Genesis 48:8 to Genesis 50

[pebbles]

Before I start my comments on these chapters...here's a question....

How many children does Jacob actually has?

I'll write the answer in a few days.  Others are free to answer the question 

[George]

Before I start my comments on these chapters...here's a question....

How many children does Jacob actually has?

I'll write the answer in a few days.  Others are free to answer the question 

I'm thinking 13

[odhiambo]

I thought they were 13 also; the twelve sons from the four mothers of his children and the only daughter we know of, Dinah. But now I am not so sure on account of this:


"These were the sons that Leah had borne to Jacob in Paddan-Aram, besides his daughter Dinah; in all, his sons and daughters numbered thirty-three."
Genesis 46:15
New Jerusalem Bible

[pebbles]

Ding! Ding! Ding!   

Genesis 48:8.  I’m sure, most are familiar with the “12 tribes of Israel”  Well, in this chapter, Jacob (Israel) actually adopted Joseph’s two sons who are Manasseh and Ephraim.  Because of this, the 12 children of Jacob became 13! Instead of Joseph’s tribe… it became the tribe of Manasseh and the tribe of Ephraim. 

Here are the different versions of Genesis 48:12:

(CCB) Joseph lifted them from Israel’s knees…
(JB) Joseph took them from his lap…
(NIV) Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees

   According to JB commentary… “The children are placed in Jacob’s lap (lit. ‘between the knees’), evidently part of a rite of adoption….”

Here is the breakdown of the 13 children (13 tribes) of Israel:
1.   Rueben
2.   Simeon
3.   Levi
4.   Judah
5.   Issachar
6.   Zebulun
7.   Dan
8.   Naphtali
9.   Gad
10.   Asher
11.   Benjamin
12.   Mannaseh (son of Joseph)
13.   Ephraim (son of Joseph)

   (However, later on, it will be revealed as to how it became 12 tribes of Israel.     )

   Genesis 50:24-26.  Joseph predicted that the people of Israel will only stay in Egypt for a little while and then they are to claim the land promised to Abraham by God.  And Joseph asked that his bones be brought with them when this happens.