Bible Strands
Genesis 48:10
Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Israel speaks to Joseph while Joseph presents his two sons in Egypt. The moment occurs immediately after Joseph identifies the boys as gifts from God and Jacob requests they be brought forward for blessing.
The words — כָּבְדוּ (ka.ve.Du) means "they were heavy," describing the physical burden of Israel’s failing eyesight. וַיַּגֵּשׁ (va/yi.gesh) translates literally as "and he brought near," marking Joseph’s action of presenting his sons.
The thread — The description of age-related vision loss parallels Isaac’s weakened sight in Genesis 27:1 before he blesses his sons. The familial blessing custom appears again in Genesis 31:55.
Why it lands — The text records physical decline alongside divine blessing without romanticizing the father’s condition. It requires the reader to observe how God’s promises advance through vulnerable human instruments.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
Cross-references
- Genesis 27:1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” Esau replied.
- Genesis 27:27 So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said: “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.
- Genesis 31:55 Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then he left to return home.
- Genesis 45:15 Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.
- 1 Samuel 3:2 And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room.
- 1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see.
- 1 Kings 19:20 So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?”
- Isaiah 6:10 Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
- Isaiah 59:1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.