Genesis — Chapter 48

AND HE BLESSED JOSEPH AND SAID: GOD IN WHOSE SIGHT MY FATHERS ABRAHAM AND ISAAC DID WALK, GOD THAT HATH FED ME FROM MY YOUTH UNTIL THIS DAY. — Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh, placing the younger before the elder (vv. 17-19) — again the divine principle of election overriding natural precedence. Jacob deliberately crosses his hands to bless Ephraim (the younger) with the right hand and Manasseh with the left. Joseph protests; Jacob insists: \"his younger brother shall be greater than he.\" Type of the Church (younger in time) receiving the greater blessing over the Synagogue.