King James Version
Genesis 48:18 in the King James Version says “And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.”
Genesis 48:18 · KJV
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. grow: Heb. as fishes do increase
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. displeased: was evil in his eyes
And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. multitude: Heb. fulness
And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Not so my father”
H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
“Not so my father”
H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
“put”
H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
“thy right hand”
H3225the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“upon his head”
H7218the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Genesis 48:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Genesis 48:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge