Genesis 48: Israel blesses Joseph's sons. Listen up, soldiers! In Genesis 48, Israel blesses Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh. He crossed his hands so that the younger son, Ephraim, would receive the greater blessing. Joseph protested, but Israel said that Ephraim's descendants would become a great nation. Then Jacob gave Joseph a portion of land and set him above his brothers. That's it for Genesis 48, so move out!