Study Desk

Now Jacob lived in the land of Egypt 17 years, and his life span was 147 years.

When the time approached for him to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor with you, put your hand under my thigh and promise me that you will deal with me in kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt.

And Jacob said, “Swear to me.” So Joseph swore to him. Then Israel bowed in thanks at the head of his bed.

Some time after this, Joseph was told, “Your father is weaker.” So he set out with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

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

And Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons God has given me here.”

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

Then Joseph took them from his father’s knees and bowed with his face to the ground.

Then Joseph took them both—with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel’s left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel’s right—and brought them to Israel.

But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger, and crossing his hands, 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 thought it was a mistake and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.

Joseph said to his father, “Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”

But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know! He too will become a tribe, and he too will be great; nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a populous nation.”

Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather around, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.

The scepter will not depart from Judahor the staff from between his feetuntil he whose right it is comesand the obedience of the peoples belongs to him.

He ties his donkey to a vine,and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine.He washes his clothes in wineand his robes in the blood of grapes.

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

Zebulun will live by the seashoreand will be a harbor for ships,and his territory will be next to Sidon.

He saw that his resting place was goodand that the land was pleasant,so he leaned his shoulder to bear a loadand became a forced laborer.

Dan will judge his peopleas one of the tribes of Israel.