Genesis 48:14

Genesis 48:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
• New International Version (NIV)But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn).
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

Context of Genesis 48:14

12Then Joseph removed his sons from Jacob's knees. He bent down low, with his face towards the ground. 13He took his two sons near to Jacob. With his right hand, he put Ephraim beside Jacob's left hand. With his left hand, he put Manasseh beside Jacob's right hand. Jacob then put out his right hand. But he put it on Ephraim's head, even though Ephraim was the younger son. Jacob crossed his arms so that he put his left hand on Manasseh's head. Manasseh was Joseph's firstborn son. 15Then Jacob blessed Joseph. He said, ‘May God bless these two boys. He is the God that my ancestors, Abraham and Isaac, served. Like a shepherd takes care of his sheep, God has taken care of me all my life, until this day. 16He is the Angel who has kept me safe. I pray that he will bless these boys. I pray that, because of them, people will remember my name, and the names of my ancestors, Abraham and Isaac. I pray that they will have many descendants who live all over the earth.’

Genesis 48:14 word by word

וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל אֶת־יְמִינ֜וֹ וַיָּ֨שֶׁת עַל־רֹ֤אשׁ אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ וְה֣וּא הַצָּעִ֔יר וְאֶת־שְׂמֹאל֖וֹ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה שִׂכֵּל֙ אֶת־יָדָ֔יו כִּ֥י מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה הַבְּכֽוֹר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• stretched outשָׁלַחshâlach · to send: reachH7971
• his right handיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
• and laidשִׁיתshîyth · to set: putH7896
• upon Ephraim’sאֶפְרַ֫יִם'ephrayim · EphraimH669
• headרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
• the youngerצָעִירtsâ‛îyr tsâ‛ôr · littleH6810
• and his left handשְׂמֹאלώemô'l ώem'ôl · leftH8040
• upon Manasseh’sמְנַשֶּׁהmenashsheh · ManassehH4519
• guidingשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• his handsיָדyâd · handH3027
• the firstbornבְּכוֹרbekôr · firstbornH1060

Cross-references for Genesis 48:14

• Exodus 15:6Your right hand, Lord, was great and powerful. Your right hand, Lord, destroyed the enemy.
• Psalms 110:1The Lord God said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right side until I win against your enemies. Then you will be able to put your feet on them.’
• Psalms 118:16Yes, the Lord has lifted up his strong right hand. He has the strength to win the battle!
• Numbers 8:10You must bring the Levites in front of the Lord. Then the Israelites must put their hands on the Levites' heads.
• Deuteronomy 34:9Moses had already chosen Nun's son, Joshua, to take his place as the leader of the Israelites. So the Lord had filled Joshua with wisdom. The Israelites listened to Joshua. They obeyed the commands that the Lord had given to Moses.
• Matthew 19:13Then some people brought their little children to Jesus. They wanted him to put his hands on each child's head. They wanted him to pray for them. But the disciples told the people that they should not do that.
• Matthew 6:5‘Also, you must not pray in the way that the hypocrites pray. They like to stand and pray in their meeting places. They like to do it on the corners of the busy streets. Then many people will see them and they will praise them. I tell you this. They have already received their gift from people. God will not give them anything more.
• Matthew 16:18I tell you this. You are called Peter, which means a rock. And I will build my church on this rock. Not even the power of death will destroy my church.
• Luke 4:40When the sun was going down, people in the town brought to Jesus all those people who were ill. They had many different kinds of illness. Jesus put his hands on each ill person and they became well again.
• Luke 13:13He put his hands on her and immediately she could stand up straight. She praised God.
• Acts 6:6The group of believers put these seven men in front of the apostles. The apostles prayed for each man and they put their hands on them. They gave them authority to do this special work.
• Acts 8:17So Peter and John put their hands on the head of each believer, and they each received the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 13:3The believers continued to pray and to fast. Then the leaders put their hands on Barnabas and Saul and they prayed for them. They sent them away to start this new work.
• 1 Timothy 4:14Remember the gift that God's Holy Spirit has given to you. You received that gift when the group of church leaders put their hands on you. They spoke messages from God about how you would serve him. So do not stop using that gift from God.
• 1 Timothy 5:22Do not hurry to put your hands on anyone to choose him as a leader of the church. Perhaps that man has done something wrong. Then people might think that you agree with his sins. You yourself must always be careful to do what is right and good.
• Genesis 48:19But Jacob refused to change. He said, ‘I know, my son. I know what I am doing. Manasseh will also have many descendants who become a great nation. But his younger brother, Ephraim, will become even greater. Ephraim's descendants will become many great nations.’

Commentaries on Genesis 48:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14Israel stretched out his right hand, etc. - Laying hands on the head was always used among the Jews in giving blessings, designating men to any office, and in the consecration of solemn sacrifices. This is the first time we find it mentioned; but we often read of it afterwards. See Numbers 27:18, Numbers 27:23; Deuteronomy 34:9; Matthew 19:13, Matthew 19:15; Acts 6:6; 1 Timothy 4:14. Jacob laid his right hand on the head of the younger, which we are told…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-22Verses 1-22 - Joseph Visits His Sick Father The right of primogeniture has been forfeited by Reuben. The double portion in the inheritance is now transferred to Joseph. He is the first-born of her who was intended by Jacob to be his first and only wife. He has also been the means of saving all his father‘s house, even after he had been sold into slavery by his brethren. He has therefore, undeniable claims to this part of the first-born‘s rights. Genesis…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-22Verses 8-22 The two good men own God in their comforts. Joseph says, They are my sons whom God has given me. Jacob says, God hath showed me thy seed. Comforts are doubly sweet to us when we see them coming from God's hand. He not only prevents our fears, but exceeds our hopes. Jacob mentions the care the Divine providence had taken of him all his days. A great deal of hardship he had known in his time, but God kept him from the evil of his troubles. Now…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14The right hand was for the head of the firstborn, and Jacob was deliberately giving that position to the younger son. That pattern was followed for four consecutive generations: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben, and Ephraim over Manasseh. Many years later, Ephraim became the leading tribe in the northern kingdom, superior to the tribe of Manasseh. The entire northern kingdom of Israel was occasionally called Ephraim (see study notes…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-221. one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick--Joseph was hastily sent for, and on this occasion he took with him his two sons.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 48:14

• Adoption
• Ephraim
• Hand
• Manasseh

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Manasseh
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Left hand
• Dreadful
• Jacob
• Antediluvian Patriarchs
• Birthright
• Charm

Commentaries on Genesis 48

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings