Genesis 48:12 kjv
And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
Genesis 48:12 nkjv
So Joseph brought them from beside his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth.
Genesis 48:12 niv
Then Joseph removed them from Israel's knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.
Genesis 48:12 esv
Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
Genesis 48:12 nlt
Joseph moved the boys, who were at their grandfather's knees, and he bowed with his face to the ground.
Genesis 48 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 23:7 | Abraham rose and bowed down to the people... | Abraham's act of reverence. |
| Gen 33:3 | He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times... | Jacob's deep respect for Esau. |
| Gen 37:7 | ...your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf. | Joseph's first dream, prophecy of bowing. |
| Gen 37:9 | ...the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me. | Joseph's second dream, prophecy of bowing. |
| Gen 42:6 | Joseph was governor over the land...and his brothers came and bowed themselves down before him... | Fulfillment of Joseph's dream. |
| Gen 43:28 | They bowed down their heads and paid homage. | Joseph's brothers' reverence to him. |
| Gen 47:31 | Then Israel bowed himself on the head of his bed. | Jacob's worship towards God. |
| Exo 20:12 | Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long... | Commandment to honor parents. |
| Lev 19:32 | You shall rise before the gray-headed and honor the presence of an old man... | Command to respect the aged. |
| Num 22:31 | And he bowed his head and fell on his face. | Balaam's posture of reverence/awe. |
| 1 Sam 24:8 | ...David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. | David showing deference to Saul. |
| 1 Kgs 1:16 | Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king. | Act of respect before royalty. |
| Isa 45:23 | Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance. | Prophecy of universal submission to God. |
| Phil 2:5-8 | Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death... | Christ's supreme act of humility. |
| Rom 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. | Encouragement for mutual honor. |
| Eph 6:1-3 | Children, obey your parents in the Lord... "Honor your father and mother"... | New Testament reiteration of honoring parents. |
| Heb 12:9 | ...we had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them... | Respect for earthly fathers. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | ...Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." | Command to be humble. |
| Jam 4:10 | Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. | Humility as a prerequisite for exaltation. |
| Matt 15:4 | For God commanded, "Honor your father and your mother," and, "Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die." | Jesus upholding the command to honor parents. |
Genesis 48 verses
Genesis 48 12 Meaning
Genesis 48:12 describes Joseph’s actions as he prepares for his sons to receive their patriarchal blessing from Jacob. Joseph gently removed his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, from their close proximity to his elderly father, and then demonstrated profound reverence and humility by prostrating himself before Jacob. This act signifies the solemnity of the occasion and Joseph’s respect for the divine authority vested in his father, the patriarch.
Genesis 48 12 Context
Genesis chapter 48 records Jacob's advanced age and impending death in Egypt. Joseph visits his sick father, bringing his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, with him. Jacob, weak and his eyesight failing, announces his adoption of Joseph's sons, elevating them to the status of his own direct heirs, ensuring they would receive a full tribal inheritance in Canaan, effectively granting Joseph a double portion (a right typically reserved for the firstborn). This solemn ceremony of blessing, laden with covenantal significance for the future of Israel, is about to commence. Joseph's actions in verse 12 are a pivotal step in formalizing this sacred transfer of blessing and authority, demonstrating his submission to Jacob's patriarchal role and God's providential plan.
Genesis 48 12 Word analysis
- Then Joseph: Joseph, though second-in-command of all Egypt, shows deference and submission to his aging father, demonstrating deep familial respect and adherence to patriarchal tradition. His high status does not diminish his humility.
- brought them: Refers to Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph's careful guidance of his sons to their grandfather underscores the importance of the moment and his role as an obedient son.
- from beside his knees: In the ancient world, to sit "on the knees" or be "beside the knees" could symbolize adoption (as in Gen 30:3) or simply a posture of intimacy, dependence, and proximity to the elder or authority figure. Joseph's act of moving them suggests a shift from intimate familiarity to a more formal, respectful distance suitable for receiving a solemn blessing. It prepares them for a formal act, a transition from being cuddled grandsons to designated heirs.
- and he bowed down: The Hebrew word is shāḥâ (שָׁחָה), which signifies prostration or bowing. This term is frequently used for worship towards God, but also for deep reverence, respect, or homage shown to humans of higher status or authority (kings, patriarchs, elders). Here, it’s an act of profound respect and humility toward his father, recognizing Jacob's unique status as the patriarch and bearer of the Abrahamic covenant.
- with his face to the earth: This phrase emphasizes complete prostration, the ultimate physical expression of humility, submission, and veneration in ancient Near Eastern culture. It signals Joseph’s reverence and acceptance of Jacob's spiritual authority and the weighty nature of the blessing Jacob is about to bestow. This contrasts starkly with his own past prophetic dreams where others (including his brothers, implicitly Jacob, and Jacob's wife) would bow to him, highlighting his humble recognition of his father’s unique role as God’s chosen vessel.
Genesis 48 12 Bonus section
This verse highlights the profound spiritual etiquette observed in ancient times regarding significant divine actions. Joseph's gesture of humility, bowing his face to the earth, signifies more than just familial respect; it prepares the spiritual atmosphere for the transfer of a sacred, prophetic blessing that carries immense weight for the future generations of Israel. It illustrates that participation in divine promises often requires a posture of humility and submission to God's chosen vessels. This formal reverence, observed by a powerful leader like Joseph, contrasts sharply with contemporary tendencies to disregard elders or spiritual authority, underscoring the enduring biblical principle of honoring those through whom God operates.
Genesis 48 12 Commentary
Genesis 48:12 serves as a powerful visual of humility and reverence. Despite his immense power and authority as Egypt's prime minister, Joseph does not stand as an equal to his father, Jacob. Instead, he embodies complete deference, not only by ensuring his sons are appropriately positioned for a formal blessing but also by humbling himself completely before the one who represents the covenant lineage. This act transcends mere filial respect; it is an acknowledgement of God's anointing upon Jacob and the spiritual significance of the patriarchal blessing about to be conferred. Joseph's posture sets the tone for the solemn and spiritually weighty event, showcasing that true greatness, even in secular authority, lies in submitting to higher, divinely ordained spiritual order. His reverence here underpins the sacredness of the blessing process and the importance of honoring the conduit of divine favor.