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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Genesis 48  › Genesis 48:8

Genesis 48:8

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Genesis 48:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”

King James Version KJV

And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?

American Standard Version ASV

And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who are these?

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then Israel, looking at Joseph's sons, said, Who are these?

Free Bible Version FBV

Israel saw Joseph's sons and said, “So these are your sons?”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then Israel beheld Iosephs sonnes and sayd, Whose are these?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Israel seeth the sons of Joseph, and saith, 'Who [are] these?'

World English Bible WEB

Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Then seeing his sons, he said to him: Who are these?

Translation for Translators T4T

When Jacob saw Joseph’s sons, he asked, “Who are these boys?”

Plain English Version PEV

Jacob was very old, and his eyes were weak, so he couldn’t see very well. He looked at Joseph’s 2 sons, and he said to Joseph, “Who are these 2 boys?” Joseph said, “They are my sons, the ones that God gave me here in this country.” Then Jacob said, “Bring them near to me. I will put my hands on them, and I will ask God to be good to them.” So Joseph took his 2 sons near to Jacob. And Jacob hugged those 2 boys, and he kissed them on their cheeks.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 48:8

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 48:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יַּ֥רְא יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶת בְּנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֑ף וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר מִי אֵֽלֶּה
וַ/יַּ֥רְא râʼâh H7200 Provider Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 son N-mp
יוֹסֵ֑ף Yôwçêph H3130 Joseph N-proper
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִי mîy H4310 who? Part
אֵֽלֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 these Pron
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 48:8

וַ/יַּ֥רְא râʼâh H7200 "Provider" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יוֹסֵ֑ף Yôwçêph H3130 "Joseph" N-proper
Joseph means Jehovah has added, a name given to several Israelites, including the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph was a significant figure in the book of Genesis and the story of his brothers. He became a leader in Egypt.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.14 § Joseph = "Jehovah has added" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel 2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies 3) a son of Asaph 4) a man who took a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 5) a priest of the family of Shebaniah in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: Joseph. Compare H3084 (יְהוֹסֵף). See also: Genesis 30:24; Genesis 47:5; Psalms 77:16.
וַ/יֹּ֖אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
מִי mîy H4310 "who?" Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
אֵֽלֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 "these" Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.

Study Notes — Genesis 48:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Genesis 48:8 Summary

In Genesis 48:8, Israel asks about the identity of Joseph's sons, which shows that even in old age, he is still interested in his family and wants to know about the next generation. This verse teaches us about the importance of family and the value of seeking God's blessing for our loved ones, as seen in other Bible verses like Psalm 127:3-5 and Proverbs 17:6. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn to trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, just like Israel did, and to prioritize our relationships with our family and community. By doing so, we can experience God's love and care for us, just as Israel did in his life, as mentioned in Genesis 28:15 and Genesis 46:3-4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Israel ask who the sons of Joseph were, didn't he already know?

Israel's eyesight was poor due to old age, as mentioned in Genesis 48:10, so he may not have been able to see them clearly, prompting him to ask for their identity.

What is the significance of Israel seeing the sons of Joseph in this verse?

This encounter is significant because it leads to Israel blessing Joseph's sons, as seen in Genesis 48:9, which is an important moment in the biblical narrative, highlighting God's promise to the patriarchs and their descendants, as mentioned in Genesis 12:2-3 and Genesis 15:5.

How does this verse relate to the broader story of Joseph and his family?

This verse is part of the larger story of Joseph's life, which is characterized by God's providence and faithfulness, as seen in Genesis 37:1-36 and Genesis 50:20, demonstrating how God works through the lives of His people to accomplish His purposes.

What can we learn from Israel's interaction with his grandchildren in this verse?

We can learn about the importance of family and the value of blessing and praying for our loved ones, as Israel does for his grandchildren, which is a theme that is also seen in other biblical accounts, such as Genesis 27:1-40 and Genesis 49:1-33.

Reflection Questions

  1. What can I learn from Israel's curiosity about his grandchildren, and how can I apply that to my own relationships?
  2. How does this verse encourage me to prioritize family and to seek God's blessing for my loved ones?
  3. In what ways can I, like Israel, trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even in difficult or uncertain circumstances?
  4. What role does faith play in this verse, and how can I grow in my own faith as I reflect on this story?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 48:8

And Israel beheld Joseph's sons,.... Ephraim and Manasseh, of whom he had been speaking as if they were absent, and he might not know until now that they were present, for his eyes were dim that he

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 48:8

And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 48:8

For Jacob’ s eyes were dim through age and infirmity, as is observed , and therefore he could not distinctly discern them.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 48:8

Genesis 48:8 And Israel beheld Joseph’ s sons, and said, Who [are] these?Ver. 8. Who are these?] Here Jacob, seeing Joseph’ s two sons, and now first understanding who they were, breaks off his speech to Joseph, till the two last verses of the chapter, and starts blessing his sons; teaching us to be "ready to every good word and work," laying hold of every hint that God puts into our hands, accounting it a mercy that we may have opportunity.

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 48:8

(8) Who are these?—This question is asked as the solemn turning of the discourse to the young men who were now to be invested with the patriarchal rank. They were at this time about eighteen or twenty years of age.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 48:8

Verse 8. Who are these?] At Genesis 48:10 it is said, that Jacob's eyes were dim for age, that he could not see - could not discern any object unless it were near him; therefore, though he saw Ephraim and Manasseh, yet he could not distinguish them till they were brought nigh unto him.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 48:8

8. And Israel] The narrative resumes the thread which was interrupted at Genesis 48:3 by the insertion of the P version. The incident about to be described was regarded as of national significance. Of the two divisions of Joseph, the younger one became the more powerful. The blessing of Jacob implies the ratification of the relation of the two new tribes to the older ones and to each other. beheld … Who are these?] Jacob enquires as if he had not before seen the sons of Joseph. Jacob was in Goshen: Joseph and his sons lived not far off. It is possible the question is due to the old man’s blindness (Genesis 48:10). He discerned faintly that there were two other persons with Joseph. But it is more probable that this story stands by itself, and that it assumes that Jacob had not before met Joseph’s sons.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 48:8

8-13. “Israel groped to embrace the children whom his dim eyes could not see, and Joseph placed them between his knees, and afterwards withdrew them (Genesis 5:12,) to present them in the order of
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