8.1.6 Gen. 48: Blessing for Ephraim and Manasseh

As in Gen. 27, the firstborn is disadvantaged here, but here with full intention. The powerful triadic blessing formula of Jacob demands deep respect. By the angel is meant Yahweh himself, who is called here for the first time in Scripture the “Redeemer”. In view of the crossed arms and the following “fisticuffs” of Joseph we must then rather smile. Background is the opinion that the blessing of the right hand was more valid than that of the left. The historical rise of the tribe of Ephraim went so far that, for example, in Hosea Ephraim can stand as a synonym for the entire northern kingdom.