Joseph's children and grandfather

Genesis Chapter 48

This is a somewhat odd chapter – I’m sure there is some deep theological reason for this chapter.

Jacob blesses Joseph’s 2 sons born in Egypt after Joseph is made prime minister, Ephraim and Manasseh.

Jacob basically adopts them as his own sons, which means that they have a direct inheritance of the promise that God has given to Israel. 

Jacob makes it clear that to Joseph that any future sons would be Josephs and not his.

it is interesting later on in the Old Testament that Joseph does not inherit a tribal portion in the land when it is granted, but Ephraim and Manasseh do have lands granted.

He blesses Ephraim and Manasseh and crosses his arms to give the better blessing to the younger son – Jacob possibly did this deliberately, after all he was the younger brother.