Study Desk

Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father's household with food for their families.

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years.

When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise me that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt,

"Swear to me," Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.

Some time later, Joseph was told, "Your father is ill." So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

When Jacob was told, "Your son Joseph has come to you," Israel rallied his strength and sat up in bed.

Joseph said to his father, "They are the sons God has given me in this place." So Jacob said, "Please bring them to me, that I may bless them."

Now Israel's eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

Then Joseph removed his sons from his father's knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.

And Joseph took both of them-with Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand-and brought them close to him.

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.

When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, he was displeased and took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's.

"Not so, my father!" Joseph said. "This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."

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."

Then Jacob called for his sons and said, "Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come:

The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.

He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.

He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.