Genesis 48:16
the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jacob identifies the divine being who redeemed him not just as an angel, but as a Redeemer, strongly implying this is Christ himself, the divine kinsman who rescues from ultimate evil. He then blesses his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, praying that this divine Redeemer will bless them and that they might carry not only Jacob's name but also the legacy of Abraham and Isaac, growing into a vast people.
Jacob, an old and dying man, calls for his favorite son Joseph and his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He blesses them, signifying their adoption as his own children and elevating them to the status of tribal leaders, a significant honor that Joseph initially finds confusing but ultimately accepts. This act sets the stage for the future prominence of Ephraim and Manasseh within the Israelite nation, even surpassing some of Jacob's own sons.
Jacob, facing his end, invokes a powerful figure: 'The Angel who has redeemed me.' Who is this divine rescuer, and what does it mean to be redeemed from 'all evil'?
Jacob identifies a specific angelic being as his Redeemer, a title he associates with God's saving power. The commentators overwhelmingly agree that this is not a created angel, but none other than the pre-incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ.
A Divine Redeemer
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Jacob doesn't just want his grandsons blessed; he wants them to carry on something vital. What is this legacy, and why is it so important to him?
Jacob's desire for his name, and the names of his fathers Abraham and Isaac, to be placed upon Ephraim and Manasseh is an act of adoption and a profound statement about covenantal identity.
The Weight of Names
Understand the original words
mal’āk · Hebrew Noun
A heavenly messenger or representative sent by God to act on His behalf. In this context, it is often understood as a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ or the Angel of the LORD.
gā’al · Hebrew Verb
To buy back, ransom, or liberate from captivity, bondage, or danger through the payment of a price or by a kinsman's intervention. It implies protection and deliverance from harm.
bārak · Hebrew Verb
To invoke divine favor, protection, and prosperity upon someone. It signifies the bestowal of power for success and the assurance of God’s presence.
rōb lā-rōb · Hebrew Noun/Adjective phrase
Refers to an abundant increase or a teeming mass of people. It signifies the fulfillment of the divine mandate to be fruitful and multiply.
Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons, particularly his strategic hand placement favoring Ephraim, highlights God's principle of choosing according to His sovereign will rather than natural birth order. This sets a precedent for future tribal leadership and God's dealings with Israel, emphasizing divine election over human expectation.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham Receives Covenant Promises
God establishes a foundational covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and a land. This promise is later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob.
c. 1750 BC
Jacob's Family Migrates to Egypt
Jacob and his entire family relocate to Egypt to escape famine, settling in the land of Goshen. They are initially welcomed but their growing numbers will eventually cause concern.
c. 1700 BC
Joseph Serves as Vizier of Egypt
Joseph, having been sold into slavery and miraculously risen to power, becomes the second-in-command of Egypt. This position allows him to provide for his family during the famine.
c. 1680 BC— this verse
Jacob's Deathbed Blessings
Jacob, old and near death in Egypt, adopts Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, as his own. He bestows a significant blessing upon them, crossing his hands to favor the younger Ephraim over the elder Manasseh.
This passage speaks of 'an angel' sent to guide the Israelites, who would speak with God's authority, strongly paralleling Jacob's reference to 'the Angel who has redeemed me.'
Isaiah 43:14This verse declares God as the 'Redeemer' and 'Holy One of Israel,' echoing Jacob's high claim for the Angel who redeemed him, a title that points to divine identity.
Malachi 3:1This prophecy names the 'Messenger of the covenant' who will come to the temple, linking the concept of a divine messenger with a redemptive mission, similar to Jacob's Angel.
1 Corinthians 10:4Paul refers to Christ as the 'rock' that followed Israel in the wilderness, identifying Jesus with the divine guide who led Jacob's ancestors, further clarifying the identity of Jacob's 'Angel.'
Matthew 1:21This verse states Jesus will 'save his people from their sins,' directly connecting the role of 'redeemer from evil' that Jacob attributed to the Angel with the mission of Christ.
bensonGenesis 48:16: "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."
Genesis 48:16 . The Angel which redeemed me — Not a created angel surely, but Christ, termed an angel, Exodus 23:20 , and the Angel of the covenant, Malachi 3:1 , and who was the conductor of Israel in the wilderness, 1 Corinthians 10:4-9 . Add to this, that this Angel is called J…
calvinGenesis 48:1-22: "And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim."
- Et nuntiavit ipsi Jahacob, et dixit, Ecce, filius tuus Joseph venit ad to. Et roboravit se Israel, et sedit super lectum.
3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
- Et dixit Jahacob ipsi Joseph, Deus omnipotens apparuit mihi in Luz in terra Chenaan, et benedixit…
Jacob identifies the divine being who redeemed him not just as an angel, but as a Redeemer, strongly implying this is Christ himself, the divine kinsman who rescues from ultimate evil. He then blesses his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, praying that this divine Redeemer will bless them and that they might carry not only Jacob's name but also the legacy of Abraham and Isaac, growing into a vast people.
Jacob, an old and dying man, calls for his favorite son Joseph and his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He blesses them, signifying their adoption as his own children and elevating them to the status of tribal leaders, a significant honor that Joseph initially finds confusing but ultimately accepts. This act sets the stage for the future prominence of Ephraim and Manasseh within the Israelite nation, even surpassing some of Jacob's own sons.
Jacob, an old and dying man, calls for his favorite son Joseph and his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He blesses them, signifying their adoption as his own children and elevating them to the status of tribal leaders, a significant honor that Joseph initially finds confusing but ultimately accepts. This act sets the stage for the future prominence of Ephraim and Manasseh within the Israelite nation, even surpassing some of Jacob's own sons.
"the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”" — Jacob identifies the divine being who redeemed him not just as an angel, but as a Redeemer, strongly implying this is Christ himself, the divine kinsman who rescues from ultimate evil. He then blesse…
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