Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 48

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Makbilot Bamikra points out that the narrative of Yaakov blessing Yosef's children in a weakened and visually impaired state, parallels the story of Yitzchak’s blessings to Yaakov and Esav before his death. In both cases, the younger son receives the bigger blessing, but while Yitzchak gives this blessing unwittingly, Yaakov does so with full knowledge.

In ויחי יעקב - ויחי יוסף, Prof. Yonatan Grossman suggests that the parallels indicate that despite the price paid for his deceit, Yaakov does not regret his tricking of his father to receive the blessings.

Makbilot Bamikra points out that the blessing of fertility to Ephraim and Menashe parallels other commands to reproduces and promises of fertility that were given to humankind and to the Patriarchs at pivotal moments.
Concordance – However, by clicking on the word “וידגו” in Bereshit 48:16 and choosing concordance from the drop-down, one can see that this precise image (of teeming like fish) is not found elsewhere in Tanakh, and can be added to the images of the stars of the sky and the dust of the earth as another form of God’s promise of fertility.

Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 48/0