Before Jacob blesses his own sons, he blesses the two sons of Joseph. Advanced age plus debilitating illness indicate that Jacob is near death. In a bedside conversation he reminds Joseph of God’s earlier workings in his own life (48:3–4; cf. 35:11–12). Jacob refers to Ephraim, then Manasseh (48:5), reversing the order of verse 1. This anticipates the reversal of order that will be spelled out later in the chapter. Jacob will adopt these two sons, which explains why Manasseh and Ephraim are reckoned as sons of Jacob. Jacob’s eyes may be failing, but his spiritual insight is not. Joseph lines up Manasseh, the firstborn, opposite Jacob’s right hand, and Eph…