They are to be called by my name

and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.

Let their descendants be numerous on the earth!"

17Joseph thought that his father had made a mistake in laying his right hand on Ephraim's head, so he took his father's hand to shift it from Ephraim's to Manasseh's. 18"Not so, my father," he said, "for this firstborn, lay your right hand on his head."

19But his father refused him. "I know this, my son," he retorted, "I know that from him also will come a nation and he too will become great. Yet his younger brother will surpass him, and his descendants will be a whole host of nations." 20Then he blessed them that day and said,

"When they want to bless anyone in Israel,

they will use your names[384], saying:

"May God liken you to Ephraim and Manasseh!"

Thus he placed Ephraim above Manasseh.

21Israel then said to Joseph: "My days are numbered, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. 22 And to thee, besides what thy brethren shall receive, I give the mountainside,385 which I conquered from the Amorites with my sword and bow."

The Future of the Sons of Jacob in Their Father's Predictions

49 And Jacob called his sons together, and said, "Come together round about me, and I will tell you what is in store for you in the days to come.

2 Having gathered together, sons of Jacob, hearken,

listen to your father Israel!

3Reuben, my firstborn, my strength,

the first fruit of my maturity,

In your honor and power you are above your brethren!

4You are irrepressible, like the element of water,

but know that you will no longer be the first[387],

if thou hast laid down on thy father's marriage bed

and he defiled it.