A Daily Genesis

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[B][COLOR=#ff0000]†. [/COLOR]Gen 48:8a . .When Israel[/B]

At this point, Genesis switches from Jacob's earthly name to his God-given name; viz: his spiritual name; probably because the first portion of the interview was personal business while the second half will be conducted in Jacob's official capacity as a prophet.

The Hebrew word for "prophet" is [I]nabiy' [/I](naw-bee') which just means an inspired man. Abel was a prophet (Luke 11:50-51) ...

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[B][COLOR=#ff0000]†.[/COLOR] Gen 48:5-6 . . Now, your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, shall be mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine no less than Reuben and Simeon. Progeny born to you after them shall be yours; but they shall be recorded under the names of their brothers in their inheritance.[/B]

Jacob adopted his own two grandsons Manasseh and Ephraim; thus instating them positionally equal to his twelve ...

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[B][COLOR=#ff0000]†.[/COLOR] Gen 48:1a . . Some time afterward, Joseph was told "Your father is ill"[/B]

The Hebrew word for "ill" is [I]chalah[/I] (khaw-law') and can mean not only sick, but also weak (Judg 16:17) sad (1Sam 22:8) suppliant (1Kgs 13:6) injured (1Kgs 22:34) in pain (Jer 4:31) drunk (Hos 7:5) and evil: as disaster or misfortune. (Ecc 5:13)

[B][COLOR=#ff0000]†.[/COLOR] Gen 48:1b . . So he took with him his two ...

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[/COLOR][B][COLOR=#ff0000]†.[/COLOR] Gen 47: 30b-31a . . He replied: I will do as you have spoken. And he said: Swear to me. And he swore to him.[/B]

Some Bible students construe Jesus' words at Matt 5:33-37 to mean that taking an oath is a sin. But that's not what he said at all. What he really said in that passage is that taking an oath sets you up for a fall because human beings cannot guarantee that unforeseen circumstances won't prevent them ...