Joseph experiences God’s faithfulness by seeing his children’s descendants established in Egypt.
Joseph’s long life in Egypt is highlighted when Scripture states, “Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.” (v.23) This verse signals a season of blessing and family growth as he lived long enough to cradle the infants of subsequent generations. Joseph, having been born around 1915 BC to Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), entered Egypt many years prior under dire circumstances. Yet here we find him experiencing great joy in witnessing his family tree flourish within the foreign land of Egypt, likely in the region of Goshen along the fertile Nile Delta.
When it says that “the sons of Machir…were born on Joseph’s knees,” it underscores an ancient cultural practice (v.23). Being "on the knees" could represent a symbolic act of adoption or familial acceptance, suggesting Joseph conferred status and belonging to these descendants of Manasseh. Machir himself would become the founder of the Machirites, one of the influential clans in Israel’s emerging tribal structure. This moment confirms God’s faithfulness to Joseph, as he not only ascended to power under Pharaoh but also enjoyed the legacy of seeing his family established in Egypt.
Joseph’s later years reveal how God’s covenantal blessings extended beyond his personal trials of betrayal and imprisonment, into a legacy of hope for the future tribes of Israel. Although living in a foreign land, Joseph’s lineage continued through Ephraim and Manasseh, who would eventually help form the people Israel which Moses led out of Egypt (Exodus 12:37). In the New Testament, Jesus is called the “Lion that is from the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5), another son of Jacob who carried forward God’s plan of redemption across generations. This verse in Genesis takes us a step closer to that ultimate promise, as it captures the flourishing life and legacy Joseph left behind.
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Genesis 50:23 meaning
Joseph’s long life in Egypt is highlighted when Scripture states, “Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.” (v.23) This verse signals a season of blessing and family growth as he lived long enough to cradle the infants of subsequent generations. Joseph, having been born around 1915 BC to Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), entered Egypt many years prior under dire circumstances. Yet here we find him experiencing great joy in witnessing his family tree flourish within the foreign land of Egypt, likely in the region of Goshen along the fertile Nile Delta.
When it says that “the sons of Machir…were born on Joseph’s knees,” it underscores an ancient cultural practice (v.23). Being "on the knees" could represent a symbolic act of adoption or familial acceptance, suggesting Joseph conferred status and belonging to these descendants of Manasseh. Machir himself would become the founder of the Machirites, one of the influential clans in Israel’s emerging tribal structure. This moment confirms God’s faithfulness to Joseph, as he not only ascended to power under Pharaoh but also enjoyed the legacy of seeing his family established in Egypt.
Joseph’s later years reveal how God’s covenantal blessings extended beyond his personal trials of betrayal and imprisonment, into a legacy of hope for the future tribes of Israel. Although living in a foreign land, Joseph’s lineage continued through Ephraim and Manasseh, who would eventually help form the people Israel which Moses led out of Egypt (Exodus 12:37). In the New Testament, Jesus is called the “Lion that is from the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5), another son of Jacob who carried forward God’s plan of redemption across generations. This verse in Genesis takes us a step closer to that ultimate promise, as it captures the flourishing life and legacy Joseph left behind.