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Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
…14But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.15Then he blessedJosephand said:“May the Godbeforewhommy fathersAbrahamand Isaacwalked,the Godwho has been my shepherdall my lifetothisday,16the angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”…

Treasury of Scripture

And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long to this day,

blessed.

Genesis 48:16
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Genesis 27:4
And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bringit to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Genesis 28:3
And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

did walk.

Genesis 5:22-24
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: …

Genesis 6:9
Theseare the generations of Noah: Noah was a just manand perfect in his generations,and Noah walked with God.

Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, Iam the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

fed me.

Genesis 28:20,22
And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, …

Psalm 23:1
A Psalm of David. The LORDis my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good;so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

AbrahamBlessedBlessethBlessingCareFathersFedFeedingHabituallyIsaacJosephLifeShepherdWalkWalkedWorshipAbrahamBlessedBlessethBlessingCareFathersFedFeedingHabituallyIsaacJosephLifeShepherdWalkWalkedWorship1.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.

Then he blessed Joseph and said:
This moment is significant as Jacob, also known as Israel, is imparting a blessing upon Joseph, his favored son. In the patriarchal tradition, blessings were not only expressions of goodwill but also carried prophetic and covenantal significance. This act of blessing is a continuation of the Abrahamic covenant, emphasizing the importance of family lineage and divine favor.

May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
Jacob invokes the God of his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac, highlighting the continuity of faith and the covenantal relationship established with them. This phrase underscores the patriarchal lineage and the faithfulness of God across generations. It reflects the biblical theme of walking with God, which implies living in obedience and fellowship with Him, as seen inGenesis 5:24 with Enoch andGenesis 6:9 with Noah.

the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
Jacob acknowledges God as his shepherd, a metaphor that conveys guidance, provision, and protection. This imagery is prevalent throughout Scripture, notably inPsalm 23, where David describes the Lord as his shepherd. The shepherd motif is also a type of Christ, who is referred to as the Good Shepherd inJohn 10:11. Jacob's recognition of God's shepherding role reflects a personal relationship and reliance on divine care throughout his life, despite his many trials and tribulations.

1.Jacob (Israel)
The patriarch who is blessing his son Joseph and his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob is reflecting on his life and the faithfulness of God.

2.Joseph
Jacob's beloved son, who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to become a powerful leader in Egypt. Joseph is present as his father blesses his sons.

3.Abraham and Isaac
Jacob's forefathers, who also walked with God. Their faith and covenant relationship with God are foundational to Jacob's blessing.

4.Ephraim and Manasseh
Joseph's sons, who are being blessed by Jacob. This blessing is significant as it places them among the tribes of Israel.

5.God as Shepherd
Jacob refers to God as his shepherd, a metaphor that signifies guidance, provision, and protection throughout his life.Faithfulness Across Generations
Jacob's blessing highlights the continuity of faith from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. We are encouraged to pass on our faith to future generations.

God as Our Shepherd
Just as Jacob recognized God as his shepherd, we are called to trust in God's guidance and provision in our own lives.

Reflecting on God's Faithfulness
Jacob's reflection on his life encourages us to look back and recognize God's hand in our own journeys.

Blessing Others
Jacob's act of blessing Joseph and his sons reminds us of the importance of speaking blessings and encouragement into the lives of others.

Legacy of Faith
The blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh signifies the importance of leaving a spiritual legacy that honors God.1.What is the meaning of Genesis 48:15?

2.How does Jacob's blessing in Genesis 48:15 reflect God's faithfulness throughout generations?

3.What can we learn about God's guidance from Jacob's life in Genesis 48:15?

4.How does Jacob's blessing connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:1-3?

5.How can we trust God as our shepherd like Jacob in Genesis 48:15?

6.How does Jacob's blessing inspire us to bless future generations today?

7.What is the significance of Jacob blessing Joseph's sons in Genesis 48:15?

8.How does Genesis 48:15 reflect God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

9.Why does Jacob refer to God as "the God who has been my shepherd" in Genesis 48:15?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 48?

11.Genesis 48:15–16 – Does Jacob’s claim about God’s protection match the historically polytheistic environment, or is there archaeological evidence supporting monotheism at this time?

12.Is there only one shepherd?

13.Genesis 50:24-25 mentions Joseph's assurance that his bones will eventually leave Egypt. Is there any extrabiblical evidence suggesting a later fulfillment of this promise?

14.If God promised the land to Israel, why were the Ephraimites unable to drive out the Canaanites (Joshua 16:10), raising questions about divine promises?Then he blessed Joseph and said

Jacob, now called Israel, is near death (Genesis 48:1–2). He gathers strength to confer a blessing on Joseph by placing his hands on Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48:13–14). Scripture treats a patriarchal blessing as more than warm wishes—it is an authoritative transfer of covenant promises (compareGenesis 27:27–29;Hebrews 11:21). By blessing Joseph’s sons, Jacob:

• Treats them as his own heirs, giving Joseph a double portion (Genesis 48:5–6).

• Publicly affirms God’s continuing plan through Joseph’s line, even though Judah carries the royal promise (Genesis 49:10).

This opening phrase underscores that Jacob is intentionally acting under God’s guidance, not merely indulging in sentiment at life’s end.

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May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked

Jacob roots the blessing in the unchanging character of “the God of Abraham and Isaac” (Exodus 3:6). He highlights:

• Covenant continuity—Abraham was told, “Walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1). Isaac followed the same path (Genesis 26:24–25).

• Personal relationship—“walked” pictures steady, obedient fellowship (Micah 6:8).

• Faith legacy—each generation hands the covenant to the next (Romans 4:13;Galatians 3:29).

Jacob is saying, in effect, “Joseph, you and your sons stand in the exact same river of promise that flowed through our fathers.” The God who never changes (Malachi 3:6) remains fully committed to His oath (Hebrews 6:13–17).

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the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day

For the first time in Scripture, God is explicitly called a shepherd. Jacob’s testimony is deeply personal:

• Protection—God guarded him from Esau (Genesis 33:4) and Laban (Genesis 31:42).

• Provision—God supplied flocks, family, and favor in Egypt (Genesis 30:43; 47:27).

• Guidance—From Bethel’s ladder (Genesis 28:15) to the vision of going down to Egypt (Genesis 46:3–4), the Lord directed each step.

These same shepherding themes echo later inPsalm 23:1 andJohn 10:11, showing that Jacob’s experience previews God’s ongoing care for His people. By saying “all my life to this day,” the patriarch confesses lifelong faithfulness, even though his own actions were far from flawless. Grace, not human perfection, sustains the covenant story (2 Timothy 2:13).

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summary

Genesis 48:15 reveals Jacob passing the covenant torch to Joseph’s sons with confident praise. He blesses under divine authority, invokes the faithful God of his fathers, and testifies to a lifetime of shepherd-like care. The verse reassures every reader that the same unchanging, personal, protective God stands ready to guide successive generations who trust His promises.

(15, 16)He blessed Joseph, and said.--In Jacob's blessing there is a threefold appellation of the Deity, and a threefold blessing given to Joseph's sons. God is, first, the Elohim before whom his fathers had walked. Next, He is the Elohim who, as a shepherd, had watched over Jacob all his life long. But, thirdly, He is that Divine Presence which had been, and still was, Jacob's "goel," redeeming and rescuing him from all evil. The blessing is first general, the verb "bless" being singular, which, following the threefold repetition of God's name in the plural, is rightly used by Luther as a proof of a Trinity in Unity in the Godhead. Secondly, Ephraim and Manasseh are to bear the names, and be the representatives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Lastly, they are to grow into a multitude with extraordinary rapidity, the word used signifying that they were to increase with a prolificness as great as that of fishes.

The word "goel" is here used for the first time. It subsequently became the term for the nearest blood relative, whose duty it was to avenge a murder; but it is here used in its wider sense of a Saviour and a Deliverer. (Comp.Exodus 6:6;Isaiah 59:20, &c.) The angel who wrestled with Jacob cannot accurately be described as having appeared to him in the character of a deliverer (Genesis 32:24-30). He appeared as an adversary; and Jacob learned in the struggle, by overcoming him, that he had power with God and man, and would prevail over all the difficulties and foes that still stood in his way. Moreover, the verb is present, "the angel that redeemeth me from all evil." Jacob recognised a Divine Presence which constantly guarded him, and which was ever his Redeemer and Saviour.

Verses 15,16. -And he blessed Joseph (i.e. in his sons),and said, God, - literally, theElohim. The use of Elohim in a passage (vers. 15-19) which is undoubtedly Jehovistic in its import, and is by advanced critics (Davidson, Colenso) assigned to that writer, has been explained (Hengstenberg) as an indication that "the great spiritual Sun, Jehovah, was at that time," viz., at the entrance of the captivity, "concealed behind a cloud from the chosen race;" but, without resorting to any such doubtful hypothesis, it is sufficient to observe that Jacob practically identities the Elohim spoken of with Jehovah, while by using the former expression he conveys the thought that the blessing about to be pronounced proceeded forth, not from Deity in general, but from the particular Elohim who had graciously manifested himself in the manner after described -before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, - (cf.Genesis 17:1;Genesis 24:40) the God here referred to was one who had "a face," or manifested presence; in other words, was Jehovah -the God which fed me - literally,the Elohim shepherding me (cf.Psalm 23:1;Psalm 28:9) -all my life long - literally,from as yet (sc. I was),i.e. from the beginning of my existence,ἐξ νεότητος (LXX. ) -unto this day, the Angel - the Maleach here spoken of cannot possibly be a creature, since he is explicitly identified with Elohim, but must have been the Jehovah Angel with whom Jacob wrestled at the ford of Jabbok (Genesis 32:23-7-29). The reading of the Samaritan codex,הַמֶּלֶך, the king, is open to suspicion -which redeemed me from all evil, - literally, the (sc. angel)redeeming me; the first use of theterm goel, fromגָּאַל, to buy back or redeem (Gesenius), to separate or untie (Furst), or to stain as with blood, hence to be stained or polluted, as one who suffers a kinsman's blood to go unavenged, hence to remove the stain of blood by taking vengeance on the murderer (Taylor Lewis). Applied under the law to the next of kin (Leviticus 25:25;Leviticus 27:13, 15, 19, etc., etc.), it is also used of God redeeming men, and especially Israel, from captivity (Exodus 6:6;Isaiah 43:1). In this sense it was employed by Jacob (cf.Genesis 48:16 with Genesis 49:18) and by Job (Job 19:21) to describe the Divine Rescuer who had delivered them from ill both temporal and spiritual, and who was to complete his emancipating work by ultimately ransoming them from the power of the grave. TheGoel to whom both Jacob and Job looked forward, and of whom both Moses and the prophets testified, was Christ (Galatians 3:11;Titus 2:14;1 Peter 1:18) -bless the lads. The singular verb suggests to Luther the reflection that the writer "conjungit in uno opere benedicendi tres personas, Deum Patrem, Deum Pastorem, et Angelum," from which he draws the obvious conclusion, "aunt igitur hi tres unus Deus et unus benedictor."And let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; - literally,and my name and the name of my fathers shall be named in them, i.e. they shall be counted my sons and the children of my ancestors, though born of thee (Calvin, Rosenmüller, Lawson, Murphy, Wordsworth, and others); or, May this name be preserved by them, and the race of Abraham propagated by them? may the fathers and I live in them! (Gerlach, Kalisch); or, what seems more appropriate than either, May the grace and salvation enjoyed by my fathers and myself be renewed in them! (Keil, Lange) -and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. The original conveys the sense of swarming like the fishes of the sea, theἀπαξ λεγόμενον,דָּגָה (from which comes the termדָּג, a fish, from being so wonderfully prolific), signifying to cover over with a multitude (vide Gesenius, 'Lexicon,' subvoce).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then he blessed
וַיְבָ֥רֶךְ(way·ḇā·reḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288:To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

Joseph
יוֹסֵ֖ף(yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130:Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

and said:
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר(way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say

“May the God
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֡ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

before
לְפָנָיו֙(lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440:The face

whom
אֲשֶׁר֩(’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

my fathers
אֲבֹתַ֤י(’ă·ḇō·ṯay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1:Father

Abraham
אַבְרָהָ֣ם(’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85:Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

and Isaac
וְיִצְחָ֔ק(wə·yiṣ·ḥāq)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327:Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

walked,
הִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ(hiṯ·hal·lə·ḵū)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walk

the God
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

who has been my shepherd
הָרֹעֶ֣ה(hā·rō·‘eh)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7462:To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

all my life
מֵעוֹדִ֖י(mê·‘ō·w·ḏî)
Preposition-m | Adverb | first person common singular
Strong's 5750:Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

to
עַד־(‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, while

this
הַזֶּֽה׃(haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, that

day,
הַיּ֥וֹם(hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A day


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OT Law: Genesis 48:15 He blessed Joseph and said The God (Gen. Ge Gn)