Genesis 48:3 kjv

And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

Genesis 48:3 nkjv

Then Jacob said to Joseph: "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,

Genesis 48:3 niv

Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me

Genesis 48:3 esv

And Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me,

Genesis 48:3 nlt

Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me.

Genesis 48 verses

Genesis 48 3 Meaning

Jacob, on his deathbed, declares to Joseph that God Almighty (El Shaddai) previously appeared to him at Luz (Bethel) in the land of Canaan and pronounced a divine blessing upon him. This statement serves as the authoritative foundation for the blessing and adoption Jacob is about to bestow upon Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, grounding his act in God's prior covenant faithfulness and power.

Genesis 48 3 Context

Genesis 48 is part of Jacob's final days in Egypt, where he is preparing to bless his descendants. After summoning Joseph, who brings his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob recounts a pivotal moment of divine encounter and blessing. This memory is not mere reminiscing but serves as the direct spiritual and theological premise for Jacob's intention to adopt Joseph's sons and bestow upon them the covenant inheritance, essentially making them co-heirs with his other natural sons, integrating them fully into the nascent nation of Israel and securing their place in the Promised Land.

Genesis 48 3 Word analysis

• And Jacob said: Signals Jacob’s deliberate intention to speak a weighty matter. He is speaking from a position of authority and experience as the patriarch nearing his end, about to impart a critical legacy.
• unto Joseph: Joseph, as the primary recipient, is chosen to understand the divine basis for the unique blessing his sons are about to receive. He represents the link to Egypt yet carries the hope for Israel's future.
• God Almighty: Hebrew: אֵל שַׁדַּי (El Shaddai).
  • El (God): A generic term for God, but when combined with Shaddai, it denotes the most powerful and sovereign God.
  • Shaddai (Almighty/All-Sufficient): This specific epithet emphasizes God's omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and His ability to fulfill His promises, particularly those related to fruitfulness, multiplication, and covenant preservation. This name often appears when God is establishing or confirming the patriarchal covenant, assuring abundant progeny and possession of land. It underscores His boundless power to provide and bring forth life even in challenging circumstances.
• appeared unto me: Hebrew: וַיֵּרָא אֵלָי (vayyera elai). Denotes a visible manifestation of God (a theophany or vision), not just a dream or internal thought. This confirms the direct divine origin and authenticity of the revelation and blessing Jacob received, providing absolute certainty to his words. It signifies a tangible, real encounter between the divine and the human, establishing Jacob's authority and legitimizing his actions.
• at Luz: The original name of the city which Jacob renamed Bethel (Hebrew: בֵּית־אֵל, Beyt-El, "house of God") in Gen 28:19 after his first profound encounter with God there (Jacob's Ladder dream).
  • Significance: By recalling "Luz," Jacob highlights the precise sacred location where these foundational divine promises and blessings were given to him, underscoring the enduring significance of God's covenantal revelation.
• in the land of Canaan: Emphasizes the geographical location of the covenant promise. Even though Jacob and Joseph are now in Egypt, Jacob points back to the promised land where God's promises of land and descendants were initially given and repeatedly reaffirmed. This serves as a vital reminder that despite their current dwelling, Israel’s true inheritance and future belong to Canaan.
• and blessed me: Hebrew: וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתִי (vayvarekh oti). God's act of conferring divine favor, prosperity, and power to multiply and thrive. This active blessing from God is the wellspring of all subsequent patriarchal blessings. Jacob's power to bless Joseph's sons derives directly from God's prior blessing upon him, demonstrating a chain of divine authority and covenant continuity.

Words-group analysis:

• "God Almighty appeared unto me": This phrase underlines the direct divine origin of Jacob's authority. His blessing is not merely human desire but stems from an undeniable, direct encounter with the all-powerful, covenant-keeping God. It authenticates Jacob’s authority to transfer the blessing and lineage.
• "at Luz in the land of Canaan": This geographical specificity grounds the divine encounter in a concrete, covenantally significant place. Luz/Bethel is the site of Jacob's foundational covenant encounter and subsequent re-affirmation (Gen 28:10-22, Gen 35:9-15), linking the blessing about to be bestowed on Ephraim and Manasseh directly to God's ancient and enduring promises regarding the land and seed.
• "appeared unto me ... and blessed me": This pairing signifies a sequence where divine presence leads to divine pronouncement and enablement. God’s manifestation is always purposeful, and in this context, it leads directly to the transmission of covenant promises and power to the patriarch, enabling him to bless the next generation.

Genesis 48 3 Bonus section

Jacob specifically chooses to recall the divine appearance at Bethel (Luz) as the source of his authority to bless. This particular encounter, recounted in Gen 35:9-12, took place after Jacob wrestled with God and was renamed "Israel." Therefore, when Jacob states "God Almighty appeared unto me" in Gen 48:3, he is implicitly referring to the renewed blessing received as "Israel," signifying the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant through the established nation, not merely as an individual. This emphasis on his transformed identity ("Israel") through divine encounter underscores the gravitas and permanence of the blessing he is now imparting to Joseph's sons. The choice of Luz also serves as a poignant reminder that even though the covenant people are temporarily prospering in Egypt, their true destiny, and the promises of multiplication and inheritance, are inextricably linked to the land of Canaan, making it central to their identity and hope.

Genesis 48 3 Commentary

Jacob's recitation in Genesis 48:3 is more than a sentimental recollection; it's a foundational theological statement legitimizing his final acts. By invoking "God Almighty" (El Shaddai) and referring to His appearance "at Luz in the land of Canaan" where He "blessed me," Jacob strategically roots his upcoming blessing and adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh in divine authority and covenant history. This declaration ensures Joseph and his sons understand that their forthcoming inclusion into the tribal structure of Israel, receiving a full double inheritance, is not a mere paternal whim but a continuation of God's sovereign plan, initiated by His direct revelations and consistent faithfulness. It provides profound assurance that the covenant promises of land, seed, and blessing remain active and extend to the next generation, preparing them for their ultimate inheritance.