Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. New Living Translation He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he claimed as his own. English Standard Version And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. Berean Standard Bible He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees. Berean Literal Bible And Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons. Also, the sons of Machir, son of Manasseh, were born on the knees of Joseph. King James Bible And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees. New King James Version Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph’s knees. New American Standard Bible Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. NASB 1995 Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. NASB 1977 And Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. Legacy Standard Bible And Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. Amplified Bible Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children; also the children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born and raised on Joseph’s knees. Berean Annotated Bible He (YHWH has added) saw Ephraim’s (doubly fruitful) sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir (sold) son of Manasseh (causing to forget) were brought up (were born) on Joseph’s knees. Christian Standard Bible He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation; the sons of Manasseh’s son Machir were recognized by Joseph. Holman Christian Standard Bible He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation; the sons of Manasseh’s son Machir were recognized by Joseph. American Standard Version And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph's knees. Contemporary English Version Joseph lived long enough to see Ephraim's children and grandchildren. He also lived to see the children of Manasseh's son Machir, and he welcomed them into his family. English Revised Version And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph's knees. GOD'S WORD® Translation He saw his grandchildren, Ephraim's children. Even the children of Machir, son of Manasseh, were adopted by Joseph at birth. Good News Translation He lived to see Ephraim's children and grandchildren. He also lived to receive the children of Machir son of Manasseh into the family. International Standard Version Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim's children, as well as the children who had been born to Manasseh's son Machir, whom he adopted as his own. NET Bible Joseph saw the descendants of Ephraim to the third generation. He also saw the children of Makir the son of Manasseh; they were given special inheritance rights by Joseph. New Heart English Bible Joseph saw Ephraim’s descendants to the third generation. The children also of Makir, the son of Manasseh, were counted as Joseph’s own. Webster's Bible Translation And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were brought up upon Joseph's knees. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees. World English Bible Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Joseph looks on Ephraim’s sons of a third [generation]; sons also of Machir, son of Manasseh, have been born on the knees of Joseph. Berean Literal Bible And Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons. Also, the sons of Machir, son of Manasseh, were born on the knees of Joseph. Young's Literal Translation and Joseph looketh on Ephraim's sons of the third generation; sons also of Machir, son of Manasseh, have been born on the knees of Joseph. Smith's Literal Translation And Joseph will see sons to Ephraim of the third generation; also the sons of Machir, son of Manasseh, were brought forth upon Joseph's knees. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he saw the children of Ephraim to the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Ma-nasses were born on Joseph's knees. Catholic Public Domain Version And he saw the sons of Ephraim to the third generation. Likewise, the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born onto Joseph’s knees. New American Bible He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation, and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir were also born on Joseph’s knees. New Revised Standard Version Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation; the children of Machir son of Manasseh were also born on Joseph’s knees. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yoseph saw Aphreim's children, the third generation; also the children of Makir, son of Manassheh, were born on the knees of Yoseph. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph's knees. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Joseph saw the children of Ephraim to the third generation; and the sons of Machir the son of Manasse were borne on the sides of Joseph. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Death of Joseph22Now Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt, and Joseph lived to the age of 110. 23He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees. 24Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”… Cross References He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation Genesis 48:19-20 But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” / So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. 1 Chronicles 7:20-27 The descendants of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, / Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by the natives of Gath, because they went down to steal their livestock. / Their father Ephraim mourned for many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. … Numbers 26:35-37 These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah, the Becherite clan from Becher, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan. / And the descendants of Shuthelah were the Eranite clan from Eran. / These were the clans of Ephraim, and their registration numbered 32,500. These clans were the descendants of Joseph. and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh Numbers 26:29 These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead, and the Gileadite clan from Gilead. Numbers 32:39-40 The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there. / So Moses gave Gilead to the clan of Machir son of Manasseh, and they settled there. Joshua 17:1-3 Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn son, namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because Machir was a man of war. / So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. / But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. were brought up on Joseph’s knees Genesis 30:3 Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.” Genesis 48:12 Then Joseph removed his sons from his father’s knees and bowed facedown. Genesis 48:5 And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. Exodus 1:7 but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:8-10 Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” Exodus 1:12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. Exodus 1:20 So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous. Exodus 1:22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.” Exodus 2:1-2 Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. Exodus 2:10 When the child had grown older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and explained, “I drew him out of the water.” Treasury of Scripture And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph's knees. the children. Genesis 48:19 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. Genesis 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk. Numbers 32:33,39 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about… brought up. Genesis 30:3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. Jump to Previous Birth Born Children Ephraim's E'phraim's Generation Joseph Joseph's Knees Machir Makir Manasseh Manas'seh Placed ThirdJump to Next Birth Born Children Ephraim's E'phraim's Generation Joseph Joseph's Knees Machir Makir Manasseh Manas'seh Placed ThirdGenesis 50 1. The mourning for Jacob.4. Joseph gets leave of Pharaoh to go to bury him. 7. The funeral. 15. Joseph comforts his brothers, who crave his pardon. 22. His age. 23. He sees the third generation of his sons. 24. He prophesies unto his brothers of their return. 25. He takes an oath of them concerning his bones. 26. He dies, and is put into a coffin. He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation This phrase highlights Joseph's longevity and God's blessing upon his family. Seeing descendants to the third generation signifies a full and blessed life, as longevity was considered a sign of divine favor. Ephraim, Joseph's younger son, was blessed by Jacob to become greater than his older brother Manasseh (Genesis 48:19). This fulfillment of Jacob's blessing is evident as Joseph witnesses Ephraim's lineage prospering. The mention of the third generation also connects to the biblical theme of generational blessings and the continuity of God's promises through family lines. and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephThe central figure in this verse, Joseph is one of the twelve sons of Jacob and a key leader in Egypt. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams. 2. Ephraim Joseph's second son, born to him in Egypt. Ephraim's descendants are significant in the history of Israel, often representing the Northern Kingdom. 3. Manasseh Joseph's firstborn son. His descendants, like those of Ephraim, play a crucial role in the tribal history of Israel. 4. Machir The son of Manasseh, and thus Joseph's grandson. Machir's lineage is significant in the tribal allotments of Israel. 5. Egypt The setting of this verse, where Joseph rose to power and where the Israelites lived before the Exodus. Teaching Points Generational FaithfulnessJoseph's ability to see his descendants grow reflects God's faithfulness across generations. Believers are encouraged to invest in the spiritual growth of future generations. Legacy of Leadership Joseph's influence on his family and the nation of Israel underscores the importance of godly leadership. Christians are called to lead with integrity and faith. God's Sovereignty in Family The verse illustrates God's hand in family dynamics and history. Trusting in God's plan for our families can bring peace and purpose. Blessings of Obedience Joseph's life exemplifies the blessings that come from obedience to God. Believers are reminded that faithfulness can lead to blessings for themselves and their descendants. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 50:23?2. How does Genesis 50:23 demonstrate God's faithfulness across generations in your life? 3. What can we learn about family legacy from Genesis 50:23? 4. How does Genesis 50:23 connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:2-3? 5. How can you ensure your faith impacts future generations like Joseph's did? 6. What steps can you take to nurture faith in your family today? 7. How does Genesis 50:23 demonstrate God's faithfulness across generations? 8. What significance do Joseph's descendants hold in Genesis 50:23? 9. How does Genesis 50:23 reflect the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 50? 11. Genesis 48 - How does the inclusion of Ephraim and Manasseh as tribes align with the tribal lists elsewhere in the Bible, and does it create any contradictions? 12. In Genesis 49:22-26, Joseph receives extraordinary blessings, yet historical records of his descendants (Ephraim and Manasseh) show decline--can this be viewed as a failed prophecy? 13. Does the claim in Genesis 50:2-3 that Jacob was embalmed for forty days align with known Egyptian practices, or does it conflict with historical records? 14. Genesis 48:17-19 - Why would God supposedly favor Ephraim over Manasseh despite established primogeniture traditions, and is there any extrabiblical data supporting this choice? What Does Genesis 50:23 Mean He saw Ephraim’s sons• Joseph, once a seventeen-year-old sold into slavery, now witnesses his grandson’s children running around his household—evidence of God’s faithfulness through decades (Genesis 45:7; Psalm 128:6). • Long life is consistently presented as a covenant blessing (Exodus 20:12; Job 42:16). Joseph’s ability to “see” rather than simply hear of these descendants underscores a tangible, lived fulfillment of that promise. To the third generation • Three full generations beyond Ephraim means Joseph lived to see great-great-grandchildren. This fulfills the pattern of multigenerational blessing God spoke over Abraham (Genesis 17:7). • Scripture often uses “third and fourth generation” language to emphasize the durability of either blessing or judgment (Deuteronomy 5:9-10). Here, the emphasis is on blessing—heritage preserved. • The line of Ephraim would later become a leading tribe in Israel (Numbers 1:32-33), so God’s favor shown in Joseph’s lifetime foreshadows future influence. And indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh • Machir is Manasseh’s firstborn (Numbers 26:29). Mentioning him alongside Ephraim balances both halves of Joseph’s inheritance (Genesis 48:5-6). • The text shows that Joseph’s legacy is not narrow or selective; every branch of his family tree is thriving. • Machir’s descendants later possess Gilead east of the Jordan (Joshua 17:1), indicating God’s ongoing provision. Were brought up on Joseph’s knees • “On Joseph’s knees” evokes the ancient practice of placing a child on one’s knees to claim, bless, or nurture (Genesis 30:3; Genesis 48:12). • The phrase pictures Joseph personally investing in his great-grandchildren, handing down faith and family identity, not merely observing from a distance (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). • It affirms the tenderness of a patriarch who, despite governmental authority in Egypt (Genesis 41:40-41), prioritized shepherding his own household—an enduring model for believers (1 Timothy 5:8). summary Genesis 50:23 captures the culmination of God’s covenant kindness to Joseph: a long life, a flourishing posterity through both Ephraim and Manasseh, and the privilege of personally nurturing children several generations deep. The verse celebrates legacy, multigenerational blessing, and active discipleship within the family, all under God’s faithful hand. (23) The third generation.--These would be Joseph's great-grandchildren. Thus Eran, son of Shuthelah, son of Ephraim, was to be born in Joseph's lifetime (Numbers 26:35-36).Were brought up . . . --Heb., were born upon Joseph's knees, that is, were adopted by him. (See Note on Genesis 30:3.) They would not form tribes, as this prerogative was reserved for the sons of Jacob (Genesis 48:5), but they would count as Joseph's sons (Genesis 48:6), and form "families." Verse 23. - And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: - i.e. Ephraim's great-grandchildren (Kalisch, Lange), or Ephraim s great-great-grandsons (Keil, Murphy), which perhaps was not impossible, since Ephraim must have been born before Joseph's thirty-seventh year, thus allowing at least sixty-three years for four generations to intervene before the patriarch's death, which might be, if marriage happened early, say not later than eighteen - the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh-by a concubine (1 Chronicles 7:14) were brought up upon Joseph's knees - literally, were born upon Joseph's knees, i.e. were adopted by him as soon as they were born (Kalisch, Wordsworth, 'Speaker's Commentary'), or were born so that he could take them also upon his knees, and show his love for them (Keil).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Heיוֹסֵף֙ (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites saw וַיַּ֤רְא (way·yar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see Ephraim’s לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם (lə·’ep̄·ra·yim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory sons בְּנֵ֖י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son to the third generation, שִׁלֵּשִׁ֑ים (šil·lê·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8029: Pertaining to the third and indeed גַּ֗ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and the sons בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son of Machir מָכִיר֙ (mā·ḵîr) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4353: Machir -- two Israelites son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Manasseh מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה (mə·naš·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4519: Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites were brought up יֻלְּד֖וּ (yul·lə·ḏū) Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Joseph’s יוֹסֵֽף׃ (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites knees. בִּרְכֵּ֥י (bir·kê) Noun - fdc Strong's 1290: The knee Links Genesis 50:23 NIVGenesis 50:23 NLT Genesis 50:23 ESV Genesis 50:23 NASB Genesis 50:23 KJV Genesis 50:23 BibleApps.com Genesis 50:23 Biblia Paralela Genesis 50:23 Chinese Bible Genesis 50:23 French Bible Genesis 50:23 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 50:23 Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third (Gen. 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