Jacob's bequest to Joseph is a significant event in the biblical narrative, highlighting the special relationship between Jacob and his son Joseph, as well as the continuation of God's covenantal promises through the patriarchal lineage. This bequest is primarily recorded in Genesis 48, where Jacob, nearing the end of his life, bestows a unique blessing upon Joseph and his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

Context and Background

Jacob, also known as Israel, was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. He fathered twelve sons, who became the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph, the eleventh son, was born to Jacob's favored wife, Rachel, and held a special place in Jacob's heart. This favoritism is evident throughout Joseph's life, from the gift of the multicolored coat (Genesis 37:3) to the profound grief Jacob experienced upon believing Joseph was dead (Genesis 37:34-35).

The Bequest

As Jacob's life drew to a close, he summoned Joseph to his side, along with Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. In Genesis 48:5-6 , Jacob declares, "Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you here, will be reckoned as mine: Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. Any children born to you after them will be yours; they will be called by the names of their brothers in their inheritance."

By adopting Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons, Jacob effectively elevates them to the status of tribal patriarchs, granting them a share in the inheritance equal to that of his direct sons. This act not only honors Joseph but also ensures that his lineage receives a double portion of the inheritance, a privilege typically reserved for the firstborn son.

The Blessing

Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh is a pivotal moment, marked by a prophetic insight into their future. In Genesis 48:14-16 , Jacob crosses his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim, the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh, the firstborn. Despite Joseph's attempt to correct his father, Jacob insists on this arrangement, saying, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:19).

This blessing not only foretells the future prominence of Ephraim but also reflects a recurring biblical theme where God often chooses the younger over the elder, as seen in the cases of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau.

Significance

Jacob's bequest to Joseph and the subsequent blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh hold deep theological and historical significance. The adoption of Joseph's sons into the tribes of Israel underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, ensuring the continuation and expansion of the covenantal blessings. Furthermore, the elevation of Ephraim and Manasseh serves as a testament to God's sovereign will, which often defies human expectations and traditions.

This event also foreshadows the future division and development of the tribes of Israel, with Ephraim eventually becoming a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom. Jacob's prophetic insight and the divine orchestration of these blessings highlight the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the patriarchal lineage, ultimately pointing to the coming of the Messiah.