The Meaning of Genesis 48:8 Explained

Genesis 48:8

KJV: And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?

YLT: And Israel seeth the sons of Joseph, and saith, 'Who are these?'

Darby: And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?

ASV: And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?

Discover Genesis 48:8

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Genesis 48:8?

MEANING: What does Genesis 48:8 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Genesis 48:8 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Genesis 48:8?

What is the context of Genesis 48:8?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who [are] these?

What does Genesis 48:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 48:8-22 - Jacob Blesses Joseph's Sons

By his act in blessing them, Jacob reversed the verdict of birth, and gave the younger the birthright. Probably there were qualities in Ephraim which naturally put him in the foremost place. The Bible is full of hope for younger sons. He spoke of the Angel, Jehovah, so often referred to in the Old Testament, and who can be no other than the Son of God. He also is our Shepherd, Guardian and Friend. He will feed and tend us all our life long. He will redeem us from all evil and bring us to a blessed end in peace. Be of good cheer! He cared for you in your helpless infancy and will do no less in your helpless old age. If any lads hear this portion read let them notice that old Jacob prayed God to bless the lads. Evidently then, no little lad is too small for God to notice and bless! Though the fathers die, God lives and will bring us again to "the land of the leal." [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 48

¹ Joseph with his sons visits his sick father
² Jacob strengthens himself to bless them
³ He repeats God's promise
⁵ He takes Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons
⁷ He tells Joseph of his mother's grave
⁸ He blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
¹⁷ He prefers the younger before the elder
²¹ He prophesies their return to Canaan

What do the individual words in Genesis 48:8 mean?

And saw Israel - sons of Joseph and said who [are] these

וַיַּ֥רְא יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶת־ בְּנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֑ף וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מִי־ ؟ אֵֽלֶּה

וַיַּ֥רְא	And saw
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: רָאָה Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל	Israel
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
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.
בְּנֵ֣י	sons
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct Root: בֵּן Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יוֹסֵ֑ף	of Joseph
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: יׄוסֵף Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר	and said
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: אָמַר Sense: to say, speak, utter.
מִי־	who [are]
Parse: Interrogative Root: מִי Sense: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever.
؟ אֵֽלֶּה	these
Parse: Pronoun, common plural Root: אֵהֶל Sense: these.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 48:8?

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