But his younger brother will become greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations.
Jacob is blessing Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Despite Manasseh being the firstborn, Jacob crosses his hands and gives the greater blessing to Ephraim, prophesying his future greatness.
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Fulfilled inThe tribe of Ephraim became one of the leading tribes in Israel, often representing the Northern Kingdom (e.g., Hosea 5:3, Isaiah 7:2).
Ephraim's descendants became prominent in the history of Israel, often symbolizing the Northern Kingdom, which was sometimes referred to as 'Ephraim' due to its dominance.
This prophecy illustrates the theme of God's sovereignty and the reversal of human expectations, as seen throughout the Bible where the younger is often chosen over the elder (e.g., Jacob over Esau).