When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, “Who are these?”
Jacob is near death in Egypt when Joseph brings him two sons born there to an Egyptian mother. The old man's eyes are too dim to make the boys out, so he asks who they are — and the answer will decide whether two children of Egypt can belong to Abraham's family.
Eyes That Fail, Sight That Sharpens
The question is not a test. Jacob cannot make the boys out. One writer sets that failing eyesight beside the way Jacob had lived his earlier years.
F. B. HoleWhen Rachel died, Jacob was still at full strength. Now his natural strength was gone and his eyes were dim, so that he could not even make out the sons of Joseph. In his strong days he had too often walked by the sight of his own eyes. Now at the end he begins to walk and act by faith, not by sight. At the same time he sees how very kind God has been to him.
From Jacob to Israel
The text changes the old man's name at this point. Up to here he has been looking back over his own history. From the question on, he becomes God's spokesman.
Hamilton SmithJacob has spoken up to now, but from this point in the story he speaks as Israel. Jacob, the man of nature, has looked back over the past and seen all his hopes end in death. Now, as Israel (the prince with God), he will declare the mind of God. As Jacob he has seen death ending the plans of man. As Israel he looks beyond death and unfolds the purpose of God (verses 8-11)... If heavenly things are opening to him, earthly things are fading from him.
Two Boys With No Legal Standing
By birth these boys had no place in Abraham's family line. One commentator explains why Jacob had to act before he could bless.
J. G. BellettHe then adopts the sons of Joseph. This was needed to give them the rights of children, because, in strict legal terms, they were strangers to Abraham. Their mother was an Egyptian. So they were the kind of children the law of that day would have sent away. But Jacob adopts them. He takes them into the family.
Claimed Before They Were Ever Seen
Jacob had already settled what he would do with these boys before he ever set eyes on them. The same writer draws out why that order matters.
J. G. BellettHe adopted them before he saw them. He gave them the place of the firstborn in the family while he had still not looked on them, for his eyes were dim with age. All the desire of his heart had gone out to them while they had never yet stood before him. So when the blessing does come, it comes with all its value. The warmth of Jacob's heart and tongue came with it. It is sealed, and sealed again, before Ephraim and Manasseh enjoy it. They are to know that their adoption had been their father's delightful plan and promise — the subject of his thoughts and love — before it was ever made known to them.
The Man Who Received Grace Now Hands It On
Jacob himself had received a blessing that was not his by natural right. Now, with failing eyes, he sees the same free favour reaching his grandsons.
The Christian's FriendAs Jacob received the blessing, so now he gives it to both the sons of Joseph. Jacob had no claim on God for a blessing. He was a fugitive from his elder brother Esau, to whom by natural right the blessing belonged. But God allows no rights. He acts according to the counsels of His own will... He could look at his grandchildren, and see the blessing of God coming on them from the grace of God, as freely as it had come on him.
Joseph Brings Them Near
Joseph does not leave his sons at a distance. He brings them to his father to be blessed. One writer sees a larger picture in that.
Truth & TestimonyJoseph is a wonderful picture of Christ, who brings His children into the Father's presence. It is the Father's delight to bless us.
Summary
- Dim. Jacob's eyes fail him. He cannot make out his own grandsons. Writers mark this as the moment he stops walking by sight and starts walking by faith.
- Israel. The name changes with the question. From here on, the man of nature gives way to the prince with God, who looks past death and speaks God's purpose.
- Strangers. Born in Egypt to an Egyptian mother, the two boys had no legal standing in Abraham's family. That is why adoption, not birth, had to come first.
- Chosen. Jacob adopted the boys before he ever saw them. Their place in the family was settled in his heart while they were still out of his sight.
- Passed on. The fugitive who had no claim of his own now hands the same free blessing to a second generation. Joseph brings the children near to receive it.