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Genesis 48:13
ESV And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel 's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel 's right hand, and brought them near him.
NIV And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him.
NASB And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him.
CSB Then Joseph took them both—with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel’s left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel’s right—and brought them to Israel.
NLT Then he positioned the boys in front of Jacob. With his right hand he directed Ephraim toward Jacob’s left hand, and with his left hand he put Manasseh at Jacob’s right hand.
KJV And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.
NKJV And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him.

What does Genesis 48:13 mean?

Joseph's two oldest sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, are in the process of receiving a blessing—the family blessing—from Joseph's father Jacob. In fact, Jacob has officially pronounced that Joseph's sons now belong to him. He has, in essence, adopted them and put them in the position of his two oldest sons ahead of Reuben and Simeon (Genesis 48:1–12).

In the previous verses, Joseph repositioned his sons so he could bow in an expression of great respect and appreciation for his father. Now Joseph moves his two sons into position again. Joseph positions them according to birth order. Lined up three across before Jacob's lap, Joseph places Ephraim on his own right side so that Jacob's left hand will be on Ephraim's head for the blessing. He places Manasseh on his left so that Jacob's right hand will be on his head. Since Manasseh is the oldest, every custom and legal proceeding of the time would demand that he be the one to receive the greater blessing, indicated by the right hand of the one giving the blessing.

Joseph's action was an honorable one. He was helping his blind father to get the blessing right. Jacob, however, will counter Joseph's efforts (Genesis 48:14).
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