What does Genesis 41:52 mean?
Two sons are born to Joseph after his remarkable ascent to power in Egypt (Genesis 41:44, 50). Joseph names his second son Ephraim. Ephraim may have meant "fertile land." Joseph names his second boy to recognize God's gift of fruitfulness in Joseph's life even in the land of his affliction. Prior to the birth of his sons, Joseph had been sold into slavery (Genesis 37:28) and falsely imprisoned for years (Genesis 40:14–15).Certainly, God has made Joseph fruitful, both in his work to spare the land from the coming famine (Genesis 41:33–36) and in extending his family to another generation. And yet, Joseph continues to refer to the nation he rules as second in command as the land of his own oppression. For all his power and privilege, Joseph recognizes that he is still, technically, a slave in Egypt.