THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Observe this elderly man as he eagerly rushes to bless the sons of Joseph. Joseph brought them close, and he embraced them with warmth and affection.
Genesis 48:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
For Israel's eyes were dim by reason of his great age, and he could not see clearly. And when they were brought to him, he kissed and embraced them,
וְעֵינֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ כָּבְד֣וּ מִזֹּ֔קֶן לֹ֥א יוּכַ֖ל לִרְא֑וֹת וַיַּגֵּ֤שׁ אֹתָם֙ אֵלָ֔יו וַיִּשַּׁ֥ק לָהֶ֖ם וַיְחַבֵּ֥ק לָהֶֽם׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyrill of Alexandria
The young men arrived, and the elder inquired whose they were. Joseph replied, "These are my two sons." When they were presented to him and drew near, he honored them with affection and embraces. Do you grasp, then, how we, who might be regarded as unknown to God the Father, become recognized and beloved in Christ? He graciously welcomes us, as the Son affirms our connection with Him, thus honoring us with His love and inviting us into a profound mental and spiritual communion. The representations of love, vividly illustrated by the embrace, and of unity, are perfectly depicted in this imagery. Hence, the wise Apostle Paul also writes in his letter to the believers in Christ, stating that now "those who were once far off have become near" (Eph.
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2:13), clearly referencing the moment Christ brought us close, and further declaring: "Now having known God, or rather been known by God" (Gal. 4:9). God the Father acknowledges and recognizes only those who share a spiritual bond with the Son and who have been rejuvenated through Him in their spiritual rebirth, just as He distinguished those marked by the blood of the lamb in Egypt, proclaiming: "And I will see the blood, and I will pass over you, and there shall be no destructive plague among you when I smite the land of Egypt" (Ex. 12:13).
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 27:27He came near, and kissed him. And immediately as he smelled the fragrant smell of his garments, blessing him, he said: Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a plentiful field, which the Lord hath blessed.
- Gen 27:1Now Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, and he could not see: and he called Esau, his elder son, and said to him: My son? And he answered: Here I am.
- Isa 6:10Blind the heart of this people, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes: lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.
- Gen 45:15And Joseph kissed all his brethren, and wept upon every one of them: after which they were emboldened to speak to him.
- Isa 59:1Behold the hand of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save, neither is his ear heavy that it cannot hear.
- 1 Sam 4:15Now Heli was ninety and eight years old, and his eyes were dim, and he could not see.
- 1 Sam 3:2And it came to pass one day when Heli lay in his place, and his eyes were grown dim, that he could not see:
- Gen 31:55But Laban arose in the night, and kissed his sons and daughters, and blessed them: and returned to his place.