Bible Strands
Genesis 48:16
the angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob speaks these words over Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, immediately after blessing Joseph and invoking the God who shepherded him. He addresses the boys directly while Joseph stands nearby to witness the blessing.
The words — The Hebrew הַגֹּאֵל (ha.go.'El) literally means "the redeemer" or "one who acts as a kinsman-redeemer," paired with מַלְאָךְ (mal'ak) for "angel." The text explicitly identifies this angel as the one who has delivered Jacob from all harm and petitions Him to bless the lads.
The thread — The theme of divine redemption appears in Psalms 34:22, which states the LORD redeems His servants, and the covenant lineage is reinforced in Genesis 28:13 where God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac. The transfer of patriarchal blessing to the next generation mirrors the arrangement in Genesis 48:5.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to note that Jacob attributes his deliverance to a specific angelic agent and explicitly transfers his family name and covenant inheritance to Joseph’s sons. It asks the reader to observe how patriarchal blessing functions as a formal act of lineage transfer rather than a spontaneous wish.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Psalms 34:22 The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
- Genesis 28:13 And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie.
- Genesis 48:5 And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.
- Genesis 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful vine—a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall.
- Numbers 26:28 The descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim.
- Joshua 17:17 So Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment,
- Psalms 121:7 The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.
- Acts 15:17 so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things
- 2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
- Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.