Genesis 48:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

NIV: As I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan while we were still on the way, a little distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath' (that is, Bethlehem).

NASB: Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath. I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).'

CSB: When I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way, some distance from Ephrath in the land of Canaan. I buried her there along the way to Ephrath" (that is, Bethlehem).

NLT: Long ago, as I was returning from Paddan-aram, Rachel died in the land of Canaan. We were still on the way, some distance from Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). So with great sorrow I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath.'

KJV: And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.

NKJV: But as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

Jacob, on his deathbed, is meeting with Joseph and Joseph's two oldest sons Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 41:50–52). Jacob has just made what may have been a startling announcement: He is claiming Joseph's two oldest sons as his own sons and elevating them to the rank of his oldest sons. As a result, Joseph's sons will receive the birthright and a double portion of the family inheritance (Genesis 48:1–6).

There are several reasons why Jacob would do something so drastic. In part, he is holding his oldest two sons Reuben and Simeon accountable for their sins (Genesis 49:3–7). But now Jacob reveals another motive: his love and heartbreak over his late wife, Rachel (Genesis 29:18; 35:19; 37:3).

Jacob began this conversation with Joseph by remembering the promises God made to him at Bethel, also called Luz (Genesis 48:3–4). Immediately following that appearance from God, Jacob's beloved wife died in childbirth along the road while the family was traveling toward Bethlehem (Genesis 35:16–20). Jacob buried her body there and built a pillar over her grave.

Now Jacob, while blessing Joseph's sons, remembers that moment. Perhaps he is thinking of his own approaching death. Perhaps he is explaining how he wishes to honor her in elevating Joseph's sons to the level of his own sons. In a sense, this would increase the count of Rachel's "sons" from two to four. In any case, the loss of Rachel appears to be always near to Jacob's mind.

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.

Despite a long, difficult life, Jacob survives another 17 years after moving to Egypt. The suffering of his son, Joseph, resulted in the salvation of his family line. Now truly at the end of his days, Jacob claims Joseph's oldest two sons as his own—giving them full rights to a portion of his inheritance. The following chapters will include Jacob's remaining blessings for his sons, and a description of the death and burials of both Jacob and Joseph.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.