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◄ Genesis 48:17►

New International Version
When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

New Living Translation
But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

English Standard Version
When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

Berean Standard Bible
When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.

King James Bible
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.

New King James Version
Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

New American Standard Bible
When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

NASB 1995
When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

NASB 1977
When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Joseph saw that his father set his right hand on Ephraim’s head, and it was displeasing in his sight; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

Amplified Bible
When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him [because he was not the firstborn]; and he grasped his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

Christian Standard Bible
When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he thought it was a mistake and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he thought it was a mistake and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.

American Standard Version
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.

Contemporary English Version
Joseph did not like it when he saw his father place his right hand on the head of the younger son. So he tried to move his father's right hand from Ephraim's head and place it on Manasseh.

English Revised Version
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Joseph saw that his father had put his right hand on Ephraim's head, he didn't like it. So he took his father's hand in order to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's.

Good News Translation
Joseph was upset when he saw that his father had put his right hand on Ephraim's head; so he took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to the head of Manasseh.

International Standard Version
But Joseph observed that his father had laid his right hand on Ephraim's head. That displeased him, so he grabbed his father's hand and started to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

NET Bible
When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, it displeased him. So he took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

New Heart English Bible
When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he grasped his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he lifted his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.

World English Bible
When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Joseph sees that his father sets his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and it is wrong in his eyes, and he supports the hand of his father to turn it aside from off the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasseh;

Young's Literal Translation
And Joseph seeth that his father setteth his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and it is wrong in his eyes, and he supporteth the hand of his father to turn it aside from off the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasseh;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joseph will see that his father will put his right hand upon Ephraim's head, and it will be evil in his eyes: and he will take hold of his father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Joseph seeing that his father had put his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, was much displeased: and taking his father's hand he tried to lift it from Ephraims head, and to remove it to the head of Manasses.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Joseph, seeing that his father had placed his right hand over the head of Ephraim, took it gravely. And grasping his father’s hand, he tried to lift it from Ephraim’s head and transfer it onto the head of Manasseh.

New American Bible
When Joseph saw that his father had laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, this seemed wrong to him; so he took hold of his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s,

New Revised Standard Version
When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yoseph saw that his father placed his right hand on the head of Aphreim, and it was displeasing in his eyes, and he held the hand of his father to move it from the head of Aphreim and to place it on the head of Menasheh.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And when Joseph saw that his father was laying his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joseph having seen that his father put his right hand on the head of Ephraim - it seemed grievous to him; and Joseph took hold of the hand of his father, to remove it from the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasse.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
…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.”17When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head,he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.18“Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Genesis 27:18-29
So Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.” “Here I am!” he answered. “Which one are you, my son?” / Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may bless me.” / But Isaac asked his son, “How did you ever find it so quickly, my son?” “Because the LORD your God brought it to me,” he replied. ...

Genesis 25:23
and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 27:36
So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”

Genesis 37:3
Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors.

Genesis 41:51-52
Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” / And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Genesis 49:3-4
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. / Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.

Exodus 13:2
“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

Deuteronomy 21:17
Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

1 Chronicles 5:1-2
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. / And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

Psalm 78:67-68
He rejected the tent of Joseph and refused the tribe of Ephraim. / But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved.

Romans 9:12-13
not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” / So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Hebrews 11:21
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Luke 1:51-52
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. / He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

Treasury of Scripture

And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

laid his.

Genesis 48:14
And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laidit upon Ephraim's head, whowas the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manassehwas the firstborn.

displeased him.

Genesis 28:8
And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;

Genesis 38:10
And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

Numbers 11:1
Andwhen the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heardit; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumedthem that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

Jump to Previous

Displeased Ephraim E'phraim Ephraim's E'phraim's Evil Eyes Father's Grasped Hand Head Held Hold Joseph Laid Lifting Manasseh Manasseh's Manas'seh's Move Placing Remove Right Seem Supporteth Turn Wrong

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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.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head
In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, the right hand symbolized power, authority, and blessing. The right hand was typically used to confer the primary blessing upon the firstborn. Joseph, aware of this tradition, expected his father Jacob to place his right hand on Manasseh, the elder son. This act of placing the right hand on Ephraim, the younger, was unexpected and significant, indicating a divinely inspired choice that defied cultural norms. This moment echoes the theme of God choosing the younger over the elder, as seen with Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau.

he was displeased
Joseph's displeasure reflects his understanding of the cultural and familial expectations regarding birthright and blessing. His reaction underscores the human tendency to rely on tradition and expectation rather than divine guidance. This moment highlights the tension between human plans and God's sovereign will, a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s
Joseph's attempt to correct his father's action demonstrates his respect for the traditional order of blessing. However, it also reveals a lack of understanding of God's purpose in this situation. This act of trying to redirect the blessing parallels other biblical narratives where human intervention attempts to alter divine plans, such as Sarah's plan for Hagar to bear Abraham's child. It serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's wisdom and timing.

from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s
The specific mention of Ephraim and Manasseh is significant in the broader biblical narrative. Ephraim, though the younger, would become the more prominent tribe in Israel, fulfilling Jacob's prophetic blessing. This reversal of expectations is a type of Christ, who often upends societal norms and expectations, choosing the humble and lowly to accomplish His purposes. The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh would later play crucial roles in the history of Israel, with Ephraim often representing the northern kingdom. This moment foreshadows the unexpected ways God works through history to fulfill His promises.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Joseph
The son of Jacob and Rachel, who became a powerful leader in Egypt. In this passage, he is concerned about the blessing of his sons.

2.Jacob (Israel)
The patriarch who is blessing his grandsons. He intentionally places his right hand on Ephraim, the younger grandson, signifying a greater blessing.

3.Ephraim
The younger son of Joseph, who receives the primary blessing from Jacob, contrary to cultural norms.

4.Manasseh
The elder son of Joseph, who traditionally would receive the greater blessing but is placed under Ephraim by Jacob.

5.Egypt
The land where this event takes place, as Joseph and his family are residing there during the famine.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty Over Human Traditions
God's plans often transcend human customs and expectations. Jacob's blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh demonstrates that God's purposes are not bound by cultural norms.

Faith in God's Plan
Like Jacob, believers are called to trust in God's wisdom and direction, even when it contradicts societal expectations or personal desires.

The Role of Blessings
Blessings in the Bible often signify God's favor and purpose. Understanding the significance of blessings can deepen our appreciation for God's providence in our lives.

Acceptance of God's Will
Joseph's initial displeasure shows a natural human reaction to unexpected outcomes. However, believers are encouraged to accept God's will, trusting that His ways are higher than ours.

Generational Impact
The blessings Jacob gives have long-term implications for the tribes of Israel. Our actions and decisions can have lasting effects on future generations.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Genesis 48:17?

2.Why did Joseph try to correct Jacob's blessing in Genesis 48:17?

3.How does Genesis 48:17 illustrate God's sovereignty in choosing leaders?

4.What can we learn about God's plans from Jacob's actions in Genesis 48:17?

5.How does Genesis 48:17 connect to God's unexpected choices throughout Scripture?

6.How should we respond when God's plans differ from our expectations, as in Genesis 48:17?

7.Why did Joseph disapprove of Jacob's blessing order in Genesis 48:17?

8.What significance does the right hand hold in Genesis 48:17?

9.How does Genesis 48:17 reflect on God's sovereignty in choosing leaders?

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

11.Genesis 48:17–19 – Why would God supposedly favor Ephraim over Manasseh despite established primogeniture traditions, and is there any extrabiblical data supporting this choice?

12.What is the significance of the Tribe of Manasseh?

13.Genesis 48:14 – How can Jacob’s crossing of his hands and reversing birth order be reconciled with typical ancient customs?

14.In Genesis 38:27–30, how do we reconcile the unusual birth story of Perez and Zerah with other scriptural and modern biological understandings of twins?

What Does Genesis 48:17 Mean

When Joseph saw

• Joseph, still acting as Egypt’s prime minister, is also a devoted son, keenly watching every gesture of his aging father (Genesis 46:29).

• He recognizes that Jacob’s hands are not trembling accidents; he knows the patriarch is enacting a covenant blessing similar to Isaac’s earlier (Genesis 27:27-29).

• The moment recalls Joseph’s own youthful dreams of family destiny (Genesis 37:5-11), so his attention is heightened.

…that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head

• In Scripture the right hand signifies strength, authority, and preeminence (Psalm 110:1;Matthew 26:64).

• Jacob’s deliberate crossing of hands (Genesis 48:14) repeats a familiar divine pattern—God often elevates the younger over the elder (Abel over Cain, Jacob over Esau, David over Eliab).

• The act establishes Ephraim as possessing the “firstborn” portion among Joseph’s sons, later evident when Ephraim becomes the dominant northern tribe (Numbers 1:32-33;Hosea 11:8).

…he was displeased

• Joseph’s reaction reveals a natural, fatherly expectation: Manasseh is the firstborn and deserves the greater blessing (Deuteronomy 21:17).

• His displeasure mirrors earlier family tensions caused by perceived favoritism—tensions Joseph himself once suffered (Genesis 37:3-4).

• Yet the narrative reminds readers that human discomfort does not overturn God’s sovereign choice (Romans 9:10-12).

…and took his father’s hand to move it

• Joseph attempts to “correct” what he assumes is an error, gently redirecting the right hand toward Manasseh (similar protective instinct in2 Samuel 6:6).

• Jacob resists because he is acting under divine insight, not failing eyesight (Genesis 48:19).

• The scene underlines a key lesson: blessings are bestowed by revelation, not by human protocol (Proverbs 19:21;James 1:17).

summary

Genesis 48:17 captures a tense yet tender clash of expectations: Joseph seeks fairness for his firstborn, while Jacob, guided by God, confers the preeminent blessing on the younger Ephraim. The verse teaches that divine purpose often overturns customary order, affirming that God’s sovereign choice, not human arrangement, ultimately determines the flow of covenant blessing.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. -And when (literally,and)Joseph saw that his father laid (or was laying)his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: - literally,and it was evil in his eyes (cf.Genesis 28:8) -and (supposing his father had made a mistake)he held up (or took hold of)his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

saw
וַיַּ֣רְא(way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To see

that
כִּי־(kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

his father
אָבִ֧יו(’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1:Father

had placed
יָשִׁ֨ית(yā·šîṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7896:To put, set

his right
יְמִינ֛וֹ(yə·mî·nōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3225:The right hand, side, the south

hand
יַד־(yaḏ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027:A hand

on
עַל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

Ephraim’s
אֶפְרַ֖יִם(’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669:Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

head,
רֹ֥אשׁ(rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218:The head

he was displeased
וַיֵּ֣רַע(way·yê·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7489:To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad

and took
וַיִּתְמֹ֣ךְ(way·yiṯ·mōḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8551:To sustain, to obtain, keep fast, to help, follow close

his father’s
אָבִ֗יו(’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1:Father

hand
יַד־(yaḏ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027:A hand

to move
לְהָסִ֥יר(lə·hā·sîr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5493:To turn aside

it
אֹתָ֛הּ(’ō·ṯāh)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

from
מֵעַ֥ל(mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

Ephraim’s
אֶפְרַ֖יִם(’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669:Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

head
רֹאשׁ־(rōš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218:The head

to
עַל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

Manasseh’s.
מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃(mə·naš·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4519:Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites

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OT Law: Genesis 48:17 When Joseph saw that his father laid (Gen. Ge Gn)