Genesis 48:9 kjv

And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.

Genesis 48:9 nkjv

And Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place." And he said, "Please bring them to me, and I will bless them."

Genesis 48:9 niv

"They are the sons God has given me here," Joseph said to his father. Then Israel said, "Bring them to me so I may bless them."

Genesis 48:9 esv

Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here." And he said, "Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them."

Genesis 48:9 nlt

"Yes," Joseph told him, "these are the sons God has given me here in Egypt." And Jacob said, "Bring them closer to me, so I can bless them."

Genesis 48 verses

Genesis 48 9 Meaning

Genesis 48:9 recounts Joseph's clear declaration to his aged father Jacob, introducing his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Joseph states that these are his own sons, emphasizing that it was God, in His divine providence, who graciously bestowed them upon him in the land of Egypt. This statement highlights Joseph's deep piety and attributes his fruitfulness and family directly to God's hand, establishing the divine origin of the children before they receive their pivotal patriarchal blessing and adoption.

Genesis 48 9 Context

Genesis chapter 48 details a significant moment in Jacob's final days. His eyesight has failed (v. 8), prompting his inquiry "Who are these?" when Joseph brings his sons. This verse immediately follows that question, as Joseph identifies his two sons. The broader context of the chapter involves Jacob's transfer of blessings and spiritual heritage to his descendants. This introduction leads directly to Jacob's unprecedented act of adopting Manasseh and Ephraim, making them his own sons, equivalent to Reuben and Simeon (v. 5), thereby granting them a double portion in the future tribes of Israel. The historical setting is the family of Jacob, newly settled in Goshen, Egypt, under Joseph's care during the famine. Joseph's acknowledgment of God's role in granting him children in Egypt underscores divine providence and faithfulness even in a foreign land. It highlights the patriarchal belief that children, especially male heirs, were a divine gift, crucial for the continuation of the family line and God's covenant promises of numerous descendants to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Genesis 48 9 Word analysis

• And Joseph said (וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף - Vayyo'mer Yoseph):
  • וַיֹּאמֶר (Vayyo'mer): This is a Hebrew waw consecutive imperfect verb, typical in narrative prose. It means "and he said," advancing the story sequentially.
  • יוֹסֵף (Yoseph): Joseph, son of Jacob, ruler of Egypt. His statement carries the authority of a responsible son and a prominent figure in the narrative.
• unto his father (אֶל-אָבִיו - el-'aviw):
  • אֶל (el): A preposition meaning "to" or "unto." Indicates the direction of communication.
  • אָבִיו ('aviw): "His father," referring to Jacob (Israel). Emphasizes the deep respect and the transfer of generational spiritual authority from father to son.
• They are (הֵם - hem):
  • הֵם (hem): A Hebrew third person masculine plural pronoun, meaning "they" or "these are." It directly answers Jacob's question, identifying the two young men.
• my sons (בָּנָי - banay):
  • בָּנָי (banay): "My sons." Joseph clearly asserts his biological paternity over Manasseh and Ephraim, crucial before Jacob adopts them.
• whom God (אֲשֶׁר נָתַן-לִי אֱלֹהִים - 'asher natan-li 'Elohim):
  • אֲשֶׁר ('asher): A relative pronoun, "whom" or "that." Connects the children to their divine origin.
  • אֱלֹהִים ('Elohim): "God." This is a generic yet majestic title for God in Hebrew, often emphasizing His creative and sovereign power. Joseph uses "Elohim" to attribute his fatherhood directly to the supreme Giver of life, distinct from the specific covenant name Yahweh. This counters any potential perception that his prosperity or children came from Egyptian gods or human effort alone.
• hath given me (נָתַן-לִי - natan-li):
  • נָתַן (natan): The Hebrew verb "to give." Used here in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action: God has given them to me. This highlights God's active and benevolent role in Joseph's life. The verb "natan" often describes divine provision of children to barren women, showing God's direct involvement in creating life.
  • -לִי (-li): "To me." Joseph humbly acknowledges that these sons are a divine gift to him.
• in this place (בָּזֶה - ba'zeh):
  • בָּזֶה (ba'zeh): "In this" (place being implied). This phrase unequivocally refers to Egypt. Its inclusion is highly significant: it proclaims that God's blessings and providence are not confined to the land of Canaan but extend to His people even in foreign lands, affirming God's universal dominion and faithfulness. It underscores that God brought forth this new generation while Israel resided as strangers in a pagan land.

Genesis 48 9 Bonus section

• Joseph's humility in attributing his sons to God aligns with the recurring theme throughout Genesis of human prosperity and procreation being a result of divine blessing, not human ingenuity or power. This sets a vital spiritual tone for Jacob's subsequent blessings.
• The emphasis on "God hath given me" connects Joseph's experience to the prior narratives of the matriarchs (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah) who also acknowledged God's direct intervention in their bearing children after periods of barrenness or delay, reinforcing God's supreme authority over life and fertility.
• The fact that these two sons were born and grew up "in this place" (Egypt) implicitly highlights God's protective and sustaining hand over Joseph and his family throughout his long sojourn in a foreign, often hostile, environment. It speaks to God's power to make His people fruitful wherever they are, fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham of vast descendants.
• This verse precedes and justifies Jacob's adoption of Manasseh and Ephraim as his own. Joseph’s acknowledgment that they are "given by God" underscores their rightful place in the patriarchal line, paving the way for their elevated status and inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

Genesis 48 9 Commentary

Genesis 48:9 encapsulates Joseph's profound piety and unwavering faith. His simple yet profound statement identifies his sons while unhesitatingly attributing their existence to God's direct act of giving. This isn't just an identification; it's a testimony of faith, asserting God's sovereignty over life, especially pertinent as these children were born and raised in Egypt, a land brimming with idol worship. Joseph’s specific use of "Elohim" ("God") signifies the universal God, who acts providentially irrespective of geographical boundaries or political standing. The phrase "in this place" underscores that God's covenant faithfulness and ability to multiply His people transcend the physical borders of the promised land. It is a powerful affirmation that the divine blessing follows God's chosen, enabling them to flourish even in circumstances that might appear adverse. This confession of God's role validates the upcoming spiritual adoption and blessing by Jacob, securing Manasseh and Ephraim's place within the emerging tribes of Israel and confirming their inheritance as divinely ordained.