And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near unto him.
Joseph took both of his sons—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 his grandfather.
Joseph is carefully positioning his two sons so that his aging father Jacob (Israel) can bless them, placing them strategically for what he expects will be the traditional blessing ceremony.
📚 Historical Context
This scene takes place when Jacob (also called Israel) is on his deathbed in Egypt, where his family had come during a severe famine. Joseph, now a powerful leader in Egypt, has brought his two sons born in Egypt to receive their grandfather's blessing. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the positioning of children for blessing was significant, with the right hand typically reserved for the firstborn who would receive the greater blessing.
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