Ephraim’s Blessing Over Manasseh

Did you know that Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob, was not directly

counted among the 12 tribes of Israel? Instead, it was his sons—Ephraim who carried his

legacy. Let me tell you how that came to be. Jacob,

now an old man with failing eyesight, knew his days were numbered. He called for his

favorite son, Joseph, to bring his two sons close. These were the sons

of Rachel—Joseph’s children, Ephraim, the younger, and Manasseh,

the elder. Jacob wanted to bless them before he passed. As Joseph carefully

placed the boys before his father, Jacob did something surprising. He crossed his hands,