THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Observe this elderly man as he hastily moves to bestow blessings upon the children of Joseph. Joseph brought them close to him, and he received them with affection and warmth.
Genesis 48:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
He answered: They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said: Bring them to me, that I may bless them.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹסֵף֙ אֶל־אָבִ֔יו בָּנַ֣י הֵ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־נָֽתַן־לִ֥י אֱלֹהִ֖ים בָּזֶ֑ה וַיֹּאמַ֕ר קָֽחֶם־נָ֥א אֵלַ֖י וַאֲבָרֲכֵֽם׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyrill of Alexandria
The young men approached, and the elder inquired to whom they belonged. Joseph replied, "They are my two sons." When they were brought near to him, he embraced them warmly. Can you grasp how we, who are seemingly unknown to God the Father, find intimacy in Christ? He welcomes us with open arms, for the Son testifies to our connection with Him, bestowing upon us His love and inviting us into a profound mental and spiritual communion. The act of love is vividly illustrated in the embrace, while unity is expressed through the closeness shared. Thus, Paul wisely notes in his letter to the followers of Christ, stating that those who were once distant have now been brought near (Eph. 2:13), reflecting the power of Christ’s invitation.
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He also states: "Now that you have come to know God, or rather, to be known by God" (Gal. 4:9). The Father honors and acknowledges only those who share a spiritual bond with the Son and have received a divine rebirth through Him, much like the Israelites in Egypt were recognized by God when He declared: "When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt" (Ex. 12:13).
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 27:4Make me a savoury meat thereof, as thou knowest I like, and bring it that I may eat: and my soul may bless thee, before I die.
- Gen 33:5And lifting up his eyes, he saw the women and their children, and said: What mean these? And do they belong to thee? He answered: They are the children which God hath given to me, thy servant.
- Heb 11:21By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and adored the top of his rod.
- 1 Sam 2:20And Heli blessed Elcana and his wife: and he said to him: The Lord give thee seed of this woman, for the loan thou hast lent to the Lord. And they went to their own home.
- 1 Sam 2:21And the Lord visited Anna, and she conceived, and bore three sons, and two daughters: and the child Samuel became great before the Lord.
- Isa 56:3And let not the son of the stranger, that adhereth to the Lord, speak, saying: The Lord will divide and separate me from his people. And let not the eunuch say: Behold I am a dry tree.
- Isa 56:5I will give to them in my house, and within my walls, a place, and a name better than sons and daughters: I will give them an everlasting name which shall never perish.
- Gen 27:28God give thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, abundance of corn and wine.