Translation commentary on Genesis 48:9

They are my sons whom God has given me here: in 41.50-52 Joseph explains the names of his sons based on God’s acts in his life. For a similar response spoken by Jacob to Esau, see 33.5.

And he said: that is, “Jacob said.”

Bring them … bless them: bless refers to the blessing ritual that is best displayed in chapter 27. See there for translation of the term bless. There are five parts to the ritual of blessing here:
(1) Jacob’s demand (verse 9b),
(2) the identification of the ones to be blessed (verses 8-9a),
(3) the touch or kiss (verse 10b),
(4) the laying on of hands (verse 14), and
(5) the words of blessing (verses 15-16).

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

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