Genesis 48:2 kjv

And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

Genesis 48:2 nkjv

And Jacob was told, "Look, your son Joseph is coming to you"; and Israel strengthened himself and sat up on the bed.

Genesis 48:2 niv

When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed.

Genesis 48:2 esv

And it was told to Jacob, "Your son Joseph has come to you." Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

Genesis 48:2 nlt

When Joseph arrived, Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to see you." So Jacob gathered his strength and sat up in his bed.

Genesis 48 verses

Genesis 48 2 Meaning

This verse details the immediate response of Jacob, also known as Israel, upon hearing the news that his son Joseph was coming to visit him during his illness. The message served as a vital summons, prompting the aged and frail patriarch to gather his last reserves of physical strength and mental resolve. By strengthening himself and sitting upright on his bed, Jacob transitioned from a posture of rest or illness to one of readiness and authority, preparing for the weighty matters that Joseph's visit would entail—primarily the blessing of Joseph's sons and the continuation of the divine covenant.

Genesis 48 2 Context

Genesis chapter 48 immediately follows chapter 47, which concludes with Jacob extracting a promise from Joseph regarding his burial in Canaan. Chapter 48 opens with the news that Jacob has become gravely ill, prompting Joseph to visit him, bringing along his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. This visit is pivotal, as it sets the stage for Jacob's adoption of Joseph's sons as his own, placing them as heads of full tribes in Israel. The physical weakness of Jacob (Gen 47:31; 48:1) stands in sharp contrast to the immense spiritual and covenantal authority he is about to exercise. His act of strengthening himself and sitting up is not merely physical; it signifies his intentional preparation to fulfill his patriarchal duty in pronouncing prophetic blessings, ensuring the continuation of the covenant promise to his descendants. This is the last recorded active deed of Jacob before his detailed final blessings in chapter 49, marking a crucial moment for the future of the nation of Israel.

Genesis 48 2 Word analysis

• And Jacob was told (וַיַּגִּ֣ד לְיַעֲקֹ֗ב - vayyaggid l'Ya'aqov):

  • וַיַּגִּ֣ד (vayyaggid): A Hifil (causative) form of the root נגּד (nagad), meaning "to tell, report, announce." Here used in an impersonal or passive sense, indicating that news was brought to Jacob. The message was significant enough to elicit a direct response.
  • לְיַעֲקֹ֗ב (l'Ya'aqov): "to Jacob." The aged patriarch, near death, is the recipient of this important news, triggering his resolute action.

• 'Behold (הִנֵּ֣ה - hinneh):

  • הִנֵּ֣ה (hinneh): An interjection demanding attention. "Look!" "Pay attention!" It introduces a critical or significant statement, signaling an important or imminent event—in this case, Joseph's arrival.

• your son Joseph (בִנְךָֽ יוֹסֵ֔ף - bin'kha Yosef):

  • בִנְךָֽ (bin'kha): "your son." Emphasizes the deep personal bond and Joseph's primary identity to Jacob, despite his status as vizier of Egypt.
  • יוֹסֵ֔ף (Yosef): Joseph, the beloved son, whom Jacob had thought lost. His presence always held great emotional weight for Jacob.

• is coming to you' (בָּ֥א אֵלֶ֑יךָ - ba eleykha):

  • בָּ֥א (ba): Qal imperfect of בוא (bo), "to come." Expresses imminent or immediate arrival.
  • אֵלֶ֑יךָ (eleka): "to you." Directs the arrival specifically to Jacob.

• and he strengthened himself (וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֖ק - vayyit'ḥazzēq):

  • וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֖ק (vayyit'ḥazzēq): Hitpa'el (reflexive-intensive) imperfect of חזק (khazaq), meaning "to be strong, firm, take hold." The Hitpa'el stem here means "to make oneself strong," "to show oneself strong," "to gather one's strength." This signifies a deliberate act of willpower against his physical infirmity. It implies moral and spiritual resolve, not merely a sudden surge of physical ability. This echoes the calls to be "strong and courageous" for leaders in Israel (e.g., Josh 1:6-7).

• Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל - Yisra'el):

  • יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (Yisra'el): The name God gave Jacob after his wrestling match (Gen 32:28), signifying "God strives" or "he strives with God." The use of "Israel" instead of "Jacob" in this specific moment is highly significant. It emphasizes his identity as the covenant patriarch, the founder of the nation, and one about to perform an act of prophetic and theological importance, rather than merely a frail old man.

• and sat up (וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב - vayyēshev):

  • וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב (vayyēshev): Qal imperfect of ישׁב (yashab), "to sit." This indicates a change in posture from lying down to sitting up, signifying a position of readiness, authority, and engagement for a serious conversation or act.

• on the bed (עַל־הַמִּטָּֽה׃ - al-hammittah):

  • עַל־הַמִּטָּֽה׃ (al-hammittah): "on the bed." Though sitting up, he remains confined to his bed due to extreme weakness. This emphasizes the effort involved in his strengthening. It also highlights that even in his physical vulnerability, his spiritual and patriarchal authority was active.

Genesis 48 2 Bonus section

The act of Jacob strengthening himself can be seen as an archetypal act of faith, particularly resonant with the declaration in Hebrews 11:21 that "By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph." His physical effort, though limited by his infirmity, was fueled by a spiritual resolve to fulfill his role as a patriarch chosen by God. This intentional action contrasts with merely passively receiving his son; it indicates he recognized the immense gravity and prophetic nature of the impending conversation and blessing. The ancient cultural expectation was that a dying patriarch's final words carried significant spiritual and legal weight, often shaping the destiny of his descendants. Jacob's response highlights his awareness of this sacred duty, compelling him to transcend his physical limitations. This episode serves as a powerful testament to the triumph of the spirit over the frailties of the flesh when empowered by a clear divine purpose.

Genesis 48 2 Commentary

Genesis 48:2 captures a profoundly significant moment in Jacob's final days, bridging his physical decline with his spiritual vigor and covenantal authority. Upon learning of Joseph's visit, Jacob, despite being terminally ill, exercises an extraordinary act of will. The phrase "he strengthened himself" is key; it's more than a mere physical exertion. It reflects Jacob's deliberate and inner resolve, tapping into the divine strength available to him as "Israel," the man who wrestled with God and prevailed. This self-strengthening is not an act of pride but a submission to his ultimate role as the bearer of God's covenant.

The shift from "Jacob" to "Israel" underscores the prophetic nature of the subsequent blessings. It is "Israel," the representative head of God's chosen people, who now acts, signaling that the ensuing events—the adoption and blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh—are not just a father's dying wishes but a divinely guided arrangement for the future of the tribes. Sitting up, even on his bed, transformed his posture from one of invalidity to one of solemn engagement and patriarchal authority, preparing him to receive his beloved son and impart vital blessings that would shape the destiny of Israel. This single verse showcases how even in ultimate physical weakness, a servant of God can rise to meet the divine purpose with profound spiritual determination.