Genesis 48-50

 

Chapter 48

Chapter 48 describes the scene where Jacob, before blessing his twelve sons and their descendants, adopts and blesses Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. The patriarchal era that began with Abraham and continued through Isaac and Jacob is gradually coming to an end, and a new era centered on the twelve tribes of Israel begins. As a prelude to this transition, Jacob, on his deathbed, passes on the covenant to Joseph and then to Joseph’s two sons whom he adopts as his own (verses 1–7). By placing his hands on the heads of Manasseh and Ephraim and giving them the same covenantal blessing, he accepts them as members of the Israelite community (verses 8–22). Later, the tribe of Joseph does not exist as a single tribe; instead, the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim take its place.

Q1) What did the weakened Jacob first say to Joseph (verses 3–4)?

Q2) What was the final thing Jacob wanted to do before his death (verse 9)?

Q3) How did Jacob place his hands on Ephraim and Manasseh (verses 12–14)?

 

Chapter 49

Chapter 49 contains prophecies about the future, as well as blessings, curses, judgments, and promises recorded in Genesis. Jacob speaks about the future of his twelve sons, who will lead a new era in redemptive history. This suggests that just as God led the patriarchs, He will also guide the nation of Israel according to His plan and sovereign providence. Jacob gathers his sons for the last time and prophesies about their futures (verses 1–27). After completing all the prophecies, Jacob makes a final request to be buried not in Egypt but in the cave of Machpelah in Canaan, where his ancestors are buried, and then he finishes his life (verses 28–33).

Q1) What did Jacob say first as he blessed each of his children (verse 1)?

Q2) How does the Bible describe Jacob’s death (verse 29a, verse 33)?

Q3) What specific command did Jacob give to his twelve sons (verses 29b–32)?

 

Chapter 50

Chapter 50 concludes the book of Genesis. It records Jacob’s funeral, the unity of the Israelite community after his death, and the death of Joseph. After Jacob dies, Joseph buries him in the cave of Machpelah in Canaan (verses 1–14). After their father’s death, Joseph’s brothers fear his revenge, but Joseph forgives them once again with love (verses 15–21). Eventually, Joseph, the last patriarch, also comes to the end of his remarkable life, leaving instructions that when his descendants leave Egypt in the future, they should carry his bones and bury them in the land of his ancestors (verses 22–26). Thus, Genesis comes to a close, marking the end of the patriarchal era and pointing toward a new turning point—the Exodus.

Q1) How many days did the Egyptians mourn for Jacob (verse 3b)?

Q2) What attitude did Joseph’s brothers take as they still feared his revenge (verses 15–18)?

Q3) What did Joseph believe about God (verse 24)?