Genesis 48:8

Genesis 48:8, in plain English

Jacob looks at Joseph's two sons and asks who they are. His eyesight is failing him, so he can't quite make them out, and he needs Joseph to introduce them.

Why it's here

This is a human moment—an old man with failing vision trying to see his grandsons clearly. It sets up the formal presentation that's about to happen. Jacob's question invites Joseph to present these boys properly.

Who's speaking

Jacob (called Israel here)

Where it sits in the story

The text keeps switching between calling him Jacob and Israel—his old name and his covenant name. As Jacob prepares to give the blessing, he's operating in his role as Israel, the father of the covenant people.

The scholarly reading

When Jacob sees Joseph's sons for the first time, he asks Joseph to identify them, indicating his poor eyesight and perhaps his need for Joseph to formally present them.

Language and setting

Jacob's impaired vision (mentioned explicitly in v. 10) is both literal and symbolic—he cannot see clearly, which necessitates Joseph's role as intermediary. The question 'Who are these?' is not merely ignorance; it is the formal opening of the adoption ritual. In ancient contexts, such formal presentation was necessary for legal and social recognition.

Voice

Jacob (referred to as Israel), asking Joseph

Significance

This question initiates the central ritual act of the chapter. By asking, Jacob creates the narrative space for Joseph to present his sons formally and for Jacob to act upon them as patriarch.

6Any children born to you after them shall be yours, and they shall be called by the names of their brothers in the territory they inherit.

7Now as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way in the land of Canaan, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).

8When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”

9Joseph said to his father, “They are the sons God has given me in this place.”

10Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.

Read all of Genesis 48 — Jacob blesses Joseph's sons with crossed hands — putting the younger ahead of the older. The pattern of God's upside-down choices continues.