Blessings - we find so many of them in the book of Genesis.
What are they all about?
To answer this question, we will group the blessings into three categories - "election", "first born" and
"personal blessing" and explain their significance.
1) "Election" - YHVH's special blessing to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that their
"seed" will inherit the "promised land". (Gen 12:7)
2) "Personal Blessing." - A more general blessing of personal destiny, prosperity or power, given by the
father to his son(s). (Gen 27:27-29)
3) "First Born" Blessing
- The double portion, given by the father.
The "election" process ended when YHVH chose all of Jacob's children. Jacob,
towards the end of his life, bestowed "personal blessings" - blessings of fertility, prosperity and success - upon
all his children. (Gen 49:1-28) Before doing so Jacob blessed Joseph's two sons with the special
"first born" blessing as well.
Joseph's Blessing - Election or First Born?
Jacob bestowed special blessing upon Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (Genesis chapter 48)
To understand the significance of this decision, let's take a closer look at Jacob's opening statement when Joseph
arrived with his sons. (Gen 48:1-2)
"And Jacob said to Joseph: El Shaddai appeared unto me... in Canaan and blessed
me, and said unto me, Behold I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people; and
will give this land to your seed... for an everlasting possession." Gen 48:3-4
This blessing resembles the "election" blessing. It's almost exactly like the "election" blessing
that Isaac gave Jacob prior to his departure from Canaan (when running away from Esau)
"And Isaac said to Jacob: El Shaddai bless you, and make you fruitful, and
multiply you... and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your seed... that you may inherit the land... which ELOHIM
gave to Abraham." Gen 28:3-4
It's also almost the same as YHVH's official "election blessing" of Jacob upon his return to
Canaan, at Beth El.
"And ELOHIM said to Jacob; I Am El Shaddai, be fruitful and multiply, a nation
and a company of nations shall be of you... And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you and to your
seed after you will I give the land." Gen 35:11-12
Did Jacob confer the privilege of "election" upon Joseph, to the exclusion of his brothers?
No. Jacob did not bless Joseph with the "election." Rather, he informed Joseph
about the "election" to provide him with the necessary background to appreciate the blessing that he was about to receive
- "the blessing of first born".
"Now, your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt ... shall be mine; Ephraim
and Manasseh are to me just as Reuben and Simeon." Gen 48:5
Even though all the brothers were "chosen," Joseph attained a special status: he received a double portion
in relation to his brothers. Both his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were considered tribes and were to be granted
equal standing as Reuben and Simeon.
Before bestowing this blessing, Jacob reminded Joseph of the "election" process. (Gen 48:3-4)
Within that framework of the chosen family (Jacob's 12 sons) Joseph was awarded a double portion
(48:5-6) referred to by Moses in the book of Deuteronomy (21:17) as "the
law of the first born".
Thus Jacob neither 'chose' nor 'rejected' any of his children. He simply awarded Joseph with the
"first born portion" prior to blessing each of his other children with their unique "personal blessing" based on their individual
character and potential. (Gen 49:1-28)
"But children born to you after them shall be yours; their inheritance shall be included under
the name of their brothers." Gen 48:6
Should Joseph have any other children, their portion must be included within the portions of Manasseh
and Ephraim. As the family "first born" Joseph's two sons received a double portion, but no more, no matter how
many children may ultimately be born.
Joseph was awarded the "first born blessing" even though
Reuben was the firstborn, because he was the firstborn to Jacob's primary wife, Rachel, the one whom he had originally
intended to marry.
Jacob explained to Joseph shortly before his death that Rachel's burial on the roadside (rather
than in the "double cave") was due to unforeseen circumstances, and should not be interpreted as an indication of a lower
status. Despite Rachel's disrespectful burial, Jacob still considered her his 'primary' wife.
"When I was returning from Padan, Rachel died suddenly during that journey, while we were
still some distance from Ephrath, and thus even farther away from Hebron, and therefore I buried her on the road."
Gen 48:7
"And your servant, my father, said to us: As you know, my wife bore me two sons, but one is
gone." Gen 44:27
After awarding Joseph with the the blessing of the first born, Jacob continued
with a special blessing to Ephraim and Manasseh. Considering their new status as "tribes" and recognizing the fact that they
had grown up with no contact with their uncles and cousins, Jacob added a special blessing (Gen 48:8-20) to help facilitate their incorporation into the 'chosen family'.
"The angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads (help them
'blend in' with the chosen family) in order that my name and the name of my fathers be on them."
Gen 48:16
In order for Joseph's sons to be identified with Jacob's family name Jacob blessed them with special
Divine providence, the same providence that helped him survive his confrontation with Esau and Laban.
Jacob concluded his blessing to Joseph by reminding him that a time will come when the 'chosen family'
will return home.
"And Israel said to Joseph: I am about to die, but Elohim will be with you and return
you to the land of your fathers". Gen 48:21
As the family's "first born" Joseph assumed the responsibility to inform the next generation
of this Divine promise. Jacob didn't know how long it will be until YHVH will lead them back to Canaan.
Nevertheless, his children must transmit this tradition to their children, so that when the time comes, they will be prepared
to meet their destiny.
Joseph repeated this messege to his brothers and family on his deathbed, at the conclusion of the book
of Genesis.
"And Joseph told his brothers, behold I am about to die, and Elohim will surely remember you
and bring you up from this land to the land that He promised by oath to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
Gen 50:24
After the "first born" blessing has been awarded to Joseph, Jacob summoned all his sons together (Gen 49:1)
in order to give each his personal blessing. Although each son received what the Torah describes
as a "bracha/blessing" (49:28) not all these "blessings" appeared to be what one would call a 'blessing.'
Reuben was told: "You are unstable as water, you shall no longer excel." Gen
49:4
Simeon and Levi were rebuked: "Let not my person be included in their council... For
when angry they slay men, and when pleased they maim oxen. Cursed be their anger." Gen 49:5-7
On the other hand, Judah and Joseph were blessed with both prosperity and leadership (49:8-12 and 22-26). Other brothers also received blessings, albeit less promising than those of Joseph and Judah, but blessings nonetheless.
What is the meaning of these "blessings?" Did the brothers' individual traits predetermine the future
of their offspring?
Did Jacob's blessings imply predestination and negated the concept of "free will"?
When Jacob blessed his children, he assumed the role of father rather than prophet. As a parent, his
blessings reflected the potential he saw within each of his children.
Recognizing his children's varying strengths and weaknesses, Jacob blessed them according to their individual
capabilities and talents. Although these blessings did not predict their future, it guided and directd each son
in the proper direction.
Jacob did not intend his harsh words of Reuben, Simeon and Levi to result in ultimate condemnation.
Rather, he hoped that they would recognize their weaknesses and work towards improvement. As clearly demonstrated in
Levi's case, his rebuke later turned into blessing, becoming the priestly tribe of Israel. (Deut
33:8-11) Similarly, Judah and Joseph had the potential for leadership, which was
later recognized and was properly developed and implemented. Even the kings of the House of David had to be
constantly conscious of their conduct, to be worthy of their leadership. (Jeremiah 22:1-5)
Undoubtedly, Jacob's blessings contained additional prophetic and spiritual significance, yet they do not
negate the basic principle of "freedom of choice".
As we saw in Jacob's "blessings" to his sons, each "tribe" possessed its own unique character and singularity.
The composite of all these qualities could be harnessed towards a common good. The cooperation between the 'Twelve Tribes
of Israel' in fulfillment of their Divine and National goals would serve as an example for the gentile nations, thus
Israel would become a 'blessing' to all nations. (Gen 12:1-3)
