The Younger Before the Older

17When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it was displeasing in his eyes, and he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.

18And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”

19But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will become greater than he, and his offspring will become the fullness of nations.”

20So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh.’” And he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

21Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.”

22And I give you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.