The language of ivrit ( עברית ) Genesis 48, Post #3
Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Genesis 48:12-16
The father's blessing is coming today so this reading is a little longer. We saw Israel (Jacob) had called his son Joseph to come see him last week. He did that because he was near death. We continue with the story from there today.
Joseph knows that the older brother is blessed by the right hand and the younger is blessed with the left. The right hand represents the greater blessing and inheritance. But Joseph's father crosses his arms before giving his blessing.
Yits-chac (Isaac) and Ishmael had been blessed by Abraham, and the younger got the greater blessing. The same happened when Jacob tricked his father into believing he was his burly older brother Esau, thus getting the greater blessing. Jacob is now doing the same unexpected thing with his newly added sons. He wants them to be known as sons of Jacob with a blessing among Joseph's own brothers. This is an odd blessing but as it turns out, a traditional one.
Some say that it is one way that the Creator lets us know that he will bless those he wants to bless and endeavors that he chooses to bless. Sometimes we are surprised by what he chooses to bless and how he chooses to do it.
Today's reading
English
Then Joseph removed them from his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand towards Israel's right hand, and brought them near him. And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). And he blessed Joseph and said,
the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys;
and in them let my name be carried on,
and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac
and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
Hebrew
Next week, Joseph tries to uncross the arms...
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