Genesis 48:11 kjv

And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath showed me also thy seed.

Genesis 48:11 nkjv

And Israel said to Joseph, "I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!"

Genesis 48:11 niv

Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too."

Genesis 48:11 esv

And Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also."

Genesis 48:11 nlt

Then Jacob said to Joseph, "I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!"

Genesis 48 verses

Genesis 48 11 Meaning

This verse captures Israel’s (Jacob’s) profound astonishment and gratitude, as he conveys to Joseph that not only was the joy of reuniting with Joseph unexpected and a miraculous gift, but God had also graciously allowed him to see Joseph's children. It signifies the Lord's abundant faithfulness beyond human expectation and the continuation of the covenant lineage through Joseph's progeny, reversing Jacob’s past grief and perceived loss.

Genesis 48 11 Context

Genesis chapter 48 recounts one of Jacob’s final, significant acts before his death: the blessing of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph has brought his two sons to his elderly, weakening father, Israel. Earlier, Jacob (now named Israel) had believed Joseph was dead for many years after his other sons showed him Joseph’s blood-stained coat (Gen 37:31-35). This deep grief turned to immense joy when he learned Joseph was alive and serving as second-in-command in Egypt (Gen 45:26-28). He traveled to Egypt, declaring his readiness to die after seeing Joseph's face (Gen 46:30). Verse 11 reveals Jacob's profound sense of God’s extraordinary provision, extending far beyond merely reuniting with his beloved son. The act of blessing Joseph’s sons is a critical moment in the patriarchal narrative, setting the tribal lineage for the nation of Israel and illustrating God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises of multiplying Abraham's descendants. Culturally, seeing one's grandchildren was a great blessing and signified continuity of the family line and inheritance.

Genesis 48 11 Word analysis

• And Israel said: The use of "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael) rather than "Jacob" is significant. It emphasizes his transformed spiritual identity and covenant standing, the one who wrestled with God and prevailed (Gen 32:28). This statement comes from the patriarch of the future nation, bearing God’s conferred name, underscoring the divine nature of the blessing he is about to impart and the providence he acknowledges.
• to Joseph: Joseph, the once-lost and deeply mourned son, now stands before his father as the preserver of the family, highlighting divine reversal and restoration.
• “I had not thought to see your face;”: This phrase, lo’ phillelti lir’ot paneyka (לא פללתי לראות פניך), conveys deep surprise and the former hopelessness of Jacob. The Hebrew verb palal can mean "to mediate" or "to interpose," but here in the negative it means "to expect" or "to suppose," often implying a presumption. Jacob here admits he presumed the worst, underscoring the miraculous nature of Joseph's return and his presence. His expectation had been of despair and separation, a profound emotional state reflecting years of grief.
• but in fact: This indicates a strong contrast and a divine intervention that overrides human expectation or despair. It introduces the reality of God's greater plan and the active hand of the Almighty.
• God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This common Hebrew term for God emphasizes His divine power, majesty, and creative activity. It points to God as the sovereign actor, the one who brings about this unexpected blessing. It underscores that this extraordinary situation is not mere chance but divine orchestration. Elohim also highlights the universality of God’s power at play in the affairs of mankind.
• has shown me: The Hebrew verb ra'ah (ראה) means "to see" or "to look." When used with God as the subject and a person as the object, it signifies divine revelation, the granting of sight, or enabling one to witness something. God actively facilitated this seeing, allowing Jacob to witness the continuation of Joseph's lineage, fulfilling broader covenant promises.
• your offspring also (גַּם זַרְעֶךָ, gam zar'echa): "Offspring" (זֶרַע, zera) carries profound covenantal significance. It means "seed" or "descendant." The term zera is crucial in the Abrahamic covenant, where God repeatedly promised Abraham numerous descendants (Gen 12:7; 13:16; 15:5; 17:7). Jacob’s seeing Joseph's sons, and thus a tangible continuation of his own line through the very son he thought lost, powerfully demonstrates God's faithfulness to that promise and his abundant grace beyond expectation. The addition of "also" intensifies the unexpected gift, moving beyond the personal joy of reunion to the greater, future-oriented blessing of continuing generations, crucial for the formation of a nation.

Genesis 48 11 Bonus section

• Reversal of Fate and Divine Irony: The long years of Jacob's mourning over Joseph, whom he believed was dead and eaten by wild beasts, stand in stark contrast to this moment of profound joy. God not only preserved Joseph but elevated him to save the very family who had betrayed him, demonstrating a complete reversal of human intention and outcome through divine oversight.
• Prophetic Echo: This scene, where the patriarch Israel blesses his offspring, foreshadows future blessings upon the tribes of Israel. It serves as a foundational moment for understanding the distribution and significance of the future tribes that will constitute the nation.
• Theological Parallel of Sight: Jacob’s statement "God has shown me" transcends mere physical vision, highlighting a divine granting of perception and understanding. It implicitly connects with the concept that God opens spiritual eyes to see His wonders and His hand in one's life.
• Generational Blessing: The focus on "offspring" reminds us of the multi-generational nature of God's covenant promises. The blessing extended beyond Joseph to his children and, by extension, to the future nation of Israel. This signifies that God’s faithfulness spans across generations.
• The Abrahamic Covenant: This verse is a tangible fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding numerous descendants (Gen 12, 13, 15, 17), solidifying the lineage through which the ultimate "offspring," Christ (Gal 3:16), would come. The joy of seeing progeny confirmed the covenant's vitality even in Jacob's last days, providing assurance of God’s unfolding plan.

Genesis 48 11 Commentary

Genesis 48:11 is a poignant expression of Jacob's (Israel's) faith, wonder, and deep gratitude for God’s abundant grace. His exclamation, "I had not thought to see your face," powerfully articulates years of anguish and the human presumption of what sorrow would entail. However, God's providence defied Jacob's bleakest expectations, not only reuniting him with Joseph but adding the unexpected blessing of seeing Joseph’s children, Manasseh and Ephraim. This verse highlights a recurring theme in the biblical narrative: God’s capacity to exceed human hopes and even redeem past traumas for a greater good. It underlines His unwavering faithfulness to the covenant promise of multiplying Abraham's "seed" (zera). Jacob, the patriarch, acknowledges God as the sole orchestrator of these unforeseen joys. This demonstrates that God’s plans are often far more gracious and far-reaching than humanity can conceive, working beyond tragedy and despair to bring forth life, hope, and the continuation of His redemptive purposes. It stands as a testament to God's restorative power and His overflowing generosity towards those who trust in Him.