Study Desk

Jacob said, "Swear to me that you will do so." So Joseph gave him his word. Then Israel bowed down at the head of his bed.

After these things Joseph was told, "Your father is weakening." So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him.

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

Joseph said to his father, "They are the sons God has given me in this place." His father said, "Bring them to me so I may bless them."

Now Israel's eyes were failing because of his age; he was not able to see well. So Joseph brought his sons near to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

So Joseph moved them from Israel's knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.

Joseph positioned them; he put Ephraim on his right hand across from Israel's left hand, and Manasseh on his left hand across from Israel's right hand. Then Joseph brought them closer to his father.

Israel stretched out his right hand and placed it on Ephraim's head, although he was the younger. Crossing his hands, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

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

Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father, for this 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 nation and he too will become great. In spite of this, his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will become a multitude of nations."

Jacob called for his sons and said, "Gather together so I can tell you what will happen to you in the future.

The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs; the nations will obey him.

Binding his foal to the vine, and his colt to the choicest vine, he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

His eyes will be dark from wine, and his teeth white from milk.

Zebulun will live by the haven of the sea and become a haven for ships; his border will extend to Sidon.

When he sees a good resting place, and the pleasant land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and become a slave laborer.

Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.

But his bow will remain steady, and his hands will be skillful; because of the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the eternal mountains or the desirable things of the age-old hills. They will be on the head of Joseph and on the brow of the prince of his brothers.