17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand(A) on Ephraim’s head(B) he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”(C)

19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great.(D) Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he,(E) and his descendants will become a group of nations.(F) 20 He blessed(G) them that day(H) and said,

“In your[a] name will Israel(I) pronounce this blessing:(J)
    ‘May God make you like Ephraim(K) and Manasseh.(L)’”

So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 48:20 The Hebrew is singular.

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