Genesis 50:23 (WEB)

Passage

Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.

Nearby Context

Genesis 50:21 Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.

Genesis 50:22 Joseph lived in Egypt, he, and his father’s house. Joseph lived one hundred ten years.

Genesis 50:23 Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.

Genesis 50:24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

Genesis 50:25 Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "joseph", "ephraim", "children", "third", "generation", "machir", and "manasseh". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "joseph" and "ephraim", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 22's "Joseph lived in Egypt he and his..." into verse 24's "Joseph said to his brothers I am...", so "joseph" and "ephraim" belong inside that flow. In Genesis context, the local focus is creation, human rebellion, covenant promise, and God's providence.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "joseph" and "ephraim" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.