C. F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch on Genesis 48:8-11

Gen 48:8-11

The Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh. - Gen 48:8. Jacob now for the first time caught sight of Joseph’s sons, who had come with him, and inquired who they were; for “the eyes of Israel were heavy (dim) with age, so that he could not see well” (Gen 48:10). The feeble old man, too, may not have seen the youths for some years, so that he did not recognise them again. On Joseph’s answering, “My sons whom God hath given he mere,” he replied, “Bring them to me then (קחם־נא), that I may bless them;” and he kissed and embraced them, when Joseph had brought them near, expressing his joy, that whereas he never expected to see Joseph’s face again, God had permitted him to see his seed. ראה for ראות, like עשׂו (Gen 31:28). עלּל: to decide; here, to judge, to think.