Genesis 48

Genesis 48:3

APpeared unto me] This seemeth to be remembred by Jacob, to acknowledge that Josephs issue was an effect of that blessing of God, and also to shew that since he had from God right in the land of Canaan, he might by especiall authority dispose of it, as he doth here; adopting of Josephs children, and placing them in the same ranke with his owne; and by that meanes binding Joseph, and his, to keep themselves joyned to the body of the Church.

Genesis 48:5

Are mine] That is to say, I adopt them for mine, and make them heires to an equall share with mine owne children, and will have every one of them to be a severall head of a tribe: see 1 Chronic. 5. 1 Reuben and Sien] Which were Jacobs two eldest sons.

Genesis 48:6

Shall be thine] Shall be held in the number of my grand-children, and shall not be severall tribes, but must joyne with one of the two, Manasses, or Ephraim, and carry the name of it, and have a part amongst them, as if they were their children.

Genesis 48:7

And as forme] This seemeth to be also inserted, to instigate Joseph to desire the Land of Canaan where his mother was buried, and to shew that she dying in the floure of her age, he would by adopting Josephs sons, fill up the number which she might have had besides.

Genesis 48:12

Brought them out] after Jacob had a while cherished Josephs children, Joseph did put himself in an humble and reverend posture, to receive the prophetiall and patriarchall blessing.

Genesis 48:14

Wittingly] Not by chance, nor through error, but purposely, and by divine inspiration.

Genesis 48:15

Fed me] Provided for me in all my wants, guided, and conducted me.

Genesis 48:16

The Angel] The son of God who appeared in the time of the fathers, and in whom the everlasting Father did manifest himselfe unto them, as in the person of the mediator: See upon Genesis 16:7. and is the same who was called God in the precedent verse Be named on them] Let them beare the name of us Patriarks, as our lawfull children, not only according to the flesh, but also according to the promise, of which they shall be heires. He saith so because that the name of Patriarks was quickly extinguished in Ismael and Esau his race, who were cast out of the holy stock: and remained appropriated to the Church: Genesis 21:12 Grow into a multitude] The Hebrew hath it, let them increase like fishes; for the increase of fishes is more numerous than that of any other kinde.

Genesis 48:17

It displeased him] Through the naturall affection of Father to their first borne, though God hath almost alwayes put them back, as Cain, Japhet, Ishmael, Esau, Zera, Reuben, the brothers of David, and others, to shew that his grace is not tied to any order of nature.

Genesis 48:20

Israel] That is to say thy children shall be as a President of an excellent blessing amongst the Israelites: see Ruth 4. 11. 12. and Jerem. 29. 22.

Genesis 48:21

And bring you againe] Shall at his appointed time bring your posterity back againe into the Land of Canaan, of which he hath promised, & given a right to your fore-fathers, and where they have dwelt as in their native countrey.

Genesis 48:22

To thee] Besides the two parts which I have assigned to thy posterity in the division of the Land of Canaan, I do order that Ephraim shall have moreover Sichem and the countrey belonging to it: See John 4:5 One portion] In the Hebrew there is an ambiguitie between part and Sichem, and by that Jacob sheweth, that by that part, he specially meaneh Sichem With my] With my sns swords, who there wrought my revenge, for the disgrace done to my daughter. Genesis 34:25. For although Jacob reproved the deed: Gen. 34. 30. and 49. 6. yet remained he Lord of the place, as by right of warre: which was as the first fruit of the destruction of the accursed nations.