What does Genesis 48:12 mean?
Jacob, on his death bed, is preparing to give his formal blessing to Joseph's two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob has just embraced them and kissed them, pausing to marvel at God's great gift of allowing him to see his son Joseph alive again and even to see Joseph's offspring. It is a tender moment (Genesis 48:1–11).Now Joseph responds by bowing with his face to the ground before his father in a sign of great respect. The action may also have expressed his own gratitude to God and to his father for the privilege of seeing his own sons blessed by Jacob.
First, though, Joseph is said to have removed his sons "from [Jacob's] knees." This is a somewhat confusing line. It is likely that Joseph's two oldest sons are well into their twenties by this point. Thus, it is unlikely they were sitting on Jacob's lap. What's more likely is that Jacob was seated, and the two boys were close to him as he embraced them. Joseph, preparing for the official blessing, is now moving them into position (Genesis 48:13).
Genesis 48:1–22 describes the blessing Jacob pronounces over Joseph's oldest two sons. Significantly, Jacob claims Joseph's two oldest sons as his own, ensuring that each will receive a full portion of his inheritance. This means Joseph's family will receive a double portion. Jacob blesses the pair with a prayer for God's blessing in their lives as he himself has experienced it.
Genesis 48 describes Jacob's deathbed blessing of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. In a surprising move, Jacob claims Joseph's two oldest boys as his own. This makes each a full heir. The result is that Joseph's family will receive a double portion of the inheritance. Jacob prays for them to receive many of the blessings God has given to him during his long life. In another twist, Jacob gives greater blessing to the younger of his two grandsons.
