Biblical Context:
The account of Joseph visiting his ailing father, Jacob, is found in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 48. This narrative is part of the larger account of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who rose to prominence in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers. The visit occurs during the final days of Jacob's life, as he resides in Egypt with his family, having been reunited with Joseph after years of separation.

Scriptural Account:
In Genesis 48, Joseph is informed that his father, Jacob, is ill. He takes his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to visit Jacob. The passage begins with the words, "Some time later, Joseph was told, 'Your father is ill.' So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim" (Genesis 48:1). This visit is significant as it leads to the formal adoption and blessing of Joseph's sons by Jacob, which has lasting implications for the tribes of Israel.

Jacob's Blessing:
Upon their arrival, Jacob gathers his strength to sit up in bed and recounts to Joseph the promise God made to him at Luz (Bethel) regarding the multiplication of his descendants and the inheritance of the land of Canaan. Jacob then 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" (Genesis 48:5). This act effectively elevates Ephraim and Manasseh to the status of Jacob's own sons, granting them a share in the inheritance alongside Joseph's brothers.

The Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh:
Jacob proceeds to bless Joseph's sons, but in a surprising turn, he crosses his hands, placing his right hand on the younger Ephraim's head and his left on Manasseh's. Joseph attempts to correct his father, but Jacob insists, 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 prophetic blessing underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the reversal of human expectations, a recurring motif in the biblical narrative.

Theological Significance:
The visit of Joseph to his ailing father and the subsequent blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh hold deep theological significance. It highlights the continuity of God's covenant promises through the patriarchs and the unfolding of His divine plan. The adoption of Joseph's sons by Jacob ensures their inclusion in the covenant community, symbolizing God's grace and the expansion of His chosen people. The preference for the younger Ephraim over Manasseh also reflects the biblical theme of God's election, where He often chooses the unlikely or the younger to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the lives of Isaac, Jacob, and David.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the act of blessing and the laying on of hands were significant rituals that conveyed authority, inheritance, and divine favor. Jacob's decision to adopt and bless Joseph's sons would have been understood as a powerful affirmation of their place within the family lineage and the broader narrative of Israel's history. This event also foreshadows the future division of the tribes of Israel, with Ephraim becoming a dominant tribe in the northern kingdom.

Legacy:
The legacy of this encounter is evident in the subsequent history of Israel. Ephraim and Manasseh become two of the twelve tribes, with Ephraim often representing the northern kingdom in biblical literature. The blessing of these two sons by Jacob is commemorated in Jewish tradition, where parents bless their children with the words, "May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh" (Genesis 48:20), highlighting the enduring impact of this patriarchal blessing.