ed and thirty; few and hard have been the years of my life. They do not compare with the years of my life of my ancestors during their long sojourn. (Gen 47:9)(534) Joseph made sure they settled nicely, and provided the household with food and supplies. Jacob lived in Egypt for seventeen more years, making him 147 years old.The time of Jacobs death was neigh. He called Joseph to him, and made him swear, by placing his hand under his thigh (testimony), to deal truthfully with him, and when he was dead, not to bury him in Egypt, but to do so in the burial place of his ancestors. Soon after, Joseph learned his father was ill. Joseph took his brothers Manasseh and Ephraim with him to see Jacob, and the sick, elderly man sat up in bed to see them. Jacob told Joseph that god came to him at Luz, and told him he would be fruitful and multiply, his numbers would be great, and he would get the land that was promised to him. Jacob said that Josephs two sons, who were born to him in Egypt, are now his, just as any other of his sons, but the children of Josephs children, shall belong to Joseph. Joseph brought Jacob his sons, and he blessed them. Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh, gathered around Jacob, and he blessed Joseph, and said, The god before whom my ancestors Abraham and Isaac walked, the god who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all harm, bless the boys; and in them let me name be perpetuated, and the name of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude on the earth. (Gen 48:15)(535) Joseph saw something wrong in that, in their gathering, Jacob put on hand on Manassehs head and one hand on Ephraims. Joseph, placing the hand on Ephraims head to Manassehs, said, Not so, my father! Since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head. (Gen 48:18)(536) Jacob acknowledged Joseph, saying that Manasseh shall become great indeed through his offspring, but Ephraim shall bec...
