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Genesis 48:4 - Divine promise: land, descendants forever

Genesis 48:4 - בראשית 48:4

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי הִנְנִי מַפְרְךָ וְהִרְבִּיתִךָ וּנְתַתִּיךָ לִקְהַל עַמִּים וְנָתַתִּי אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת לְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ אֲחֻזַּת עוֹלָם׃

English Translation

and said to me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.

Transliteration

Vayomer elay hineni mafrecha vehirbiticha unetaticha likhal amim venatati et-ha'aretz hazot lezar'acha achareicha achuzat olam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י הִנְנִ֤י מַפְרְךָ֙ וְהִרְבִּיתִ֔ךָ וּנְתַתִּ֖יךָ לִקְהַ֣ל עַמִּ֑ים וְנָ֨תַתִּ֜י אֶת־הָאָ֧רֶץ הַזֹּ֛את לְזַרְעֲךָ֥ אַחֲרֶ֖יךָ אֲחֻזַּ֥ת עוֹלָֽם׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י הִנְנִ֤י מַפְרְךָ֙ וְהִרְבִּיתִ֔ךָ וּנְתַתִּ֖יךָ לִקְהַ֣ל עַמִּ֑ים וְנָ֨תַתִּ֜י אֶת־הָאָ֧רֶץ הַזֹּ֛את לְזַרְעֲךָ֥ אַחֲרֶ֖יךָ אֲחֻזַּ֥ת עוֹלָֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 35:11-12) records Hashem's promise to Yaakov Avinu after his return to Eretz Yisrael. It echoes earlier blessings given to Avraham and Yitzchak, reinforcing the covenant between Hashem and the Avot. The promise includes three key elements: fertility, multiplication of descendants, and the eternal inheritance of Eretz Yisrael.

Analysis of the Blessing

  • "I will make thee fruitful" (הִנְנִי מַפְרְךָ): Rashi explains that this refers not just to physical offspring, but to spiritual fruitfulness - the propagation of Yaakov's righteous character through future generations (Rashi on Bereshit 35:11).
  • "Multiply thee" (וְהִרְבִּיתִךָ): The Ramban notes this implies both quantitative increase and qualitative greatness, as Yaakov's descendants would become numerous and significant among nations (Ramban on Bereshit 35:11).
  • "Multitude of people" (לִקְהַל עַמִּים): The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 82:4) interprets this as referring to the twelve tribes that would descend from Yaakov, each becoming a distinct nation within Klal Yisrael.

The Eternal Inheritance of Eretz Yisrael

The phrase "for an everlasting possession" (אֲחֻזַּת עוֹלָם) is particularly significant. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 11:1) derives from this that Eretz Yisrael was given to Am Yisrael permanently, not conditionally. The Sforno adds that this eternal promise applies even during periods of exile, as the land retains its sanctity and connection to the Jewish people (Sforno on Bereshit 35:12).

Yaakov's Unique Status

The Talmud (Pesachim 88a) notes that while similar promises were made to Avraham and Yitzchak, Yaakov is uniquely called "a multitude of peoples," reflecting how all future Jewish people would be called Bnei Yisrael (Children of Israel) after him. This establishes Yaakov as the primary patriarch whose name would define the Jewish nation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 13a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the covenant between God and Abraham, emphasizing the promise of land and descendants.
📖 Megillah 14a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the blessings and promises given to the patriarchs, particularly Abraham.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 48:4 mean when it says 'I will make thee fruitful and multiply thee'?
A: This verse is part of Jacob's blessing to Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Menashe. Rashi explains that this echoes God's original promise to Abraham (Genesis 17:6) about making his descendants numerous. The 'fruitfulness' refers both to physical descendants and spiritual growth, as the Jewish people would become a great nation.
Q: Why is the land promised as an 'everlasting possession' in Genesis 48:4?
A: The Torah emphasizes that the Land of Israel is an eternal inheritance for the Jewish people. Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that this promise applies in all times - even when Jews are exiled, the land remains their heritage. This forms the basis for the Jewish connection to Israel throughout history.
Q: How does Genesis 48:4 relate to the blessing we give children on Friday night?
A: The Friday night blessing for sons ('May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe') connects to this verse. The Midrash explains that Ephraim and Menashe grew up in Egypt yet remained righteous, showing the Jewish people can flourish spiritually even in exile - fulfilling the promise of being 'fruitful' in all circumstances.