Jacob’s crossed-hands blessing reminds us that God’s ways and choices often transcend human expectations.
In this scene, Joseph, who lived around the 19th century BC and rose to great prominence in Egypt, addresses his father, Jacob (also called Israel). As Jacob prepares to bless Joseph’s two sons, And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.” (v.18) Joseph insists that Manasseh, his elder son, should receive the blessing of the firstborn. The right hand in ancient Near Eastern culture signified the chief or greater blessing, so Joseph tries to correct what appears to him as an oversight.
However, Jacob (who was born around 2006 BC) knew that God had led him to place his right hand, symbolizing the firstborn’s blessing, upon Ephraim, the younger son. Although Joseph believed Manasseh was entitled to the right-hand blessing, Scripture reveals that Ephraim would hold a place of greater prominence in Israel’s future (Genesis 48:19-20). This theme of the younger surpassing the elder echoes other biblical accounts: Isaac over Ishmael (Genesis 17:18-21), Jacob over Esau (Genesis 25:23), and points to God’s sovereign choice.
Joseph’s respectful plea—“Not so, my father”—displays his concern for upholding customary practice, but it also highlights God’s pattern of working in unexpected ways. By crossing his hands, Jacob illustrates that God’s promises and blessings are given according to His will and sometimes defy human conventions. In addition, this moment foreshadows God’s larger plan to bless nations through chosen lineages, culminating in Jesus Christ, who would be born from Israel’s family line to bring blessing to the world.
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Genesis 48:18 meaning
In this scene, Joseph, who lived around the 19th century BC and rose to great prominence in Egypt, addresses his father, Jacob (also called Israel). As Jacob prepares to bless Joseph’s two sons, And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.” (v.18) Joseph insists that Manasseh, his elder son, should receive the blessing of the firstborn. The right hand in ancient Near Eastern culture signified the chief or greater blessing, so Joseph tries to correct what appears to him as an oversight.
However, Jacob (who was born around 2006 BC) knew that God had led him to place his right hand, symbolizing the firstborn’s blessing, upon Ephraim, the younger son. Although Joseph believed Manasseh was entitled to the right-hand blessing, Scripture reveals that Ephraim would hold a place of greater prominence in Israel’s future (Genesis 48:19-20). This theme of the younger surpassing the elder echoes other biblical accounts: Isaac over Ishmael (Genesis 17:18-21), Jacob over Esau (Genesis 25:23), and points to God’s sovereign choice.
Joseph’s respectful plea—“Not so, my father”—displays his concern for upholding customary practice, but it also highlights God’s pattern of working in unexpected ways. By crossing his hands, Jacob illustrates that God’s promises and blessings are given according to His will and sometimes defy human conventions. In addition, this moment foreshadows God’s larger plan to bless nations through chosen lineages, culminating in Jesus Christ, who would be born from Israel’s family line to bring blessing to the world.