Genesis 41:52
New International Version
The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

New Living Translation
Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”

English Standard Version
The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Berean Standard Bible
And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

King James Bible
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

New King James Version
And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

New American Standard Bible
And he named the second Ephraim; “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

NASB 1995
He named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

NASB 1977
And he named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Amplified Bible
He named the second [son] Ephraim (fruitfulness), for “God has caused me to be fruitful and very successful in the land of my suffering.”

Christian Standard Bible
And the second son he named Ephraim and said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And the second son he named Ephraim, meaning, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

American Standard Version
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Contemporary English Version
His second son was named Ephraim, which means "God has made me a success in the land where I suffered."

English Revised Version
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He named the second son Ephraim [Blessed Twice With Children], because God gave him children in the land where he had suffered.

Good News Translation
He also said, "God has given me children in the land of my trouble"; so he named his second son Ephraim.

International Standard Version
He named his second son Ephraim because, he said, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my troubles."

Majority Standard Bible
And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, ?God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.?

NET Bible
He named the second child Ephraim, saying, "Certainly God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

New Heart English Bible
And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

World English Bible
The name of the second, he called Ephraim: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the name of the second he has called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Young's Literal Translation
and the name of the second he hath called Ephraim: 'for, God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of mine affliction.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the name of the second, he called Ephraim; for God caused me to flourish in the land of my affliction.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he named the second Epharaim, saying: God hath made me to grow in the land of my poverty.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Likewise, he named the second Ephraim, saying, “God has caused me to increase in the land of my poverty.”

New American Bible
and the second he named Ephraim, meaning, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

New Revised Standard Version
The second he named Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortunes.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the name of the second he called Ephraim; For God has made me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the name of the other he called Aphreim, because, “God made me fruitful in the land of my bondage.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: 'for God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he called the name of the second, Ephraim; for God, said he, has increased me in the land of my humiliation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Seven Years of Plenty
51Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” 52 And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Cross References
Genesis 48:19
But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”

Genesis 49:22
Joseph is a fruitful vine—a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall.

Exodus 1:7
but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.

Deuteronomy 33:17
His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”

Psalm 105:24
And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,

Isaiah 11:1
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.

Isaiah 27:6
In the days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole world with fruit.

Isaiah 49:20
Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’

Jeremiah 31:20
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 36:11
I will fill you with people and animals, and they will multiply and be fruitful. I will make you as inhabited as you once were, and I will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Hosea 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

John 15:2
He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

Acts 7:14
Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.

Romans 11:17
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root,


Treasury of Scripture

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

A.

Genesis 29:32-35
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me…

Genesis 30:6-13
And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan…

Genesis 50:23
And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.

Ephraim.

Genesis 48:16-19
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth…

Genesis 49:22
Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

Isaiah 40:1,2
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God…

the land.

Psalm 105:17,18
He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: …

Amos 6:6
That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Acts 7:10
And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

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Genesis 41
1. Pharaoh has two dreams.
9. Joseph interprets them.
33. He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married.
46. The seven years of plenty.
50. He begets children.
53. The famine begins.














And the second son he named Ephraim
Ephraim, the second son of Joseph, is significant in the biblical narrative. His name means "fruitful," which reflects Joseph's experience in Egypt. Ephraim would later become one of the tribes of Israel, often representing the Northern Kingdom. The naming of Ephraim is prophetic, as his descendants would become numerous and influential. This act of naming also reflects the Hebrew tradition of names carrying deep meaning and often prophetic significance.

saying, “God has made me fruitful
Joseph acknowledges God's providence in his life. Despite his hardships, God has blessed him abundantly. This fruitfulness is both literal, in terms of his family and wealth, and spiritual, as Joseph's faith and leadership grow. This phrase echoes the Abrahamic covenant, where God promises to make Abraham's descendants fruitful (Genesis 17:6). Joseph's recognition of God's hand in his prosperity is a testament to his faith and reliance on God.

in the land of my affliction.”
Egypt, the land of Joseph's affliction, was where he faced betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment. Yet, it is also where God elevated him to a position of power. This paradox highlights a recurring biblical theme: God can bring good out of suffering. Joseph's story prefigures the suffering and exaltation of Christ, who also endured affliction for a greater purpose. The land of affliction becomes a place of blessing, illustrating God's sovereignty and redemptive power.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
The central figure in this passage, Joseph is the son of Jacob and Rachel. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, rose to power in Egypt, and became second in command to Pharaoh. His life is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness.

2. Ephraim
The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt. His name means "fruitful," reflecting Joseph's acknowledgment of God's blessings despite his hardships.

3. Egypt
The land where Joseph was taken as a slave, later becoming a place of power and prosperity for him. It symbolizes both affliction and blessing in Joseph's life.

4. Affliction
Refers to the trials and hardships Joseph faced, including betrayal by his brothers, slavery, and imprisonment. Despite these, God made him fruitful.

5. God's Providence
The overarching theme of this passage, highlighting how God can bring about good and fruitfulness even in difficult circumstances.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Trials
Joseph's life illustrates that God is in control, even in our afflictions. We can trust Him to bring about His purposes.

Fruitfulness in Affliction
Like Joseph, believers can experience growth and blessings even in difficult times. Our trials can lead to spiritual fruitfulness.

Naming and Identity
Joseph's naming of Ephraim reflects a conscious acknowledgment of God's work in his life. We should also recognize and declare God's faithfulness in our lives.

Perspective on Hardships
Joseph's account encourages us to view our hardships as opportunities for God to work in and through us, rather than as mere obstacles.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Joseph remained faithful to God despite his circumstances, serving as a model for us to maintain our faith and integrity in challenging times.(52) Ephraim.--That is, fruitfulness. The dual ending probably intensifies the meaning.

Verse 52. - And the name of the second called he Ephraim: - "Double Fruitfulness" (Keil), "Double Land" (Gesenius), "Fruit." (Furst) - For God (Elohim) hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. This language shows that Joseph had not quite forgotten "all his toil."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the second [son]
הַשֵּׁנִ֖י (haš·šê·nî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

he named
שֵׁ֥ם (šêm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

Ephraim,
אֶפְרָ֑יִם (’ep̄·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

saying,
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

“God
אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has made me fruitful
הִפְרַ֥נִי (hip̄·ra·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 6509: To bear fruit, be fruitful

in the land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of my affliction.”
עָנְיִֽי׃ (‘ā·nə·yî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6040: Affliction, poverty


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OT Law: Genesis 41:52 The name of the second he called (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 41:51
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