Genesis 48:22, commentary and pictures

Genesis 48:22 belongs to the Book of Beginnings and to the closing part of the story of Joseph and his brethren, full of lessons on the surface as well as deeper ones. It stands in the account of Israel in Egypt, when Israel journeyed with all that he had and all his seed down to Joseph in the land of Goshen. That larger account includes their reception by Joseph and Pharaoh and Jacob's death and burial.

In its immediate setting the verse is part of Jacob's prophetic blessing near death upon Joseph's sons and upon his own sons and grandsons. It belongs to the close of the story of Joseph, to Jacob's blessing upon his sons with the adoption of Joseph's sons among the twelve tribes. The verse records Jacob giving Joseph a parcel of ground, one portion above his brethren, an extra portion beyond his brothers associated with land taken from the Amorite by force with sword and bow. That extra share above his brothers is a double blessing carried by Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh for his charity, setting them on Mount Gerizim with Judah as king and Levi in faithful ministry to join the great amen of blessing.

The chapter shows God's providential care for Israel and for preserving the progenitors of the promised Seed. Its blessings show that birthright or age does not guarantee favor with God, in that Reuben loses the birthright and Joseph's younger son does not receive the greater blessing. Joseph's history shows that God can guide a person through a winding course and bring him to the place God intends.