GENESIS CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT OVERVIEW
Overall what is happening in this chapter is that Joseph visits his dying father who blesses the two sons of Joseph.
Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 48
Joseph visits his dying father. (Genesis 48:1-7)
Jacob blesses Joseph's sons. (Genesis 48:8-22)
Thomas Coke (1801) – Genesis 48
Joseph brings his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to be blessed by his father: Jacob, adopting them, places his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and his left on Manasseh, and assigns to Joseph that part of the land which he took from the Amorites.
Joseph Benson’s Commentary (1857) – Genesis 48
In this chapter Jacob’s dying words are recorded, because he speaks by a spirit of prophecy; Abraham’s and Isaac’s are not. God’s gifts and graces shine forth much more in some than in others upon their death-beds. Here is:
(1) Joseph, hearing of his father’s sickness, goes to visit him, and takes his two sons with him, (Genesis 48:1-2).
(2) Jacob solemnly adopts his two sons, and takes them for his own, (Genesis 48:3-7).
(3) He blesseth them, (Genesis 48:8-16).
(4) He explains and justifies the crossing his hands in blessing them, (Genesis 48:17-20).
(5) He leaves a particular legacy to Joseph, (Genesis 48:21-22).
John Gill (1746) – Genesis 48
Joseph, hearing that his father Jacob was sick, paid him a visit, (Genesis 49:1); at which time Jacob gave him an account of the Lord's appearing to him at Luz, and of the promise he made unto him, (Genesis 49:3); then he adopted his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and blessed them, and Joseph also, (Genesis 49:5); and whereas he crossed his hands when he blessed the sons of Joseph, putting his right hand on the youngest, and his left hand on the eldest, which was displeasing to Joseph, he gave him a reason for so doing, (Genesis 49:17); and then assured him that God would bring him, and the rest of his posterity, into the land of Canaan, where he assigned him a particular portion above his brethren, (Genesis 49:21).
Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 48
The time drawing nigh that Israel must die, having, in the former chapter, given order about his burial, in this he takes leave of his grand-children by Joseph, and in the next of all his children. Thus Jacob's dying words are recorded, because he then spoke by a spirit of prophecy; Abraham's and Isaac's are not. God's gifts and graces shine forth much more in some saints than in others upon their death-beds. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where it listeth. In this chapter:
I. Joseph, hearing of his father's sickness, goes to visit him, and takes his two sons with him (Genesis 48:1-2).
II. Jacob solemnly adopts his two sons, and takes them for his own (Genesis 48:3-7).
III. He blesses them (Genesis 48:8-16).
IV. He explains and justifies the crossing of his hands in blessing them (Genesis 48:17-20).
V. He leaves a particular legacy to Joseph (Genesis 48:21-22).
KEY VERSE
Genesis 48:21 Then Israel said to Joseph, "Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your fathers.”
KEY CROSS-REFERENCE
Genesis 50:24 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob."
KEY EVENT
Jacob blesses Manasseh and Ephraim.
KEY THOUGHT
When Jacob blesses the two sons of Joseph, in reality, receives a double portion.
KEY QUOTE
“God, in bestowing his blessings upon his people, gives more to some than to others - more gifts, graces, and comforts, and more of the good things of this life.” Matthew Henry
