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

12Joseph moved the boys, who were at their grandfather’s knees, and he bowed with his face to the ground. 13Then he positioned the boys in front of Jacob. With his right hand he directed Ephraim toward Jacob’s left hand, and with his left hand he put Manasseh at Jacob’s right hand. But Jacob crossed his arms as he reached out to lay his hands on the boys’ heads. He put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, though he was the younger boy, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, though he was the firstborn. 15Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, walked— the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day, 16the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may he bless these boys. May they preserve my name and the names of Abraham and Isaac. And may their descendants multiply greatly throughout 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 15:6“Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.
• Psalms 110:1The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”
• Psalms 118:16The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
• Numbers 8:10When you present the Levites before the Lord, the people of Israel must lay their hands on them.
• Deuteronomy 34:9Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
• Matthew 19:13One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
• Matthew 6:5“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
• Matthew 16:18Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
• Luke 4:40As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one.
• Luke 13:13Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!
• Acts 6:6These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
• Acts 8:17Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 13:3So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
• 1 Timothy 4:14Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.
• 1 Timothy 5:22Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
• Genesis 48:19But his father refused. “I know, my son; I know,” he replied. “Manasseh will also become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. And his descendants will become a multitude of 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