Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, holds a significant place in biblical history as one of the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. His story is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where he is introduced as part of the narrative of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob who rose to prominence in Egypt.

Birth and Family Background

Manasseh was born in Egypt during the years of plenty before the famine, as recorded in Genesis 41:50-51: "Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, 'God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.'" His name, Manasseh, meaning "causing to forget," reflects Joseph's journey from suffering to prosperity and his desire to move beyond the pain of his past.

Adoption by Jacob

The adoption of Manasseh by his grandfather Jacob is a pivotal moment in his life and in the history of Israel. In Genesis 48, Jacob, nearing the end of his life, blesses Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. In a significant act, Jacob claims them as his own, elevating them to the status of his direct sons and thus granting them an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. Genesis 48:5 states, "Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine."

This adoption is not merely a familial gesture but a prophetic act that shapes the future of the Israelite nation. By adopting Manasseh and Ephraim, Jacob effectively grants Joseph a double portion of the inheritance, as each son becomes the head of a tribe. This act underscores the special favor and blessing that Joseph received from his father, despite the earlier animosity from his brothers.

The Blessing and Its Implications

In the blessing ceremony, Jacob intentionally crosses his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim, the younger, and his left on Manasseh, the firstborn. This unexpected action signifies the preeminence of Ephraim over Manasseh, as recorded in Genesis 48:19: "But his father refused and said, '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.'"

This blessing, while favoring Ephraim, does not diminish Manasseh's importance. He remains a significant figure, and his descendants form one of the tribes of Israel, known for their valor and strength. The tribe of Manasseh eventually settles on both sides of the Jordan River, with a portion choosing to inhabit the land east of the Jordan, as detailed in the Book of Joshua.

Legacy and Significance

Manasseh's legacy is multifaceted. As a son of Joseph, he represents the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ensuring the continuation of the covenant through the generations. His adoption by Jacob signifies the inclusion of the next generation into the divine plan for Israel, highlighting the themes of redemption and divine providence.

In the broader biblical narrative, Manasseh's story serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the unexpected ways in which His purposes unfold. The adoption and blessing of Manasseh illustrate the sovereignty of God in choosing and elevating individuals according to His divine will, often contrary to human expectations.

In conclusion, Manasseh's adoption by Jacob is a testament to the enduring legacy of the patriarchs and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the lineage of Israel. His life and the subsequent history of his descendants continue to inspire and instruct believers in understanding the depth of God's promises and the intricate tapestry of His divine narrative.Genesis 48:5
And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
Nave's Topical Index

A Statement of the Reason Why Matthew Enumerates one Succession of ...
... daughter [674] adopted Moses (as she was a foreigner), Jacob himself adopted his
own ... before I came unto thee, are mine: Ephraim and Manasseh shall be ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter iii a statement of the.htm

Chapter xlviii
... Not only are they adopted because of God's promise to ... Now Jacob had naturally destined
Rachel to be his ... of her son's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh receive this ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... future of Ephraim and the future of Manasseh. ... Perhaps it was his father Jacob's dying
blessing ... accepted the Israelitish conquest and adopted the nationality of ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

Chapter xlvi
... counted in with the two Josephite clans: Ephraim and Manasseh. ... the persons of the
house of Jacob that came ... them feel that he, perhaps, had adopted the Egyptian ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Questions.
... 20. What was Jacob's prophecy of the Redeemer?"Gen ... How were the crimes of Manasseh
punished? ... A. Either he was childless, and Salathiel was his adopted son of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Israelites
... was split into two halves, Ephraim and Manasseh, while Judah was ... One of the sons
of Jacob had become the ... and descent, but Semites who had adopted the wandering ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

This Doctrine Confirmed by Proofs from Scripture.
... his favor to Isaac, postponing Manasseh he honors ... honor of primogeniture was thereby
adopted to the ... to declare the spiritual election of Jacob, which otherwise ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 22 this doctrine confirmed.htm

That the Gentiles Should Rather Believe in Christ.
... On this same point in Genesis: "And Isaac blessed Jacob. ... from the head of Ephraim
on to the head of Manasseh. ... as it appears, from the text, adopted the reading ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/21 that the gentiles should.htm

In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ...
... Jesus adopted his Baptism, ere its waters for ever ... a rival temple on Mount Gerizim,
and Manasseh, [1892] the ... time when the Lord, sitting on Jacob's well, first ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in judaea and.htm

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... xii., as well as dying Jacob's denunciations against Simeon ... some of Ephraim, Benjamin,
and Manasseh [602] , had ... and the sufferings of her adopted people, as ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm

Who was Ephraim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How did Isaiah die? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Joseph? | GotQuestions.org

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