CHAPTER XLVIII _Joseph, hearing that his father was near death, took his two sons,_ Ephraim _and_ Manasseh, _and went to_ Goshen, _to visit him_, 1. _Jacob strengthens himself to receive them_, 2. _Gives Joseph an account of God's appearing to him at Luz, and_ _repeating the promise_, 3, 4. _A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:2. _ISRAEL STRENGTHENED HIMSELF, AND SAT UPON THE BED._] He had been confined to his bed before, (see Genesis 47:31), and now, hearing that Joseph was come to see him, he made what efforts his little remaining strength would admit, to sit up in bed to receive his son. This verse pro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:3. _GOD ALMIGHTY_] אל שדי _El Shaddai, the all-sufficient_ _God_, the _Outpourer and Dispenser of mercies_, (see Genesis 17:1), _appeared to me at Luz_, afterwards called _Beth-El_; see Genesis 28:13; Genesis 35:6; Genesis 35:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:5. _AND NOW THY TWO SONS, EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH _- ARE _MINE_] I now adopt them into my own family, and they shall have their place among my twelve sons, and be treated in every respect as those, and have an equal interest in all the spiritual and temporal blessings of the covenant.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:7. _RACHEL DIED BY ME, C._] Rachel was the wife of Jacob's choice, and the object of his unvarying affection he loved her in life - he loves her in death: many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. A match of a man's own making when guided by reason and religio... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:8. _WHO_ ARE _THESE?_] At Genesis 48:10 it is said, that Jacob's eyes were dim for age, that he _could not see _- could not discern any object unless it were near him; therefore, though he saw Ephraim and Manasseh, yet he could not _distinguish_ them till they were brought nigh unto... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:11. _I HAD NOT THOUGHT TO SEE THY FACE_] There is much delicacy and much tenderness in these expressions. He feels himself now amply recompensed for his long grief and trouble on account of the supposed death of Joseph, in seeing not only himself but his two sons, whom God, by an es... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:12. _JOSEPH - BOWED HIMSELF WITH HIS FACE TO THE EARTH._] This act of Joseph has been extravagantly extolled by Dr. _Delaney_ and others. "When I consider him on his knees to God," says Dr. Delaney, "I regard him as a poor _mortal_ in the discharge of his _duty_ to his CREATOR. Whe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:14. _ISRAEL STRETCHED OUT HIS RIGHT HAND, C._] Laying hands on the head was always used among the Jews in giving blessings, designating men to any office, and in the consecration of solemn sacrifices. This is the first time we find it mentioned but we often read of it afterwards. S... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:15. _HE BLESSED JOSEPH_] The father first, and then the sons afterwards. And this is an additional proof to what has been adduced under Genesis 48:12, of Jacob's _superiority_; for the _less_ is always blessed of the _greater_. _THE GOD WHICH FED ME ALL MY LIFE LONG_] Jacob is now... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:16. _THE ANGEL WHICH REDEEMED ME FROM ALL EVIL_] המלאך הגאל _hammalac haggoel_. The Messenger, the Redeemer or _Kinsman_; for so גאל _goel_ signifies; for this term, in the law of Moses, is applied to that person whose right it is, from his being nearest _akin_, to redeem or purcha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:18. _JOSEPH SAID - NOT SO, MY FATHER_] Joseph supposed that his father had made a mistake in laying his right hand on the head of the youngest, because the _right hand_ was considered as the most _noble_, and the instrument of conveying the highest dignities, and thus it has ever be... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:20. _IN THEE SHALL ISRAEL BLESS_] That is, in future generations the Israelites shall take their form of wishing prosperity to any nation or family from the circumstance of the good which it shall be known that God has done to Ephraim and Manasseh: _May God make thee as fruitful as... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:21. _BEHOLD, I DIE_] With what composure is this most awful word expressed! Surely of Jacob it might be now said, "He turns his sight undaunted on the tomb;" for though it is not said that he _was full of days_, as were Abraham and Isaac, yet he is perfectly willing to bid adieu to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 48:22. _MOREOVER I HAVE GIVEN TO THEE ONE PORTION_] שכם אחד _shechem achad_, one shechem or one _shoulder_. We have already seen the transactions between Jacob and his family on one part, and _Shechem_ and the sons of _Hamor_ on the other. See Genesis 33:18-1, and Genesis 34:1. As he... [ Continue Reading ]