Genesis 48:16
New International Version
the Angel who has delivered me from all harm —may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth.”

New Living Translation
the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may he bless these boys. May they preserve my name and the names of Abraham and Isaac. And may their descendants multiply greatly throughout the earth.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

New American Standard Bible
The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the boys; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

NASB 1995
The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

NASB 1977
The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

Legacy Standard Bible
The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless these boys; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

Amplified Bible
The Angel [that is, the LORD Himself] who has redeemed me [continually] from all evil, Bless the boys; And may my name live on in them [may they be worthy of having their names linked with mine], And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a [great] multitude in the midst of the earth.”

Christian Standard Bible
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 to be numerous within the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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 to be numerous within the land.

American Standard Version
the angel who hath 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.

Contemporary English Version
and his angel has kept me safe. Now I pray that he will bless these boys and that my name and the names of Abraham and Isaac will live on because of them. I ask God to give them many children and many descendants as well.

English Revised Version
the angel which hath 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
may the Messenger, who has rescued me from all evil, bless these boys. May they be called by my name and by the names of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac. May they have many children on the earth."

Good News Translation
May the angel, who has rescued me from all harm, bless them! May my name and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac live on through these boys! May they have many children, many descendants!"

International Standard Version
the angel who has been rescuing me from all sorts of evil, bless these young men. May my name continue to live on within them, including the names of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a vast multitude throughout the earth."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
the Angel who has protected me from all harm--bless these boys. May my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. May they grow into a multitude on the earth."

New Heart English Bible
the Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys. And may my name be carried on in them, and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. And may they grow into a multitude upon the earth."

Webster's Bible Translation
The angel who hath 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.

World English Bible
the angel who has 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. Let them grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the Messenger who is redeeming me from all evil blesses the youths, and my name is called on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and they increase into a multitude in the midst of the land.”

Young's Literal Translation
the Messenger who is redeeming me from all evil doth bless the youths, and my name is called upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and they increase into a multitude in the midst of the land.'

Smith's Literal Translation
The messenger redeeming me from all evil, shall bless the youths; and my name shall be called upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaak and they shall be increased into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The angel that delivereth me from all evils, bless these boys: and let my name be called upon them, and the names of my fathers Abraham, and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
the Angel, who rescues me from all evils: bless these boys. And let my name be invoked over them, and also the names of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac. And may they increase into a multitude across the earth.”

New American Bible
The angel who has delivered me from all harm, bless these boys That in them my name be recalled, and the names of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, And they may become teeming multitudes upon the earth!”

New Revised Standard Version
the angel who has redeemed me from all harm, bless the boys; and in them let my name be perpetuated, and the name of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude on the earth.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The angel who has delivered me from all evil, bless the lads; and let them bear my name and the names of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow and multiply in the midst of the earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The Messenger who has delivered me from every evil, will bless the boys, and my name will be called in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and they shall grow and they shall multiply within the Earth.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
the angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the angel who delivers me from all evils, bless these boys, and my name shall be called upon them, and the name of my fathers, Abraam and Isaac; and let them be increased to a great multitude on the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
15Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 16the 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.” 17When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.…

Cross References
Genesis 28:15
Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 31:11-13
In that dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Here I am.’ / ‘Look up,’ he said, ‘and see that all the males that are mating with the flock are streaked, spotted, or speckled; for I have seen all that Laban has done to you. / I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’”

Genesis 32:24-30
So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak. / When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled. / Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” ...

Genesis 35:3
Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”

Genesis 46:3-4
“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. / I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

Exodus 23:20-23
Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. / Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him. / But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. ...

Exodus 14:19
And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them,

Numbers 20:16
and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.

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.

Hosea 12:4-5
Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there— / the LORD God of Hosts, the LORD is His name of renown.

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 91:11
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Matthew 18:10
See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.

Matthew 28:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Luke 1:19
“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.


Treasury of Scripture

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 middle of the earth.

Angel.

Genesis 16:7-13
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur…

Genesis 28:15
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Genesis 31:11-13
And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I…

redeemed.

Psalm 34:2
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

John 17:15
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

my name.

Genesis 48:5
And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.

Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Deuteronomy 28:10
And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.

grow into.

Genesis 1:21,22
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good…

Numbers 1:46
Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

Numbers 26:34,37
These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred…

A multitude.

Genesis 49:22
Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

Exodus 1:7
And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Numbers 26:28-37
The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim…

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Genesis 48
1. Joseph with his sons visits his sick father.
2. Jacob strengthens himself to bless them.
3. He repeats God's promise.
5. He takes Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons.
7. He tells Joseph of his mother's grave.
8. He blesses Ephraim and Manasseh.
17. He prefers the younger before the elder.
21. He prophesies their return to Canaan.














the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm
This phrase refers to the divine presence that Jacob acknowledges as his protector throughout his life. The term "Angel" here is often understood as a theophany, a manifestation of God Himself, rather than a mere angelic being. The Hebrew word for "redeemed" is "ga'al," which implies a kinsman-redeemer, someone who rescues or delivers. This reflects the covenant relationship God had with Jacob, akin to the role of Christ as the Redeemer in the New Testament. Historically, Jacob's life was fraught with challenges, yet he recognizes God's hand in delivering him from danger, emphasizing God's faithfulness and providence.

may He bless these boys
Jacob invokes a blessing upon Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. The act of blessing is significant in Hebrew culture, often conveying not just well-wishes but invoking God's favor and covenant promises. The Hebrew word for "bless" is "barak," which means to kneel, suggesting an act of worship and submission to God's will. This blessing is not just a paternal wish but a prophetic declaration, aligning with God's promises to Abraham and Isaac.

May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac
Jacob desires that Ephraim and Manasseh be identified with the covenant lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and himself. This is a profound statement of inclusion into the covenant promises given to the patriarchs. The phrase "called by my name" signifies adoption into the family line, ensuring that Joseph's sons partake in the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. This reflects the continuity of God's promises and the importance of generational faithfulness.

and may they multiply greatly upon the earth
This part of the blessing echoes God's original command to Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28) and His promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). The Hebrew word for "multiply" is "rabah," which means to increase or become numerous. This blessing is both a prayer for physical prosperity and a spiritual mandate, emphasizing the growth and expansion of God's people. Historically, Ephraim and Manasseh did become significant tribes in Israel, fulfilling this prophetic blessing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the Angel
הַמַּלְאָךְ֩ (ham·mal·’āḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

who has redeemed
הַגֹּאֵ֨ל (hag·gō·’êl)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman

me
אֹתִ֜י (’ō·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

from all
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

harm—
רָ֗ע (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

may He bless
יְבָרֵךְ֮ (yə·ḇā·rêḵ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

these boys.
הַנְּעָרִים֒ (han·nə·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

And may they be called
וְיִקָּרֵ֤א (wə·yiq·qā·rê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

by my name
שְׁמִ֔י (šə·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

and the names
וְשֵׁ֥ם (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of my fathers
אֲבֹתַ֖י (’ă·ḇō·ṯay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

Abraham
אַבְרָהָ֣ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

and Isaac,
וְיִצְחָ֑ק (wə·yiṣ·ḥāq)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

and may they grow
וְיִדְגּ֥וּ (wə·yiḏ·gū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1711: To spawn, become numerous

into a multitude
לָרֹ֖ב (lā·rōḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

upon
בְּקֶ֥רֶב (bə·qe·reḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

the earth.”
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Law: Genesis 48:16 The angel who has redeemed me (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 48:15
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