בראשית, פרק נ׳, פסוק כ״ג

Joseph’s final years in Egypt were defined by a long life and the profound privilege of watching his family grow. By witnessing the continuing generations of his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, he saw a living testament to the blessings they had received from his father, Jacob. The primary approach among commentators is that Joseph lived to see Ephraim’s fourth generation, meaning his great-grandsons [אבן עזרא, רבנו בחיי, רלב״ג, בכור שור, מחוקקי יהודה]. Some, however, interpret this as referring to the third generation, or grandsons [ביאור יש״ר, שד״ל].

A subtle comparison emerges between the two brothers' families, highlighting the direct fulfillment of Jacob’s earlier prophecy that the younger brother, Ephraim, would ultimately become greater. Most agree that Joseph saw a fourth generation from Ephraim, but only a third generation from his older son, Manasseh, because Ephraim’s family multiplied at a much faster rate [רשב״ם, ריב״א, רלב״ג, שד״ל, רש״ר הירש, הדר זקנים, בכור שור]. Differing perspectives on this family dynamic exist. A minority opinion argues the reverse, suggesting Joseph only saw grandsons from Ephraim but lived to see great-grandsons from Manasseh [חזקוני]. Another viewpoint proposes that because Ephraim was younger, his grandchildren were still infants in their mothers' arms, whereas Manasseh’s great-grandchildren were already old enough for Joseph to care for directly [ביאור יש״ר].

Within Manasseh's line, the family of Machir receives special attention to establish their distinguished lineage. While Manasseh had other sons, they were less prominent and eventually absorbed into Machir’s significant family [העמק דבר, ביאור יש״ר]. Since Machir himself only had one son, references to his children actually point to his grandsons [קונטרס חיבה יתירה]. Highlighting Machir, who would become the grandfather of the righteous daughters of Zelophehad, serves to show that the righteous Joseph raised equally righteous people in his home, who in turn brought forth wise and virtuous women [רבנו בחיי].

The imagery of these descendants being raised on Joseph’s knees paints a picture of deep family involvement. It signifies that Joseph received them immediately after birth, nurturing, raising, and educating them closely [אבן עזרא, רש״י, רלב״ג, שד״ל, ברכת אשר, מחוקקי יהודה]. Some explain that Joseph brought Manasseh’s children especially close, raising them on his lap out of an abundance of love for his firstborn [רבנו בחיי]. A unique interpretation suggests this physical closeness hints at a ritual role, proposing that Joseph served as the godfather for these descendants, holding them on his knees as they were circumcised [פרדס יוסף].