Genesis 41:50Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is noted that he had two sons prior to the onset of the famine; he named the first one Manasseh, for he declared, "God hath made me forget all my troubles, and all my father's house." Observe the devotion of this man, recognizing that through his son's name, he acknowledges the significance of remembering all that has transpired, ensuring that his gratitude to God remains lasting. The child will understand through his own name the trials and perseverance that enabled the righteous one to achieve such great honor. "Because God has given me to forget all my troubles and all my father's house." What does he imply by "all my afflictions"?

Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, born to Aseneth, the daughter of the priest Petephrius. The name Manasseh signifies ‘forgetting the hardships encountered,’ while Ephraim means ‘to increase and add to the good.’ This can be understood as the divine offspring of the Church, from which the faithful called from among the Gentiles became children of God through their faith in Christ, who also leads them to forget their toil and suffering. It is written, ‘the former sorrows shall be forgotten, and shall not come upon the heart.’ Joy and praise will adorn their heads, and they will be surrounded by gladness (Isaiah 65:16-17). Illness and mourning will be lifted from them.

Regarding the upcoming inquiry into the topic of Joseph's sons, it is important to note that prior to the famine, when Jacob arrived in Egypt, Joseph had two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim. Manasseh received his name because Joseph had set aside his sorrows, as the Hebrew term for ‘forgetting’ is akin to ‘Manasseh.’ On the other hand, Ephraim was named to signify that God had made Joseph fruitful; the name translates to ‘increase’ in our language.