Genesis 50 23

Genesis 50:23 kjv

And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.

Genesis 50:23 nkjv

Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation. The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph's knees.

Genesis 50:23 niv

and saw the third generation of Ephraim's children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph's knees.

Genesis 50:23 esv

And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph's own.

Genesis 50:23 nlt

He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh's son Makir, whom he claimed as his own.

Genesis 50 verses

Genesis 50 23 meaning

Genesis 50:23 describes Joseph's longevity and the fulfillment of God's blessing on his lineage. It highlights his joy in witnessing the prosperity of his family, particularly his grandchildren through Ephraim, and the descendants of his elder son, Manasseh, through Machir. The verse implies not only biological continuity but also the special privilege Joseph had in raising and validating these descendants, symbolizing their inheritance and place within the Israelite nation.

Genesis 50 23 Context

Genesis chapter 50 marks the concluding moments of Joseph’s life and, effectively, the end of the entire book of Genesis. The preceding chapters recount Joseph's reunion with his family, the migration of Jacob and his sons to Egypt, and Jacob's final blessings on his children, including his special blessing for Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 48), which established them as tribes within Israel. This specific verse (50:23) is part of a final summary of Joseph's blessed life, highlighting his longevity and the generational continuity of his family within Egypt. It demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling promises of multiplication to the patriarchs, even while the family is sojourning in a foreign land, setting the stage for the growth of Israel that would eventually lead to the Exodus.

Genesis 50 23 Word analysis

• Joseph (יוֹסֵף, Yoseph): The central figure of this part of Genesis, whose life exemplifies God's providence and faithfulness. His seeing these descendants highlights a life well-lived and blessed.
• saw (וַיַּרְא, wa-yyaar'a): From the root רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning 'to see', 'to perceive', 'to experience'. This is more than mere observation; it conveys direct personal experience and perhaps an act of recognition and blessing, fulfilling the desire to see a family grow.
• Ephraim’s children (בְּנֵי אֶפְרַיִם, bə-nē 'Ephrāyim): "Children" (בָּנִים, banim) refers to sons but often broadly means descendants. Ephraim was Jacob's younger grandson through Joseph, prophesied to be greater than Manasseh (Gen 48:19).
• of the third generation (שִׁלֵּשִׁים, shilleshim): From the root שָׁלשׁ (shalash), meaning 'three' or 'third'. This indicates Ephraim's grandchildren (Joseph's great-grandchildren), showing substantial generational blessing and family growth during Joseph's lifetime. It signifies a long, full, and prosperous life in which God's promises were visibly manifesting.
• and the children of Machir (וְגַם־בְּנֵי מָכִיר, və-gam-bənē Makhîr): "And also the children of Machir." Machir was Manasseh's firstborn (Num 26:29; Josh 17:1), an important ancestor whose descendants played a significant role in Israel's history, notably inheriting Gilead (Num 32:39-40).
• the son of Manasseh (בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁה, ben-Mənasheh): Confirms Machir's direct lineage from Manasseh, Joseph's elder son. Manasseh means "making forget" (Gen 41:51).
• were also brought up upon Joseph’s knees (גַּם יֻלְּדוּ עַל־בִּרְכֵּי יוֹסֵף, gam yullədhū ‘al-birḵē Yôsef): The Hebrew literally means "were born upon Joseph's knees," a Hebrew idiom with a nuanced meaning.
  • yullədhū (יֻלְּדוּ): A passive form of "to beget" or "to give birth to." Here, it indicates 'being received' or 'acknowledged at birth.'
  • ‘al-birḵē Yôsef (עַל־בִּרְכֵּי יוֹסֵף): "Upon Joseph's knees." This phrase has several interpretations rooted in ancient near eastern customs:
    • Adoption/Legitimacy: Placing a newborn on the knees of the patriarch could symbolize adoption or acceptance into the family, formally legitimizing them as descendants and heirs (e.g., Gen 30:3 when Rachel says "I may also have children by her," meaning through Bilhah by being acknowledged on her lap).
    • Nurturing/Parental Care: It could suggest Joseph played an active role in the upbringing or care of these grandchildren and great-grandchildren, fostering them or providing guidance.
    • Blessing: Being placed on the knees of an elder could also be a form of conferring a blessing or expressing special favor, similar to Jacob blessing Joseph's sons.
    • Family Headship: Joseph, as the patriarch, publicly claimed these descendants as part of his household and lineage, signifying their right to inheritance within the tribe.

Genesis 50 23 Bonus section

This verse subtly foreshadows the great multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt (Exod 1:7) before their Exodus. It indicates that the seed planted in Egypt through Jacob's family would indeed become a mighty nation, as promised by God to Abraham. Joseph's peaceful passing, having seen such a significant measure of fulfillment, prepares the reader for the transition from the patriarchal narratives to the narrative of Israel's growth and eventual deliverance from slavery. It underscores that God's plan unfolds across generations, often surpassing an individual's lifetime, but His faithfulness endures.

Genesis 50 23 Commentary

Genesis 50:23 serves as a capstone to Joseph's extraordinary life, demonstrating the tangible fulfillment of God's blessings. After years of trials, prosperity, and stewarding God's people in Egypt, Joseph enjoys the ultimate blessing of a patriarch: seeing his lineage thrive. His witness of Ephraim's children to the third generation, and the reception of Machir's children onto his knees, signifies not only his extended lifespan but also God's faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant promises of multitudinous descendants. The cultural practice of bringing children upon the knees highlights Joseph's active involvement in their recognition, care, and legitimation, solidifying their place in the emerging nation of Israel. It reinforces the theme of continuity and divine providence, reassuring that despite being in a foreign land, the family line, which would become the tribes of Israel, was flourishing under God's watchful eye. It is a testament to the fruit of Joseph's unwavering faith and the promise of a future heritage.