Genesis 48:12-20

International Standard Version

¹² Joseph took them off his knees and then bowed low with his face to the ground. ¹³ Then he brought them both close to his father,^[a] placing Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right. ¹⁴ But Israel stretched out his right hand, laying it on Ephraim’s head (he was the younger son) and laying his left hand on Manasseh’s head (even though Manasseh was the firstborn).

Israel Blesses Joseph’s Sons

¹⁵ Then Israel blessed Joseph by saying:

¹⁷ But Joseph observed that his father had laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head. That displeased him, so he grabbed his father’s hand and started to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. ¹⁸ “No, father, this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.”

¹⁹ But his father refused. “I know,” he said. “I know. He’s going to produce a large nation, and he’s going to be very great. However, his younger brother will become even greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.”

²⁰ That very day, Jacob^[c] blessed them with this blessing:^[d]

By doing this, he placed Ephraim before Manasseh.