Genesis 48:14
But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger; and crossing his hands, he put his left on Manasseh's head, although Manasseh was the firstborn.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 48:14?

2. Why did Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48:14?

3. How does Genesis 48:14 illustrate God's sovereignty in choosing leaders?

4. What lessons on faith can we learn from Jacob's actions in Genesis 48:14?

5. How does Genesis 48:14 connect to God's promises to Abraham and Isaac?

6. How can we apply Jacob's discernment in Genesis 48:14 to our daily decisions?

7. Why did Jacob cross his hands to bless Ephraim over Manasseh in Genesis 48:14?

8. What is the significance of the right hand in Genesis 48:14?

9. How does Genesis 48:14 reflect God's sovereignty in choosing leaders?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 48?

11. Genesis 48:14 – How can Jacob’s crossing of his hands and reversing birth order be reconciled with typical ancient customs?

12. What does secretive action between hands signify?

13. What does the Bible say about laying on hands?

14. Does the association of the wise with the “right” and fools with the “left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) reflect outdated cultural biases, and how does it align with modern moral or ethical views?
Discussion Questions
1. How does the blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh reflect God's sovereignty, and what does this teach us about His plans for our lives?

2. In what ways can we, like Jacob, demonstrate faith in God's promises, especially when they seem delayed or unlikely?

3. How can we ensure that we are passing on a spiritual legacy to the next generation, as Jacob did with his grandsons?

4. What are some examples in your life where God's grace has defied human expectations or traditions?

5. How does understanding God's sovereign choice in the Bible help us trust Him more fully in our daily decisions and challenges?1. What significance does Jacob's blessing hold for Ephraim and Manasseh? How would you interpret this in today's context?

2. How does Jacob's reminiscing about Rachel affect the understanding of his family ties?

3. How do you understand the symbolism of Jacob crossing his hands while blessing Ephraim and Manasseh?

4. What does Jacob's prophecy about Ephraim and Manasseh suggest about divine plans and human expectations?

5. How does Jacob's assurance of God's guidance comfort Joseph? How can this be applied in today's life during times of loss?

6. What does Jacob's passing teach about legacies and death?

7. How does the narrative portray the dynamics between Joseph and his father, Jacob?

8. How does the patriarchal blessing relate to the modern practice of writing a will?

9. Why does Jacob emphasize Ephraim's greatness over Manasseh's, despite Manasseh being the firstborn?

10. What is the importance of inheritance in this context, and how does it reflect in contemporary society?

11. How does the divine promise influence Jacob's decisions and actions throughout his life?

12. How would you react if you were in Joseph's place, seeing your father bless the younger son more?

13. How does Jacob's faith in God's promise shape his actions towards his grandsons?

14. How do you think Joseph felt when Jacob claimed his sons as his own?

15. How does the narrative portray the values of faith, family, and legacy?

16. How can the narrative's themes of divine guidance and faith be applied to personal decision-making today?

17. How does this story redefine the norms of blessing and inheritance?

18. How does the narrative shape our understanding of God's providence?

19. How does Jacob's acceptance of his impending death inspire an understanding of life's impermanence?

20. What lessons on dealing with death and grieving can be learned from this narrative?

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