Bible Commentaries
Genesis 48

Verse 1

after these things. The blessing of Joseph's sons took place after Jacob's charge concerning his burial.

Verse 2

Jacob . . . Israel. See note on use of these names, Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:8 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 . sat upon the bed. This is neither leaning on it nor worshipping. Compare Genesis 48:12 .

Verse 3

GOD ALMIGHTY. Hebrew. 'El Shaddai. See App-4 .

Luz. Compare Genesis 28:13 , Genesis 28:19 ; Genesis 35:6 .

Verse 4

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton, to emphasise the four parts of the blessing.

Verse 5

are. Hebrew they [are] mine. The united preference of Joseph's two sons.

Verse 7

Rachel died. Compare Genesis 35:19 .

Verse 9

God. Hebrew. Elohim. with art. = God Himself.

Verse 12

he bowed himself, i.e. Jacob worshipped; and, as we know from the Divine addition in Hebrews 11:21 , he leaned on his staff = sitting on the (Egyptian) bed (Genesis 48:2 ).

Verse 14

guiding his hands wittingly (i.e. knowingly), Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. Hebrew "making his hands to understand".

Verse 15

walk = walk habitually (Hebrew. Hithpael) .

Verse 16

Note the three titles in verses: Genesis 48:15 , Genesis 48:16 .

The Angel = the creature form of the second person as the messenger of Jehovah (Elohim as consecrated by oath). This form not assumed for the occasion, but for permanent communion with His creatures (Genesis 3:8 ; Genesis 15:1 ; Genesis 17:1 ; Genesis 18:1 , Genesis 18:2 ; Genesis 28:13 ; Genesis 32:24 , Genesis 32:30 . Exodus 23:20 , Exodus 23:21 .Numbers 22:21 .Joshua 5:13-15 .Proverbs 8:22-31 .Malachi 3:1; 1 Chronicles 1:151 Chronicles 1:15 .Revelation 3:14; Revelation 3:14 ).

redeemed. Hebrew. g'aal = to redeem (by payment of charge).

See note on Exodus 6:6 .

grow = swarm as fishes. earth, or the land.

Verse 17

displeased. Hebrew was evil in his eyes.

Verse 18

Not so, &c. This was Joseph's "will", which Jacob's faith overcame.

Verse 19

refused. This is Jacob's faith overcoming "the will of man" (Hebrews 11:20 , as Isaac's faith overcame "the will of the flesh", Genesis 27:0 . Hebrews 11:20 .

greater. Fulfilled. Compare Numbers 1:32-35 ; Numbers 2:18-20 . Deuteronomy 33:17 .

multitude = assembly, or convocation. Hebrew. kohal, to call, or muster.

Verse 22

portion. Hebrew. Shechem, Greek. Sychar, see John 4:5 . Both Abraham and Jacob bought property at Shechem. Genesis 23:18 , Genesis 23:19 ; Genesis 33:18 , Genesis 33:19 ; and here supplemental history tells how Jacob recovered it out of the hand of the Amorite who must have seized it. Figure of speech Hysteresis. App-6 .

above: i.e. the double portion of the firstborn, which Reuben forfeited. Compare Deuteronomy 21:17 . Compare 1 Chronicles 5:2 .Ezekiel 47:13 .