Genesis 48:14

Israel stretched out his right hand— Laying hands on the head was always used among the Jews in giving blessings, in appointing men to any office, and in the consecration of solemn sacrifices. This is the first time we meet with the mention of it; but we often read of it afterwards; see Numbers 18:23.Deuteronomy 34:9. Matthew 13:15. Acts 6:6. 1 Timothy 4:14. Jacob laid his right hand upon the head of the younger, which, we are told, he did wittingly, or although Manasseh was the first-born: he well knew, by the spirit of prophecy, that Ephraim's posterity would prove a more powerful tribe than that of Manasseh. It is observable, how God, from the beginning, has very frequently preferred the younger to the elder, as Abel before Cain, Shem before Japheth, Isaac before Ishmael, Jacob before Esau, Judah and Joseph before Reuben, and here, Ephraim before Manasseh, as afterwards Moses before Aaron, and David the youngest before all his brethren. This is to be resolved entirely into the wise but secret counsel of God, so far as it regards temporal blessings and national privileges, as the Apostle tells us, Romans 9:11. But this preference has no concern with God's conferring a greater measure of his love and approbation on one person than another; for this we are assured can arise from nothing but men's spiritual and moral characters; it is the determination of truth, that with God there is no respect of persons; but in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him, Acts 10:34. But this subject shall be fully considered in its due place.