Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 50:23

And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third [generation]: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph’s knees.

23. of the third generation ] Ephraim’s children “of the third generation” might mean his great-grandchildren; cf. Exo 34:7. But in Exo 20:5, Num 14:18, the third generation are the grandchildren, the grandparents being reckoned as the first. If this way of reckoning be here followed, Ephraim represents the first generation, and his grandchildren the third. This is also favoured by the next clause, which mentions Manasseh’s grand -children. Joseph, therefore, lived to see his great-grandchildren. On this token of blessing, see Psa 128:6; Pro 13:22; Pro 17:6.

Machir ] The name of one of the leading branches of the tribe of Manasseh; cf. Num 32:39; Deu 3:15; Jos 13:31; Jos 17:1; 1Ch 7:14. From these passages it appears that the family of Machir occupied Gilead: while in Jdg 5:14 Machir takes rank with the tribes of Israel.

upon Joseph’s knees ] A phrase denoting that Joseph, as head of the family, acknowledged and adopted the children. See note on Gen 30:3, and cf. Job 3:12, Isa 66:12, and Homer, Od. xix. 401.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 23. Were brought up upon Joseph’s knees.] They were educated by him, or under his direction; his sons and their children continuing to acknowledge him as patriarch, or head of the family, as long as he lived.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Of the third generation, reckoning from and after Ephraim, i.e., Ephraims grandchildrens children. So early did Ephraims privilege above Manasseh appear, and Jacobs blessing (Gen 48:19) take place.

The children of Machir, Heb. sons. For though he had but one son, viz. Gilead, by his first wife, yet he married a second wife, and by her had two other sons, 1Ch 7:16, which Joseph lived long enough to see. Or under the name of children his grandchildren also might be comprehended. So there is no need of that enallage of sons for one son which we meet with in other places.

Were brought up upon Josephs knees; laid upon Josephs lap or knees, where parents use ofttimes to take up and repose their infants, to express their love to them, and delight in them. And some observe, that it was an ancient custom in divers nations, that the infant, as soon as it was born, was laid upon the grandfathers knees. So it is an ellipsis, whereby one word is put for two, or under one verb. See more of this phrase on Gen 30:3; 48:12.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation,…. His great grandchildren’s children; and which shows, as most interpreters observe, that Jacob’s prediction, that Ephraim should be the greatest and most numerous, very early began to take place:

and the children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were brought up upon Joseph’s knees; Machir had but one son by his first wife, whose name was Gilead; but marrying a second wife, he had two sons, Peresh and Sheresh; see 1Ch 7:14 who might be born before the death of Joseph, and be said to be brought up upon his knees, being educated by him, and often took up in his lap, and dandled on his knees, as grandfathers, being fond of their grandchildren, are apt to do.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(23) The third generation.These would be Josephs great-grandchildren. Thus Eran, son of Shuthelah, son of Ephraim, was to be born in Josephs lifetime (Num. 26:35-36).

Were brought up . . . Heb., were born upon Josephs knees, that is, were adopted by him. (See Note on Gen. 30:3.) They would not form tribes, as this prerogative was reserved for the sons of Jacob (Gen. 48:5), but they would count as Josephs sons (Gen. 48:6), and form families.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

23. Ephraim’s children of the third generation That is, “his great great grandchildren (literally, the sons of the sons of the third generation, as Gesenius shows from Exo 20:5; Exo 34:7; but Furst and others understand the Hebrew to mean great grandchildren . ) He took upon his knees also his great grandchildren in the line of Manasseh . It was a serene and trustful old age . ” Newhall .

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments