Then he blessed Joseph and said: "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, Then he blessed JosephThe act of blessing in the Hebrew tradition is deeply significant, often involving the transmission of divine favor and covenantal promises. The Hebrew word for "blessed" is "בָּרַךְ" (barak), which implies not only a verbal pronouncement but also an invocation of God's presence and favor. In this context, Jacob, as the patriarch, is passing on the Abrahamic blessing to Joseph, signifying the continuation of God's promises through his lineage. and said
The phrase "and said" introduces the formal pronouncement of the blessing. In Hebrew, "וַיֹּאמֶר" (vayomer) is used, indicating a solemn declaration. This is not merely a casual conversation but a prophetic utterance that carries weight and authority, reflecting the divine inspiration behind Jacob's words. May the God
The invocation of "the God" here is significant. The Hebrew term "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim) is used, which is a plural form often used to denote the majesty and power of the one true God. This reflects Jacob's acknowledgment of God's supreme authority and his role as the covenant-keeping deity. before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked
This phrase emphasizes the continuity of faith and the covenantal relationship that God established with Abraham and Isaac. The Hebrew word for "walked" is "הָלַךְ" (halak), which implies a lifestyle of faithfulness and obedience. Jacob is acknowledging that his life and the lives of his forefathers were guided by a consistent and faithful relationship with God. the God who has been my shepherd
The imagery of God as a shepherd is rich with meaning. The Hebrew word "רֹעֶה" (ro'eh) conveys the idea of guidance, provision, and protection. Jacob is recognizing God's personal care and leadership throughout his life, akin to a shepherd's care for his sheep. This metaphor is a powerful testament to God's intimate involvement in the lives of His people. all my life to this day
This phrase underscores the lifelong faithfulness of God. The Hebrew "כָּל־חַיָּי עַד־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה" (kol-chayai ad-hayom hazeh) reflects a retrospective acknowledgment of God's unwavering presence and guidance. Jacob is testifying to God's consistent provision and protection from his youth to his old age, reinforcing the theme of divine faithfulness and covenantal loyalty. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jacob (Israel)The patriarch who is blessing his son Joseph and his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob is reflecting on his life and the faithfulness of God. 2. JosephJacob's beloved son, who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to become a powerful leader in Egypt. Joseph is present as his father blesses his sons. 3. Abraham and IsaacJacob's forefathers, who also walked with God. Their faith and covenant relationship with God are foundational to Jacob's blessing. 4. Ephraim and ManassehJoseph's sons, who are being blessed by Jacob. This blessing is significant as it places them among the tribes of Israel. 5. God as ShepherdJacob refers to God as his shepherd, a metaphor that signifies guidance, provision, and protection throughout his life. Teaching Points Faithfulness Across GenerationsJacob's blessing highlights the continuity of faith from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. We are encouraged to pass on our faith to future generations. God as Our ShepherdJust as Jacob recognized God as his shepherd, we are called to trust in God's guidance and provision in our own lives. Reflecting on God's FaithfulnessJacob's reflection on his life encourages us to look back and recognize God's hand in our own journeys. Blessing OthersJacob's act of blessing Joseph and his sons reminds us of the importance of speaking blessings and encouragement into the lives of others. Legacy of FaithThe blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh signifies the importance of leaving a spiritual legacy that honors God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's reference to God as his shepherd influence your understanding of God's role in your life? 2. In what ways can you pass on your faith to the next generation, as Jacob did with his blessing? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's guidance and provision. How can this strengthen your faith today? 4. How does the concept of God as a shepherd in Genesis 48:15 connect with Jesus' teaching in John 10? 5. What practical steps can you take to bless and encourage others in your community or family? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 23The imagery of God as a shepherd is echoed in this well-known psalm, which speaks of God's guidance and provision. Hebrews 11This chapter highlights the faith of the patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing their trust in God's promises. John 10Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, connecting the Old Testament imagery of God as a shepherd to His own ministry. People Amorites, Ephrath, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Manasseh, Rachel, Reuben, SimeonPlaces Bethlehem, Canaan, Ephrath, Luz, Paddan, RamesesTopics Blessed, Blesseth, Blessing, Care, Fathers, Fed, Feeding, Habitually, Isaac, Joseph, Led, Saying, Shepherd, Shepherded, Till, Walk, Walked, WorshipDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 48:15 1205 God, titles of
1220 God, as shepherd
4020 life, of faith
7786 shepherd, king and leader
8136 knowing God, effects
8491 watchfulness, divine Genesis 48:1-20 1651 numbers, 1-2
7266 tribes of Israel Genesis 48:8-20 5661 brothers Genesis 48:9-22 8638 benedictions Genesis 48:14-20 7372 hands, laying on Genesis 48:15-16 5043 names, significance
5511 safety Genesis 48:15-20 5095 Jacob, life Library Two Retrospects of one Life
'And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been.'--GENESIS xlvii. 9. 'The God which fed me all my life long unto this day; the Angel which redeemed me from all evil.' --GENESIS xlviii. 15,16. These are two strangely different estimates of the same life to be taken by the same man. In the latter Jacob categorically contradicts everything that he had said in the former. 'Few and evil,' he said before Pharaoh. 'All my life long,' 'the Angel which redeemed me from …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Calm Evening, Promising a Bright Morning
'And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father. And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Wonderful.
Isaiah ix:6. HIS name shall be called "Wonderful" (Isaiah ix:6). And long before Isaiah had uttered this divine prediction the angel of the Lord had announced his name to be Wonderful. As such He appeared to Manoah. And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor. And the angel of Jehovah said unto Him "why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is Wonderful" (margin, Judges xiii:17-18). This angel of Jehovah, the Person who …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory Blessing Children. Concerning Childlikeness.
(in Peræa.) ^A Matt. XIX. 13-15; ^B Mark X. 13-16; ^C Luke XVIII. 15-17. ^a 13 Then were there brought ^b 13 And they were bringing ^a unto him little children, { ^c also their babes,} that he should touch them: ^a that he should lay his hands on them, and pray [According to Buxtorf, children were often brought to the presidents of the synagogue in order that they might pray over them. The prayers of a good man in our behalf have always been regarded as a blessing; no wonder, then, that the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 48:15 NIVGenesis 48:15 NLTGenesis 48:15 ESVGenesis 48:15 NASBGenesis 48:15 KJV
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