And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, bore to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that Manasseh and Ephraim were born in Egypt, not in Canaan, distinguishing them from the "souls that came out of Jacob's loins" who originated from Canaan. This detail is crucial for understanding how the total count of seventy souls for Jacob's household is reached, as these Egyptian-born grandchildren are counted as part of the expanding family there.
And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, bore to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jacob and his entire family are settling into Egypt, this verse clarifies that Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were born before the family arrived. This detail is important because it means they are counted among the seventy souls who came with Jacob, reinforcing their place as foundational members of the growing nation of Israel in Egypt.
Joseph's life in Egypt takes a significant turn as he starts a family. This verse marks a crucial step in God's long-term plan, even in a foreign land.
Genesis 46:20 tells us that Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, born to him by Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. This is important for several reasons:
Divine Providence at Work
Even though Joseph was far from his homeland and family, God was at work, establishing him and giving him a family. This shows that God's purposes don't stop because of our circumstances.
Laying the Foundation
These two sons would later become the ancestors of two of the largest tribes of Israel. God's plan was unfolding through Joseph's lineage, even while the family was living in Egypt, a place that would eventually hold them captive.
Integration into the Land
Asenath's father, Potiphera, was a priest of On. This detail suggests Joseph was integrated into Egyptian society at a significant level, marrying into a prominent family. Yet, his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, would be raised to become part of the people of Israel.
The names Manasseh and Ephraim aren't just labels; they carry deep meaning that reflects God's faithfulness and Joseph's own spiritual journey.
The names Manasseh and Ephraim hold profound significance:
Manasseh: 'God Has Made Me Forget'
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Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh, which means 'God has made me forget.' This reflects his healing from the bitterness of his past suffering – his betrayal by his brothers, his enslavement, and his unjust imprisonment. He acknowledges that it is God who has brought him comfort and allowed him to move forward.
Ephraim: 'Fruitful'
His second son he named Ephraim, meaning 'fruitful.' This name speaks to Joseph's hope and belief in God's continued blessing and multiplication, not just for his own family, but for the entire lineage of Israel, even while they are in Egypt. It points to a future of growth and abundance.
Acknowledging Divine Sovereignty
Together, these names show a powerful testimony of faith. Joseph doesn't claim his own strength for forgetting his troubles or for his prosperity. He explicitly attributes both to God's action ('God has made me...'). This is a vital reminder that our healing, our success, and our future are ultimately gifts from God.
Understand the original words
Mitsrayim · Hebrew Proper Noun
The historical and geographic location where the Israelites were eventually enslaved but also where God demonstrated His power through the Exodus; it often serves as a symbol of the world or bondage in later biblical theology.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
A person who mediates between God and the people, performing sacrifices and maintaining the holiness of sacred spaces; in the ancient world, this office often carried significant political and religious authority.
This verse highlights the establishment of Joseph's Egyptian family before the larger clan of Jacob arrives, showing God's protective hand even before the full migration.
c. 1700 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Joseph, son of Jacob, is sold by his brothers into slavery, eventually rising to a position of power in Egypt.
c. 1700-1650 BC
Joseph's rise to power in Egypt
Through divine providence, Joseph interprets dreams and becomes second-in-command to Pharaoh, managing Egypt's resources during a famine.
c. 1650 BC— this verse
Joseph's sons Manasseh and Ephraim born
During his time in Egypt, Joseph marries Asenath and fathers two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, before his family arrives.
c. 1650 BC
Jacob's family migrates to Egypt
Jacob and his entire household, numbering around 70 people, move from Canaan to Egypt to escape the famine, settling in the land of Goshen.
This passage introduces Manasseh and Ephraim as Joseph's sons born in Egypt before Jacob's arrival, setting the stage for their significance within the nation.
Exodus 1:1-5This passage lists the descendants of Jacob who came to Egypt, directly referencing the growth and inclusion of Joseph's sons as part of the growing Israelite nation.
Numbers 26:28-37This chapter provides the census of the descendants of Israel, detailing the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim and highlighting their importance and inheritance in the land of Canaan.
1 Chronicles 7:14-20This passage offers another account of Joseph's descendants, including Manasseh and Ephraim, and elaborates on their lineage, further emphasizing their place in Israel's history.
Matthew 1:2-3This genealogical record in the New Testament shows how Manasseh and Ephraim are included in the lineage leading to Jesus Christ, demonstrating their enduring significance across biblical history.
clarkeGenesis 46:20: "And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him."
Unto Joseph - were born Manasseh and Ephraim - There is a remarkable addition here in the Septuagint, which must be noticed: Εγενοντο δε υἱοι Μανασση, οὑς ετεκεν αυτῳ ἡ παλλακη ἡ Συρα, τον Μαχιρ· Μαχιρ δε εγεννησε τον Γαλααδ. Υἱοι δε Εφραιμ αδελφου Μανασσῃ, Σουταλααμ και Τααμ. Υἱοι δε Σουταλααμ, Εδεμ· These were the sons of Manasseh w…
calvinGenesis 46:1-34: "And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac."
- Et dixit Deus ad Israel in visi onibus noctis, dixit inquam, Jahacob Jahacob. Ille respondit, Ecce, adsum.
3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
- Et dixit, Ego sum Deus, Deus patris tui: ne timeas descendere in Aegyptum: quia in gentem magnam ponam to ibi…
This verse highlights that Manasseh and Ephraim were born in Egypt, not in Canaan, distinguishing them from the "souls that came out of Jacob's loins" who originated from Canaan. This detail is crucial for understanding how the total count of seventy souls for Jacob's household is reached, as these Egyptian-born grandchildren are counted as part of the expanding family there.
As Jacob and his entire family are settling into Egypt, this verse clarifies that Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were born before the family arrived. This detail is important because it means they are counted among the seventy souls who came with Jacob, reinforcing their place as foundational members of the growing nation of Israel in Egypt.
As Jacob and his entire family are settling into Egypt, this verse clarifies that Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were born before the family arrived. This detail is important because it means they are counted among the seventy souls who came with Jacob, reinforcing their place as foundational members of the growing nation of Israel in Egypt.
"And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, bore to him." — This verse highlights that Manasseh and Ephraim were born in Egypt, not in Canaan, distinguishing them from the "souls that came out of Jacob's loins" who originated from Canaan. This detail is cru…
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Last reviewed October 2026