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13 Then Joseph took the two, Ephraim with his right hand, to Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand, to Israel’s right, and brought them up to him. 14 But Israel, crossing his hands, put out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, although he was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, although he was the firstborn. 15 Then he blessed them with these words:

“May the God in whose presence
    my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
The God who has been my shepherd
    from my birth to this day,(A)
16 The angel who has delivered me from all harm,
    bless these boys
That in them my name be recalled,
    and the names of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac,
And they may become teeming multitudes
    upon the earth!”

17 When Joseph saw that his father had laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, this seemed wrong to him; so he took hold of his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s, 18 saying, “That is not right, father; the other one is the firstborn; lay your right hand on his head!” 19 But his father refused. “I know it, son,” he said, “I know. That one too shall become a people, and he too shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall surpass him, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day and said, “By you shall the people of Israel pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” Thus he placed Ephraim before Manasseh.(B)

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13 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,(A) and brought them close to him. 14 But Israel(B) reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head,(C) though he was the younger,(D) and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.(E)

15 Then he blessed(F) Joseph and said,

“May the God before whom my fathers
    Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully,(G)
the God who has been my shepherd(H)
    all my life to this day,
16 the Angel(I) who has delivered me from all harm(J)
    —may he bless(K) these boys.(L)
May they be called by my name
    and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac,(M)
and may they increase greatly
    on the earth.”(N)

17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand(O) on Ephraim’s head(P) he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”(Q)

19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great.(R) Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he,(S) and his descendants will become a group of nations.(T) 20 He blessed(U) them that day(V) and said,

“In your[a] name will Israel(W) pronounce this blessing:(X)
    ‘May God make you like Ephraim(Y) and Manasseh.(Z)’”

So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 48:20 The Hebrew is singular.