Genesis 41:52 kjv

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Genesis 41:52 nkjv

And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."

Genesis 41:52 niv

The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

Genesis 41:52 esv

The name of the second he called Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

Genesis 41:52 nlt

Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief."

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 52 Meaning

Genesis 41:52 recounts Joseph naming his second son Ephraim, declaring, "For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." This statement profoundly encapsulates Joseph's theological perspective: despite his profound suffering and long period of hardship in Egypt, God remained sovereign and faithful, turning his bitterness into remarkable productivity and prosperity. It is an acknowledgment of divine power to transform adverse circumstances into sources of blessing and increase.

Genesis 41 52 Context

Joseph's statement in Genesis 41:52 occurs within the narrative of his meteoric rise to power in Egypt. After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph is elevated to second in command, entrusted with managing the impending famine. During the seven years of plenty that precede the famine, Joseph marries Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On. She bears him two sons. Joseph's naming of his second son Ephraim immediately follows the naming of his first son, Manasseh, whose name signifies "God has made me forget all my toil and my father's house." Both names reflect Joseph's processing of his past suffering and present success, acknowledging God's hand in his experiences. The specific cultural context highlights the significance of names, often embodying a prophecy, a commemoration, or an explanation of a significant event or emotional state at the child's birth. Joseph's life journey from a betrayed brother, slave, and prisoner to a powerful ruler underscores a deep understanding of God's redemptive work through trial.

Genesis 41 52 Word analysis

• And he called the name: Signifies the solemn act of naming, often indicating the significance or prophetic insight of the parent regarding the child's future or circumstances of birth.

• the second, Ephraim: (אֶפְרָיִם, 'Ephrayim) - A Hebrew name derived from the root פָּרָה (parah), meaning "to be fruitful" or "to bear fruit." The name itself is a declaration of abundance and multiplication.

• For God hath caused me to be fruitful: (כִּי־הִפְרַנִי אֱלֹהִים, ki-hiphrani 'Elohim).

  • For: (כִּי, ki) - Introduces the reason or explanation for the name chosen.
  • God: (אֱלֹהִים, 'Elohim) - The generic Hebrew term for God, emphasizing God's role as the mighty Creator and sovereign orchestrator. Joseph directly attributes his fruitfulness not to his own efforts or Egypt's resources, but to the power and will of God.
  • hath caused me to be fruitful: (הִפְרַנִי, hiphrani) - This is the Hiphil stem of the verb פָּרָה (parah), which is causative. It literally means "He has made me fruitful." This grammatical form emphasizes that fruitfulness is an active work done by God to Joseph, not a natural outcome or something he achieved himself. This highlights divine intervention and agency.

• in the land of my affliction: (בְּאֶרֶץ עָנְיִי, bə'ereṣ 'onyi).

  • in the land of: (בְּאֶרֶץ, bə'ereṣ) - Refers to Egypt, the foreign land where Joseph was unjustly sold into slavery, imprisoned, and separated from his family.
  • my affliction: (עָנְיִי, 'onyi) - From the root עָנָה ('anah), meaning "to be bowed down, afflicted, humbled, miserable, oppressed." This term refers to the totality of his suffering: slavery, false accusation, imprisonment, and emotional distress of being cut off from his heritage. The juxtaposition of "fruitful" with "affliction" is key to the verse's meaning.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful": This pairing directly links the name to its meaning, underscoring Joseph's perception of God as the active agent of his blessing. It reveals a deep spiritual understanding that his prosperity is a divine gift, not merely the result of good fortune or human skill.
  • "fruitful in the land of my affliction": This phrase highlights a powerful biblical theme: God's ability to bring forth good, even abundant blessing, out of profound suffering. It is a testament to God's redemptive work, turning sites of distress into places of productivity and fulfillment. It serves as a strong counter-cultural statement to any pagan belief that the gods only bless in favorable circumstances.

Genesis 41 52 Bonus section

The tribe of Ephraim, named after Joseph's second son, later became extremely prominent and powerful within the northern kingdom of Israel, often even symbolizing the entire Northern Kingdom. Their large size and influential position could be seen as a fulfillment of Joseph's prophetic naming, reflecting literal "fruitfulness" in descendants and power. However, later biblical narratives often portray Ephraim as particularly prone to idolatry and apostasy, illustrating that while God's blessing provides fruitfulness, human faithfulness is required for that fruitfulness to remain within God's covenant purposes. Thus, Ephraim's history is a complex reflection of both divine blessing and human responsibility.

Genesis 41 52 Commentary

Genesis 41:52 is a profound theological declaration by Joseph, revealing his deep understanding of God's sovereign hand in his life. Unlike his first son Manasseh, whose name celebrated forgetting the past pain, Ephraim's name celebrates the outcome of that pain. Joseph acknowledges that God did not simply relieve his suffering but actually used the "land of his affliction" – Egypt, where he endured slavery and imprisonment – as the very crucible for his unexpected fruitfulness and exaltation. This "fruitfulness" encompasses not just physical descendants but also his personal prosperity, wisdom, and influential position, all granted by God.

This verse exemplifies the biblical truth that God is capable of redeeming suffering and orchestrating even seemingly negative circumstances for His divine purposes and the good of His people. It teaches reliance on God's active involvement in human life, especially in adverse conditions. Joseph's focus is on what God has done, providing a powerful witness to God's transformative power and unwavering faithfulness, even when circumstances seem to contradict divine promises. It is a statement of faith that transcends immediate circumstances and sees God's hidden purpose.