Although the question could have arisen due to Jacobs failing eyesight, it seems to be part of a formal blessing ritual. Judah he-Hasid or R. Moshe Zaltman: Who Proposed that Torah Verses Were Written After the Time of Moses?, Journal of Jewish Studies 66:1 (2015): 97115. Launched Shavuot 5773 / 2013 | Copyright Project TABS, All Rights Reserved, script type="text/javascript"> Crossing his arms, he put his left hand on the head of Manasseh, the firstborn. [14] For a somewhat different way of explaining R. Judahs interpretation, see Viezel, R. The Ephraim shall be greater than Manasseh! Then he blessed them: The Angel who delivered me from every evil. 3 Jacob said to Joseph, God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me 4 and said to me, I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. Are we, the Church,also referred to as spiritual Israel? YES! 3. Since Manasseh was Josephs first born, Jacob should have placed His right hand on his head. These two boys, who were born to hm during his time of his rejection in Egypt, have some amazing things to tell us about the Church today as well as the 21st century. Your email address will not be published. The Holy Land is the most hospitable Jewish environment, where the Talmud reports that even the air makes you wise. In one sense, being Jewish in Israel is easy. and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. At first, Jacob states that Ephraim and Manasseh will be to him like his own sons (Genesis 48:5). He blessed these twoboys and adopted them as his own sons. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh - After this, Joseph was told, "Behold, your father is ill." So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 7 As I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan while we were still on the way, a little distance from Ephrath. This is because Jacob adopted the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, in order that they might have the double inheritance due to the birthright son. The Curious Story Of Jacobs Blessing OverGad. New Israeli Government Same old Anti-Israel Hyperbole from the world. Some time later Joseph was told, "Your father is ill.". Then Israel bowed down at the head of his bed. 62 views, 2 likes, 1 loves, 1 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School: St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School was live. Joseph named his second-born son "Ephraim" because "God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering" (Genesis 41:52). There is further significance to Jacobs blessings. When Joseph tried to correct his father, the old man said, "I know, my son, I know." There was no human reason that Jacob blessed Ephraim above his older brother. Joseph was not happy with his father and tried to redirect his hands. He begins delivering his blessing upon his sons, starting with Josephs line. Ignacio de la Llave 213 2 piso, Col. Centro, Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. 1 Why did Jacob favor Ephraim over Manasseh? He was asking for thefirst-born blessing. English. The reason is their wealth. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. As National Day of Prayer approaches, Pope suggests we spend time with Jesus every evening to reflect on the day. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Its kind of a long story. And he blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; Jacob wished to emphasize the point that with these siblings, there is no rivalry. I dont think the boys were toddlers. Though recorded long after Jacob lived, he would certainly have been familiar with this custom. Biblical Studies Press, 2006. (15-16) The blessing of Jacob upon Manasseh and Ephraim. 'By thee shall Israel bless, saying: God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh.' And he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Being the firstborn, Manasseh would normally have received the bigger blessing, but Jacob switched things up on purpose. 29 When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. I will make you into a group of nations, and I will give this land to your descendants as an everlasting possession.. Israel (Jacob) was 147 years old when he called to his favorite son Joseph and pleaded that he not be buried in Egypt. Burleson, TX 76028. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 96400. This meant he was saying Ephraim would be greater than Manasseh. Judah he-Hasid or R. Moshe Zaltman, 106-109. also David Weiss Halivni, Peshat and Derash: Plain and Applied Meaning in Rabbinic Exegesis, New York 1991, pp. Jacob told Joseph, If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. The act of putting a hand under anothers thigh was a symbolic act used to commit oneself to carry out a promise. What money is available for senior citizens? B 47:7 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh. He writes and lectures on the J, E, P and D documents, the uniqueness of each, and how they were compiled to create the five-book Torah. The latter half-tribe was also referred to as "Machir," after the son of Manasseh whose descendants comprised that half-tribe. Why does Jacob bless his grandsons first? Then Joseph brought them closer to his father. CP. Charles B. Chavel; New York: Ktav, 1971), pp. and the names of Abraham and Isaac, my fathers, 1718 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraims head, he thought he had made a mistake, so he took hold of his fathers hand to move it from Ephraims head to Manassehs, saying, Thats the wrong head, Father; the other one is the firstborn; place your right hand on his head.. 11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed. Throughout the ages, Jewish parents have prayed that their children withstand the temptations of exile, and keep a strong, proud Jewish identity. Joseph, Jacob's eleventh son, was sold into slavery and, through the providence of God, ended up as the vizier of Egypt. Joseph put Ephraim on his right, directly across from Jacobs left hand, and put Manasseh on his left side across from Jacobs right hand. 31 Swear to me, he said. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But their shyness was soon dispelled. 3 Then Jacob said to Joseph . That will leave half a tribe. In blessing Joseph's sons, Jacob also blessed Joseph, for the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh became strong leaders in Israel. Jacob said, [Manasseh] too will become a people, and he too will become great. Oops! 2 And Jacob was told, "Look, your son Joseph is coming to you"; and Israel [ a]strengthened himself and sat up on the bed. ). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. What was the covenant between God and Jacob? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We have learned how they valued an old man's blessing. . Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. Here we see Jacob invite Josephs foreign-born sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, into the family, an adoption of sorts and the means to award Joseph with two shares of the inheritance for saving the family. 2 Jacob was told, "Look, your son Joseph is coming to you," so Israel gathered his strength and sat up on the bed. What was the outcome with Ephraim and Menashe? It took . You know how shy little toddlers are. Why did Jacob put his hand on Ephraims head? Why would Jacob mention the death and burial of Rachel during the blessing? What percentage of recruits fail boot camp? 48:21 And Israel said unto Joseph: 'Behold, I die; but God will be with you, . You can see it so clearly in the story of the blessings over these two boys, Ephraim and Manasseh. 12 So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. 48:11 Israel said to Joseph, I never expected to see you again, but now God has allowed me to see your children too.. Ephraim And Manasseh Adopted As Sons.Then Jacob says something very strange: And nowyour two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt,are mine;AS REUBEN AND SIMEON, they shall be mine.. The right hand would traditionally be placed on the head of the firstborn who receives special consideration and additional benefits in the blessing ritual. If you like, you can read all about their indiscretions in Genesis 34 & 35. The verse has long puzzled translators. 1. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 273-281 [Hebrew]; Uriel Simon, Two Grab Hold of R. Abraham ibn Ezras Secret of the Twelve,Megadim 51 (Iyar 5770), pp. 14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraims head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manassehs head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. This was the main purpose that God had for Josephs life. He too will become a great nation and he too will become great. Crossing his hands, he put his left hand on Manassehs head, for Manasseh was the firstborn. 22 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. So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him. All Rights Reserved. Genesis 48:6, Your two sonsare mine. 6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. Jacob said to Joseph, God has blessed me. [1954-56], 3:250 . Obviously, it won't take long before Manasseh on the east will be absorbed by other nations. 18 And Joseph said to his father, Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head., 19 But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. Sign up for the Bible Blender newsletter and periodically receive the latest Christian news, Bible study articles, modern-day life lessons, new product announcements, and more. 2930 When the time came for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said, Do me this favor. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. 15 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 unto this day, 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. When Jacob gave his blessing to his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, he chose to bless the younger Ephraim first, despite Joseph's protests. Reuben and Simeon were disqualified because of sins they committed (see 1 Chr 5:1-2 ). Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch (19th century Germany) offers another explanation of why Jewish boys throughout the ages have received the blessing of Ephraim and Menashe: The first generations of Jews Abraham, Isaac and Jacob raised their children primarily in the Land of Israel. Then Joseph moved them closer to his father. And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth., 17 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 fathers hand to remove it from Ephraims head to Manassehs head. Joseph was one of Jacobs 12 sons. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israels left hand,and Manasseh with his left handtoward Israels right hand,and brought them near him. He too will become a nation and he too will become great. Jacob wished to emphasize the point that with these siblings, there is no rivalry. This follows a familiar theme where blessings are not necessarily given based on birthright but on the rightful recipient according to Gods plan. But human beings have a concept of grandchildren, of perpetuation beyond a single generation. As for me, Im presenting you, as the first among your brothers, the ridge of land I took from Amorites with my sword and bow.. THE EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH BLESSING. Gods plan for Israel did not always follow the customs of birthright whether by deception or design. As Joseph guided his two sons toward Jacob, he made sure Manasseh was on Jacob's right side and Ephraim, the younger of the two sons, was on Jacob's left (Genesis 48:13). Why Does the Bible Prohibit Marrying a Fathers Wife? Remember when reading the first few verses of Genesis 48 where, mid-stream, the Holy Spirit suddenly calls Jacob by his glorified name, Israel? Why? This blessing is extremely significant for many reasons, however, I am only going to discuss one of those reasons. The Blessings Of Jacob Over Ephraim And Manasseh. Print. For more on R. Feinsteins claim, and the harsh response he received from R. Menashe Klein in return, see Zev Farber, The Song of the Well, Psalm 136, Was Removed from the Torah TheTorah (2016). It could be translated as mountain slope, shoulder, or portion. 6 Why did Jacob put his hand on Ephraims head? 20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Be very careful what you declare and bless and speak over and to others. According to the Bible, when Joseph brought his two sons to his father, Jacob, for a blessing, Ephraim received the birthright blessing in place of Manasseh (Gen. Why did Jacob bless Joseph's son Ephraim first? FAQ Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Jacob also blessed the two sons of Joseph with the blessings of their father, which they inherited, and he placed Ephraim, the younger, before Manasseh, the elder, and by inspiration of the Lord conferred upon Ephraim the birthright in Israel" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Which is why we bless our sons to be like them, expressing our hope for proud Jewish children and grandchildren. Genesis 48:5, Ephraim and Manasseh. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
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