Topical Bible: Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Two Sons

◄ Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Two Sons ►

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Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel, holds a significant place in biblical history, not only for his own life and achievements but also for his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. These sons were born to Joseph and his Egyptian wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52). Their births occurred during Joseph's time of prosperity in Egypt, where he served as second-in-command under Pharaoh.

Manasseh

Manasseh, the elder of Joseph's sons, was named to reflect Joseph's journey and God's providence in his life. Joseph declared, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household" (Genesis 41:51). The name Manasseh is derived from the Hebrew verb "nashah," meaning "to forget," symbolizing Joseph's release from the pain of his past and his new beginning in Egypt.

Manasseh's descendants would later form one of the tribes of Israel, inheriting land on both sides of the Jordan River. The tribe of Manasseh played a crucial role in the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. Despite being the firstborn, Manasseh did not receive the primary blessing from Jacob, which was instead given to his younger brother, Ephraim.

Ephraim

Ephraim, the younger son, was named to signify Joseph's fruitfulness in the land of his affliction. Joseph stated, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction" (Genesis 41:52). The name Ephraim is related to the Hebrew word "parah," meaning "to be fruitful," highlighting the blessings and prosperity Joseph experienced in Egypt.

In a significant event recorded in Genesis 48, Jacob, nearing the end of his life, blessed Joseph's sons. Contrary to the traditional practice of bestowing the greater blessing on the firstborn, Jacob crossed his arms and placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, thus giving him the preeminent blessing. Joseph attempted to correct his father, but Jacob insisted, saying, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19).

Ephraim's descendants became a dominant tribe in the northern kingdom of Israel, often representing the entire northern kingdom in biblical texts. The tribe's prominence is evident in the prophetic literature, where Ephraim is frequently mentioned as a symbol of the northern tribes.

Significance in Israel's History

The adoption of Manasseh and Ephraim by Jacob as his own sons (Genesis 48:5) effectively elevated them to the status of tribal patriarchs alongside Jacob's other sons. This act ensured that Joseph received a double portion of inheritance, a privilege typically reserved for the firstborn. The tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim thus became integral parts of the twelve tribes of Israel, with their territories playing significant roles in the history and development of the nation.

The account of Joseph's sons is a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Through Manasseh and Ephraim, the legacy of Joseph continued, impacting the course of Israel's history and fulfilling the divine plan set forth for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

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Genesis 41:50,52
And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bore to him.
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About this Same Time, Judah, the Son of Jacob...
... About this same time, Judah, the son of Jacob, took in ... Then Joseph, while corn was
abundant throughout all Egypt, gathered together an immense quantity, and ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xi about this same.htm

Of the Sons of Joseph, whom Jacob Blessed, Prophetically Changing ...
... 977] ), so the same thing happened in Joseph's two sons; for the ... For when Jacob was
blessing them, and laid his right ... hands, but said, "I know, my son, I know. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 42 of the sons of.htm

Joseph --The Savior of his People.
... "It is enough: Joseph my son is yet ... At Beersheba Jacob stopped and worshiped God,
where his father had built an altar years before; and God told him in the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii josephthe savior of.htm

The Removal of Joseph's Father with all his Family, to Him, on ...
... Rachel had two sons, the one of whom, Joseph, had two sons also, Manasses and ... And
this was the legitimate posterity of Jacob. ... Dan had an only begotten son, Usi ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 the removal of.htm

How Joseph, the Youngest of Jacob's Sons, was Envied by his ...
... BOOK II. Containing The Interval Of Two Hundred And Twenty Years. ... The occasion was
this:"When Jacob had his son Joseph born to him by Rachel, his father ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how joseph the.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph
is not ... And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... Joseph is gone, and Simeon is gone, and now you would take Benjamin ... in case I do
not bring Benjamin back to you." But Jacob said: "My youngest son shall not ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of joseph and.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... Anon it was told to the father: Lo thy son Joseph cometh to thee, which then was
comforted, and sat up in his ... And Joseph entered in, and Jacob said: Almighty ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

How it is Said that Jacob Went into Egypt with Seventy-Five Souls ...
... In this number only two women are mentioned, one a daughter, the other a grand-daughter. ...
For Jacob was then 130 years old, and his son Joseph thirty-nine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 40 how it is said.htm

Of the Times of Jacob and his Son Joseph.
... In the second of the seven years of famine Jacob came down into Egypt to his son
with all ... Joseph was then thirty-nine, if we add seven years of plenty and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 4 of the times of.htm