Genesis 48:2
New International Version
When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed.

New Living Translation
When Joseph arrived, Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to see you.” So Jacob gathered his strength and sat up in his bed.

English Standard Version
And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

Berean Standard Bible
When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up in bed.

King James Bible
And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

New King James Version
And Jacob was told, “Look, your son Joseph is coming to you”; and Israel strengthened himself and sat up on the bed.

New American Standard Bible
When it was told to Jacob, “Behold, your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed.

NASB 1995
When it was told to Jacob, “Behold, your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed.

NASB 1977
When it was told to Jacob, “Behold, your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel collected his strength and sat up in the bed.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then it was told to Jacob, “Behold, your son Joseph has come to you,” so Israel strengthened himself and sat up in the bed.

Amplified Bible
And when Jacob (Israel) was told, “Look now, your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel strengthened himself and sat up on the bed.

Christian Standard Bible
When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

American Standard Version
And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

Contemporary English Version
When Joseph arrived, someone told Jacob, "Your son Joseph has come to see you." Jacob sat up in bed, but it took almost all his strength.

English Revised Version
And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph is here to see you," Israel gathered his strength and sat up in bed.

Good News Translation
When Jacob was told that his son Joseph had come to see him, he gathered his strength and sat up in bed.

International Standard Version
As soon as Jacob was informed, "Look! Your son Joseph has come to visit you," Israel rallied his strength and sat up in bed.

Majority Standard Bible
When Jacob was told, ?Your son Joseph has come to you,? Israel rallied his strength and sat up in bed.

NET Bible
When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has just come to you," Israel regained strength and sat up on his bed.

New Heart English Bible
And someone reported to Jacob, and said, "Look, your son Joseph has come to you." Then Israel strengthened himself and sat up in the bed.

Webster's Bible Translation
And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh to thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

World English Bible
Someone told Jacob, and said, “Behold, your son Joseph comes to you,” and Israel strengthened himself, and sat on the bed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And [one] declares [it] to Jacob and says, “Behold, your son Joseph is coming to you”; and Israel strengthens himself, and sits on the bed.

Young's Literal Translation
And one declareth to Jacob, and saith, 'Lo, thy son Joseph is coming unto thee;' and Israel doth strengthen himself, and sit upon the bed.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be announced to Jacob, and it will be said, Behold, thy son Joseph came to thee: and Israel will be strengthened and will sit upon the rod.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it was told the old man: Behold I thy son Joseph cometh to thee. And being strengthened he sat on his bed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it was told to the old man, “Behold, your son Joseph is coming to you.” And being strengthened, he sat up in bed.

New American Bible
When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up in bed.

New Revised Standard Version
When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” he summoned his strength and sat up in bed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they informed Jacob, and said to him, Behold, your son Joseph has come to you; and Israel strengthened himself, and sat up on the bed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they told Yaquuv, and they said to him, “Behold, your son Yoseph has come to you”, and Israel was encouraged and he sat up on the bed.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And one told Jacob, and said: 'Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee.' And Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it was reported to Jacob, saying, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh to thee; and Israel having strengthened himself, sat upon the bed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
1Some time later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up in bed. 3Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there He blessed me…

Cross References
Genesis 47:31
“Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.

Hebrews 11:21
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Genesis 27:1
When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” Esau replied.

Genesis 35:29
Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis 49:33
When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he pulled his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and he was gathered to his people.

1 Kings 1:47
The king’s servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than your own name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king has bowed in worship on his bed,

Genesis 50:1
Then Joseph fell upon his father’s face, wept over him, and kissed him.

Genesis 24:1
By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

Genesis 25:8
And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 46:4
I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

2 Samuel 19:32-34
Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim. / The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.” / But Barzillai replied, “How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

1 Kings 2:1-2
As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, / “I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man.

2 Kings 20:1
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’”

John 11:1-3
At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. / (Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.) / So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.”

Acts 7:15-16
So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. / Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.


Treasury of Scripture

And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, your son Joseph comes to you: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat on the bed.

strengthened.

Deuteronomy 3:28
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

1 Samuel 23:16
And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

Nehemiah 2:18
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

Jump to Previous
Bed Collected Declareth Getting Israel Jacob Joseph Lifted Rallied Sat Sit Someone Strength Strengthen Strengthened Summoned Together
Jump to Next
Bed Collected Declareth Getting Israel Jacob Joseph Lifted Rallied Sat Sit Someone Strength Strengthen Strengthened Summoned Together
Genesis 48
1. Joseph with his sons visits his sick father.
2. Jacob strengthens himself to bless them.
3. He repeats God's promise.
5. He takes Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons.
7. He tells Joseph of his mother's grave.
8. He blesses Ephraim and Manasseh.
17. He prefers the younger before the elder.
21. He prophesies their return to Canaan.














When Jacob was told
This phrase indicates a moment of communication and transition. Jacob, also known as Israel, is nearing the end of his life. The act of being told suggests the presence of others around him, likely his family or servants, who are attending to his needs. This moment sets the stage for a significant family event, highlighting the importance of communication in passing down blessings and heritage.

“Your son Joseph has come to you,”
Joseph, Jacob's beloved son, holds a special place in his heart, being the firstborn of Rachel, Jacob's favored wife. Joseph's arrival is significant because he is not only a son but also a powerful figure in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. This visit underscores the reconciliation and restoration of the family, as Joseph had been separated from Jacob for many years. The mention of Joseph also foreshadows the blessings Jacob is about to bestow, which have implications for the future tribes of Israel.

Israel rallied his strength
The use of "Israel" instead of "Jacob" here is significant, as it reflects Jacob's God-given name, which denotes his role as the patriarch of the Israelite nation. Rallying his strength suggests a moment of divine empowerment or determination, as Jacob prepares to perform an important spiritual and familial duty. This act of gathering strength can be seen as a type of Christ, who, despite physical weakness, fulfills His mission with divine purpose.

and sat up in bed.
Sitting up in bed indicates a posture of readiness and authority. Despite his frailty, Jacob assumes a position that allows him to speak and act with intention. This physical movement symbolizes his readiness to impart blessings and prophetic words to his descendants. It reflects the cultural importance of the patriarchal blessing, a practice deeply rooted in the traditions of the ancient Near East, where the spoken word carried significant weight and authority.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob/Israel
The patriarch of the Israelites, Jacob is also known as Israel. In this passage, he is nearing the end of his life and is preparing to bless his descendants.

2. Joseph
Jacob's beloved son, who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to become a powerful leader in Egypt. He visits his father Jacob in this passage.

3. Egypt
The land where Joseph has risen to power and where Jacob and his family have settled during a time of famine.

4. Blessing of the Sons
This event is part of the larger account where Jacob blesses Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which has significant implications for the tribes of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Legacy
Jacob's act of sitting up to bless his sons underscores the importance of passing on a spiritual legacy. As believers, we are called to invest in the next generation, imparting wisdom and faith.

Strength in Weakness
Despite his frailty, Jacob rallies his strength to fulfill his duty. This teaches us that God can use us in our weakness to accomplish His purposes.

Faith in God's Promises
Jacob's actions are rooted in his faith in God's promises to his forefathers. We are encouraged to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain.

The Role of Family
The family unit is central to God's plan, as seen in Jacob's blessing of his grandsons. We should prioritize family relationships and seek to nurture them in faith.(2) Strengthened himself.--Jacob thus prepared himself, not merely because he wished to receive Joseph in a maimer suitable to his rank, but chiefly because he was about himself to perform a sacred act, under the influence of the Divine Spirit.

Sat upon the bed.--We learn that he left his bed, and placed himself upon it in a sitting posture, from what is recorded in Genesis 48:12.

Verse 2. - And one told Jacob (וַיַּגֵּד, also used impersonally, like וַלֺיּאמֶר in ver. 1), and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel - the significance of this change of name it is impossible to overlook (cf. Genesis 45:27, 28) - strengthened himself (for the work which, as head of the theocratic family, he now felt himself inwardly moved to perform), and sat upon the bed - i.e. he raised himself up to a sitting posture.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When Jacob
לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב (lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

was told,
וַיַּגֵּ֣ד (way·yag·gêḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

“Your son
בִּנְךָ֥ (bin·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Joseph
יוֹסֵ֖ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

has come
בָּ֣א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to you,”
אֵלֶ֑יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

rallied his strength
וַיִּתְחַזֵּק֙ (way·yiṯ·ḥaz·zêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

and sat up
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

bed.
הַמִּטָּֽה׃ (ham·miṭ·ṭāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4296: A bed, for, sleeping, eating, a sofa, litter, bier


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OT Law: Genesis 48:2 Someone told Jacob and said Behold your (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 48:1
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