Genesis 48:18 net — Joseph said to his father,“Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”

NET Bible

"Joseph said to his father,“Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”"

— Genesis 48:18, NET Bible

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Genesis 48:18 in Other Translations

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Genesis 48 — Context

15

Then he blessed Joseph and said,“May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked– the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,

16

the Angel who has protected me from all harm– bless these boys. May my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. May they grow into a multitude on the earth.”

17

When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him. So he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

18

Joseph said to his father,“Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”

19

But his father refused and said,“I know, my son, I know. He too will become a nation and he too will become great. In spite of this, his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.”

20

So he blessed them that day, saying,“By you will Israel bless, saying,‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’”So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

21

Then Israel said to Joseph,“I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.

Genesis 48:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 48:18 say?
Genesis 48:18 in the NET Bible reads: “Joseph said to his father,“Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.””
Where is Genesis 48:18 in the Bible?
Genesis 48:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 48, verse 18.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 48:18.
What translation should I read Genesis 48:18 in?
Genesis 48:18 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 48:18?
Genesis 48:18 reads (NET): “Joseph said to his father,“Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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