In Genesis 48, the story about Ephraim and Manasseh shifts from the political and economic survival of Israel in Egypt (Genesis 47) to the spiritual inheritance that would shape the identity of the tribes of Israel for generations. Jacob is near death, and Joseph brings his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to receive a blessing. What unfolds is not merely a touching family moment, but a profound act of divine prophecy. Jacob, under the guidance of God, does something unexpected: he gives the greater blessing to the younger son, Ephraim. This act is not favoritism; it is revelation. It is God authoring the end of the story, not just foreseeing it.
Ephraim and Manasseh: Joseph’s Double Portion
Joseph, though not listed as one of the twelve tribes himself, receives a double portion through his sons. In Genesis 48:5, Jacob says:
“And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine.”
By adopting Joseph’s sons as his own, Jacob effectively gives Joseph the inheritance of two tribes. This honors Joseph’s faithfulness and elevates him to the status of the firstborn (since Reuben forfeited his rights). It fulfills the ancient practice of granting the firstborn a double share (Deuteronomy 21:17).
The Crossing of Hands: A Prophetic Gesture
When Jacob stretches out his hands to bless the boys, he intentionally crosses them—placing his right hand on Ephraim, the younger, and his left on Manasseh, the older. Joseph tries to correct his father, but Jacob refuses:
“I know it, my son, I know it… he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he” (Genesis 48:19).
This is a pattern we see throughout Genesis: God choosing the younger over the older—Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, and now Ephraim over Manasseh. It is not man’s order, but God’s sovereign design. Jacob is not senile; he is prophetic. He speaks not by sight, but by the Spirit.
The Portion Taken by Sword and Bow
In Genesis 48:22, Jacob tells Joseph:
“Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.”
This line is puzzling because there is no recorded battle in Genesis where Jacob physically takes land with weapons. Scholars offer several explanations:
- Prophetic Foretelling: Jacob may be speaking prophetically, referencing land his descendants would conquer under Joshua. This fits the pattern of Jacob speaking with spiritual foresight.
- Reference to Shechem: The Hebrew word for “portion” is Shekem, which could mean the city of Shechem. It was taken violently by Simeon and Levi in Genesis 34, and later given as an inheritance to Joseph’s descendants (Joshua 24:32).
- Unrecorded Conflict: It’s possible Jacob had some skirmish not recorded in Genesis.
Regardless, this portion represents both a material inheritance and a spiritual position. Joseph receives both land and legacy.
God Is the Author of the End
This chapter exemplifies a profound truth:
“God is not just predicting the future—He is authoring it.”
When Jacob blesses Ephraim over Manasseh, he is reading from a divine script. As Hebrews 11:21 says:
“By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph.”
Faith here means Jacob trusted what God had shown him—not his preferences, not cultural tradition, not Joseph’s protest. He aligned himself with heaven’s decree. The patriarchs were not merely giving dying speeches; they were delivering prophetic declarations, inspired by the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:10-11).
God, who declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), is writing the lineage, the order, and the destiny. These blessings are not guesses or well-wishes; they are acts of divine authorship.
Conclusion: The Blessing That Shaped a Nation
Ephraim and Manasseh represent more than just Joseph’s legacy—they embody God’s sovereign choice and prophetic order. The younger is elevated over the elder, and the stage is set for Ephraim’s prominence in Israel’s history. Most importantly, we witness that God is the author of the end. The patriarchs spoke not from emotion but from revelation. Their words—recorded in Scripture—carry the weight of eternity.
For more chapter summaries and insights, visit our Genesis Chapter-by-Chapter Review and explore how each part of Genesis points to Christ.