attain nationhood.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adverb גַּם · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating additiveגַּם (H1571) again; doubles the concession structure before the adversative.
ה֣וּאhepers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of יִגְדָּל (second clause)הוּא (H1931) refers again to Manasseh; the concession is complete before the reversal is stated.
יִגְדָּ֑לwill be greatQal impf 3ms · גָּדַל (H1431)Predicate verb (future promise)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future greatnessגָּדַל (H1431) 'to be great, grow up, become great'; Manasseh will achieve greatness, but not as much as Ephraim.
וְאוּלָ֗םbutconj וְ + adverb אוּלָם · אוּלָם (H199)Adversative conjunction (strong contrast)אוּלָם (H199) 'however, but, yet'; the strong adversative that signals the deliberate reversal — Ephraim will be greater.
אָחִ֤יוhis brotherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Subject of יִגְדַּלאָח (H251) 'brother'; 3ms suffix points to Manasseh as reference; 'his brother' = Ephraim.
הַקָּטֹן֙the youngerart + Adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive adjective modifying אָחִיוקָטֹן (H6996) 'small, younger, least'; used alongside צָעִיר (v.14) to characterize Ephraim's birth status.
יִגְדַּ֣לwill become greaterQal impf 3ms · גָּדַל (H1431)Predicate verb (comparative future)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future surpassingגָּדַל (H1431) 'to be great'; second use; the comparative sense comes from מִמֶּנּוּ following.
מִמֶּ֔נּוּthan heprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; with comparative force 'more than him (Manasseh).'
וְזַרְע֖וֹand his seedconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Subject of יִהְיֶה (new clause)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring, descendants'; 3ms suffix refers to Ephraim; his seed will be the מְלֹא הַגּוֹיִם.
יִהְיֶ֥הwill beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (future promise)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future realizationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; impf expresses the future state of Ephraim's descendants.
מְלֹֽאfullness ofN m sg constr · מְלֹא (H4393)Predicate complement of יִהְיֶה (construct chain)מְלֹא (H4393) 'fullness, that which fills'; construct; the phrase מְלֹא הַגּוֹיִם is an important crux — often rendered 'a multitude of nations' or 'fullness of nations.'
הַגּוֹיִֽםthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitival object of מְלֹאגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; with article and plural; the grandiose scope of Ephraim's promised posterity.
20

וַיְבָ֨רֲכֵ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַהוּא֮ לֵאמוֹר֒ בְּךָ֗ יְבָרֵ֤ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יְשִֽׂמְךָ֣ אֱלֹהִ֔ים כְּאֶפְרַ֖יִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת אֶפְרַ֖יִם לִפְנֵ֥י מְנַשֶּֽׁה

And he blessed them on that day, saying, 'By you Israel will bless, saying, May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh.' And he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

Their names become a future Israelite blessing formula, with Ephraim set firstוַיְבָ֨רֲכֵ֜ם
The individual act becomes communal memory, and the reversed order is fixed into Israel’s own language of blessing.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְבָ֨רֲכֵ֜םblessed themPiel wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel + 3mp suffix = 'blessed them both'; the blessing is formally completed on that day.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article and following demonstrative = 'on that day'; marking the occasion as historically memorable.
הַהוּא֮thatart + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of בַּיּוֹםהוּא (H1931) used as demonstrative adjective with article; הַיּוֹם הַהוּא 'that day.'
לֵאמוֹר֒sayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival clause (manner of blessing)→ Infinitive construct: attendant mannerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר standard formula introducing the content of a pronouncement.
בְּךָ֗by youprep בְּ + 2ms suffixPrepositional phrase (standard of blessing)בְּ with 2ms suffix; 'by you' = 'invoking your name'; the blessing formula uses Ephraim and Manasseh as the paradigm of divine favor.
יְבָרֵ֤ךְwill blessPiel impf 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (future Israelite practice)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — customary future practiceבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; the impf here describes the habitual future act of Israel invoking these names in blessing.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙IsraelProper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of יְבָרֵךְיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the collective nation in future generations will use these two names as a blessing formula.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitival clause introducing the formula→ Infinitive construct: attendant mannerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; second לֵאמֹר introducing the actual words of the future formula.
יְשִֽׂמְךָ֣may he make youQal impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · שִׂים (H7760)Jussive (the blessing formula proper)→ Yiqtol: volitional — jussive wishשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, make, set'; + 2ms suffix = 'make you'; the blessing asks God to replicate in the recipient what Ephraim and Manasseh received.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of יְשִׂמְךָאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the agent of the blessing formula.
כְּאֶפְרַ֖יִםlike Ephraimprep כְּ + Proper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Comparative prepositional phraseאֶפְרַיִם (H669); named first in the formula, reflecting the primacy now granted the younger.
וְכִמְנַשֶּׁ֑הand like Manassehconj וְ + prep כְּ + Proper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Coordinated comparative phraseמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); named second; the order memorializes the patriarchal reversal permanently in Israel's liturgical language.
וַיָּ֥שֶׂםsetQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to set, place'; the narrator records Jacob's final ordering of the two brothers' rank.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
אֶפְרַ֖יִםEphraimProper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Direct object of וַיָּשֶׂםאֶפְרַיִם (H669); placed first in the formal ranking.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N (c) pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of precedenceפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, front'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in front of'; Jacob formally sets Ephraim before Manasseh in rank.
מְנַשֶּֽׁהManassehProper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Object of לִפְנֵימְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); placed after Ephraim by Jacob's final narrative act, permanently fixing the reversed order.
21

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶל יוֹסֵ֔ף הִנֵּ֥ה אָנֹכִ֖י מֵ֑ת וְהָיָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם וְהֵשִׁ֣יב אֶתְכֶ֔ם אֶל אֶ֖רֶץ אֲבֹתֵיכֶֽם

And Israel said to Joseph, 'Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.'

Jacob’s dying confession turns the family’s hope back toward the fathers’ landוַיֹּ֤אמֶר
Death is acknowledged, but the final word is that God will remain with them and bring them back.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרsaidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Jacob's final words turning the scene toward the promise of divine accompaniment and return.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙IsraelProper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the patriarch speaks in his covenant name, reinforcing that what follows is prophetic promise.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of directionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Joseph as the addressee.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephProper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Object of אֶל (addressee)יוֹסֵף (H3130); the son who receives the dying patriarch's final promises of divine presence and return.
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-drawing particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; marks the immediacy and gravity of the death announcement that follows.
אָנֹכִ֖יIpers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of verbless clauseאָנֹכִי (H595) emphatic 1cs pronoun; the emphatic form adds solemnity to the death announcement.
מֵ֑תdyingQal ptc m sg abs · מוּת (H4191)Predicate participle (imminent fact)→ Participle: ongoing process — I am in the act of dyingמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Qal ptc used predicatively = 'I am dying'; the present-tense force of the ptc acknowledges imminent death.
וְהָיָ֤הand will beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal (sequential future consequential)→ Weqatal: future consequent — follows from Jacob's deathהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; weqatal expresses the future reality that will follow Jacob's death.
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וְהָיָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the divine presence is promised to continue with the family after the patriarch's death.
עִמָּכֶ֔םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (divine accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'; the promise of divine presence with the family is a recurring patriarchal assurance.
וְהֵשִׁ֣יבand will bring backconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Weqatal (sequential future promise)→ Weqatal: future consequent — the return to the landשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Hiphil 'to bring back, restore'; God will bring them back to Canaan — the exodus promise in nuce.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyou [obj]obj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְהֵשִׁיבאֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix 'you (pl.)'; addresses the whole family collectively.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of direction (land)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; direction of the promised return.
אֶ֖רֶץland ofN (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of אֶל (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct chain with the fathers; the promised land of Canaan.
אֲבֹתֵיכֶֽםyour fathersN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitival object of אֶרֶץאָב (H1) 'father'; 2mp suffix 'your fathers'; the patriarchal land to which the family will return under God's direction.
22

וַאֲנִ֞י נָתַ֧תִּֽי לְךָ֛ שְׁכֶ֥ם אַחַ֖ד עַל אַחֶ֑יךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר לָקַ֨חְתִּי֙ מִיַּ֣ד הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י בְּחַרְבִּ֖י וּבְקַשְׁתִּֽי

'And I myself give to you one shekhem above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.'

Joseph receives an additional shekhem above his brothersוַאֲנִ֞י
Closes with a distinguished portion marked by difficult inheritance language, reinforcing Joseph’s special standing within the family’s future.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַאֲנִ֞יand Iconj וְ + pers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Fronted subject (contrast or emphasis)אֲנִי (H589) 1cs independent pronoun with contrastive force; Jacob takes personal responsibility for this additional gift to Joseph.
נָתַ֧תִּֽיgiveQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (performative perfect)→ Perfective: performative — the gift is hereby given by speechנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the perfect here is performative — the patriarch's spoken word constitutes the gift.
לְךָ֛to youprep לְ + 2ms suffixIndirect object of נָתַתִּילְ with 2ms suffix; Joseph is the recipient of the additional portion above his brothers.
שְׁכֶ֥םa shekhemN m sg abs · שֶׁכֶם (H7926)Direct object of נָתַתִּישֶׁכֶם (H7926) 'shoulder, ridge; Shechem (the city)'; an interpretive crux: either a geographical portion (= the city of Shechem) or a common noun 'one portion/ridge above'; the wordplay is deliberate.
אַחַ֖דoneNumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying שְׁכֶםאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; used as adjective 'one portion'; the specificity marks the gift as a singular additional inheritance above the other brothers.
עַלaboveprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of comparative advantageעַל (H5921) 'upon, above, over'; here comparative 'above, more than'; Joseph gets one portion above what his brothers receive.
אַחֶ֑יךָyour brothersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Object of עַל (comparative)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the gift exceeds the standard inheritance of any single brother; Joseph's double portion is implicit in the elevation of his two sons to tribal status.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhichrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause headאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the clause explaining how Jacob obtained the portion.
לָקַ֨חְתִּי֙I tookQal perf 1cs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed past takingלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive, seize'; the perfect describes a past acquisition, whether literal or traditional; refers to conquest of the Shechem region.
מִיַּ֣דfrom the hand ofprep מִן + N (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase of source/agentיָד (H3027) 'hand'; מִיַּד 'from the hand of' indicates agency or possession from which something was wrested.
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔יthe Amoriteart + gentilic noun m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Object of מִיַּדאֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; one of the Canaanite peoples; used collectively for the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the land; the reference may recall events at Shechem (Gen 34).
בְּחַרְבִּ֖יwith my swordprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 1cs suffix · חֶרֶב (H2719)Instrumental prepositional phraseחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; with בְּ instrumental; the means of acquisition; a debated reference, possibly metaphorical or recalling the Dinah incident.
וּבְקַשְׁתִּֽיand with my bowconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg constr + 1cs suffix · קֶשֶׁת (H7198)Coordinated instrumental prepositional phraseקֶשֶׁת (H7198) 'bow'; paired with sword for a hendiadys of armed taking; whether literal or metaphorical remains debated, but the text keeps the martial image concrete and unresolved.