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From between his knees; not his own knees, from which they had been taken before, but Jacob’s knees, between which they stood whilst Jacob kissed and embraced them; from which Joseph removed them, partly that they might not be burdensome to their aged and weak grandfather, and principally that he might place them in fit order and reverent posture to receive the blessing for which he longed.

He bowed himself, testifying thereby his reverence to his father, his thankfulness for the favour which he had now showed to him and his, and his humble and earnest request for his blessing upon them.

No text from Poole on this verse.

The

right hand was more honourable both in Scripture account, and amongst the Gentiles.

Laid it upon Ephraim’s head; which was a rite used often, and in divers cases, as in the conferring of offices either sacred or civil, as Numbers 8:10 Deu 34:9 Acts 6:6 13:3; and among other things, in giving benedictions, as Matthew 19:13.

Guiding his hands wittingly; this proceeded not from chance, or the mistake and weakness of his eyes, but from design, and the wisdom of his hands. Heb. He disposed his hands prudently, or, he dealt wisely with his hands. Here was a double wisdom showed.

1. Human, by which he gathered that Manasseh was the eldest, because Joseph placed him towards his right hand.

2. Divine and prophetical, by which he foresaw Ephraim’s advantage above Manasseh, and wisely suited the ceremony to the substance, giving the greater sign of honour to him, to whom God designed the thing.

He blessed Joseph, not now in his person, but in his children, which yet is called here a blessing of Joseph, because they were a part of himself. In which sense, and upon the same ground, the land of Canaan is ofttimes said to be not only promised, but given to Abraham and Isaac, & c., not as if they were in person to possess it, but because it should be given to their children. Thus Ham is said to be cursed when his son is cursed, Genesis 9:25.

Which fed me, i.e. protected, sustained, and directed me.

The Angel; not surely a created angel, but Christ Jesus, who is called an Angel, Exodus 23:20, and the Angel of the covenant, Malachi 3:1, who was the conductor of the Israelites in the wilderness, as plainly appears by comparing of Exodus 23:20,21, with 1 Corinthians 10:4,9. Add hereunto, that this Angel is called Jacob’s Redeemer, which is the title appropriated by God to himself, Isaiah 43:14 47:4, and that from all evil, and therefore from sin, from which no created angel can deliver us, but Christ only, Matthew 1:21; and that Jacob worshippeth and prayeth to this Angel no less than to God for the blessing, and that without any note of distinction, the word bless being in the singular number, and equally relating to God and to the Angel; and that the Angel to whom he here ascribes his deliverances from all evil, must in all reason be the same to whom he prayed for these very deliverances which he here commemorates, and that was no other than the very God of Abraham, as is evident from Genesis 28:15,20,21 32:9-11 35:3.

Let my name be named on them, i.e. let them be called by my name, owned for my immediate children, and invested with the same privileges with my other children, be the heads of distinct tribes, and as such receive distinct inheritances. And hence they are called the children of Jacob or Israel, no less than the children of Joseph. For the phrase, see Deu 28:10 2 Chronicles 7:14 Isaiah 4:1 Jeremiah 14:9.

And the name of my fathers; let them be called their children; let them not only have my blessing, but the blessings of Abraham and Isaac; let all meet together upon their heads; and let that gracious covenant of God made with Abraham, and confirmed with Isaac and me, be ratified and made good unto them.

It displeased him, because of that affection which parents generally have for their first-born. See Genesis 21:11.

No text from Poole on this verse.

Greater than he; so the tribe of Ephraim was both in number, Numbers 1:32,33,35 2:19,21 Deu 33:17, and in power and privileges; for that tribe was the seat first of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the kingdom. Whence the name of Ephraim is sometimes put for all the ten tribes, as Isaiah 7:2, and sometimes for Joseph himself, as Numbers 1:32 Revelation 7:8, which Manasseh never is.

A multitude of nations, i.e. equal to many nations in number and strength; or, from them shall proceed many nations, i.e. many numerous; potent, and flourishing families, whereof each is equivalent to an ordinary nation. For as

nations are sometimes called families, as Zechariah 14:18, so the tribes and families of Israel are called nations or people, as Ezekiel 2:3 Acts 4:27.