Study Desk

Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and introduced him to the king, and Jacob blessed the king.

Joseph obeyed the king and gave his father and brothers the best land in Egypt, near the city of Rameses.

And Joseph gave his father, his brothers, and everyone who lived with them the food they needed.

So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian sold Joseph his field, because the hunger was very great. So the land became the king's,

When Israel knew he soon would die, he called his son Joseph to him and said to him, "If you love me, put your hand under my leg. Promise me you will not bury me in Egypt.

Then Jacob said, "Promise me." And Joseph promised him that he would do this. Then Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his walking stick.

Some time later Joseph learned that his father was very sick, so he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim and went to his father.

When Joseph arrived, someone told Jacob, "Your son Joseph has come to see you." Jacob was weak, so he used all his strength and sat up on his bed.

Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons that God has given me here in Egypt." Israel said, "Bring your sons to me so I may bless them."

At this time Israel's eyesight was bad because he was old. So Joseph brought the boys close to him, and Israel kissed the boys and put his arms around them.

Then Joseph moved his sons off Israel's lap and bowed facedown to the ground.

He put Ephraim on his right side and Manasseh on his left. (So Ephraim was near Israel's left hand, and Manasseh was near Israel's right hand.) Joseph brought the boys close to Israel.

But Israel crossed his arms and put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, who was younger. He put his left hand on the head of Manasseh, the firstborn son.

When Joseph saw that his father put his right hand on Ephraim's head, he didn't like it. So he took hold of his father's hand, wanting to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

Joseph said to his father, "You are doing it wrong, Father. Manasseh is the firstborn son. Put your right hand on his head."

But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. Manasseh will be great and have many descendants. But his younger brother will be greater, and his descendants will be enough to make a nation."

Then Jacob called his sons to him. He said, "Come here to me, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the future.

He ties his donkey to a grapevine, his young donkey to the best branch. He can afford to use wine to wash his clothes and the best wine to wash his robes.

His eyes are dark like the color of wine, and his teeth are as white as the color of milk.

"Zebulun will live near the sea. His shore will be a safe place for ships, and his land will reach as far as Sidon.