The Meaning of Genesis 41:51 Explained

Genesis 41:51

KJV: And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

YLT: and Joseph calleth the name of the first-born Manasseh: 'for, God hath made me to forget all my labour, and all the house of my father;'

Darby: And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh For God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

ASV: And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh: For,'said he , God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Joseph  called  the name  of the firstborn  Manasseh:  For God,  [said he], hath made me forget  all my toil,  and all my father's  house. 

What does Genesis 41:51 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 41:37-57 - Joseph, Exalted, Prepares For Famine
The Spirit of God was evidently in Joseph, but so far from rendering him a mere visionary, it made him eminently practical. Have your visions of God, but descend from your housetop to answer the men who knock at your door! See Acts 10:1-48. In this story we see reflected the glories of our Lord, who was raised to the throne, to become a Prince and a Savior, the Giver of the Bread of Life to the perishing souls of men. But He sells without money and without price! Joseph's marriage to an Egyptian bride reminds us of our Lord's union with the Gentile Church, on the significance of which Paul so strenuously insists. If you live for God, He will see to your interests. Such joy will be yours that you will forget your sorrows (Manasseh) and become fruitful in the land of affliction (Ephraim). [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 41

1  Pharaoh has two dreams
9  Joseph interprets them
33  He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married
46  The seven years of plenty
50  He begets children
53  The famine begins

What do the individual words in Genesis 41:51 mean?

And called Joseph - the name of the firstborn Manasseh for has made me forget God all my toil and house of my father
וַיִּקְרָ֥א יוֹסֵ֛ף אֶת־ שֵׁ֥ם הַבְּכ֖וֹר מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה כִּֽי־ נַשַּׁ֤נִי אֱלֹהִים֙ כָּל־ עֲמָלִ֔י וְאֵ֖ת בֵּ֥ית אָבִֽי

וַיִּקְרָ֥א  And  called 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
יוֹסֵ֛ף  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
שֵׁ֥ם  the  name 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.
הַבְּכ֖וֹר  of  the  firstborn 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: בְּכֹר  
Sense: firstborn, firstling.
מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה  Manasseh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: מְנַשֶּׁה  
Sense: the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh.
נַשַּׁ֤נִי  has  made  me  forget 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: נָשָׁה  
Sense: to forget, deprive.
אֱלֹהִים֙  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
עֲמָלִ֔י  my  toil 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: עָמָל  
Sense: .
בֵּ֥ית  house 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
אָבִֽי  of  my  father 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.