Genesis 48:16
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
Genesis 48:16
Jacob includes “The Angel which redeemed me from all evil” in his blessing. The language blends Angel of the LORD with a personal sense of divine rescue, possibly Christophany in the Christian reading. He blesses the youths and prays God’s blessing upon them, invoking the names of Abraham and Isaac, and prays for their growth into a multitude. This is a high theological moment: blessing is not merely paternal but covenantal, invoking redemptive memory and divine protection.
This verse emphasizes God as Redeemer and Protector, highlighting divine salvation as a present reality and future hope. The blessing extends the blessing of the patriarchs, while the blessing itself becomes a vehicle for divine multiplication. It captures the movement of redemption from individuals to a nation, and sets the tone for the expansive, redemptive arc of Scripture.
When you bless others, remind them of God’s redemptive work in your life. Pray blessings that include protection, provision, and growth in God’s purposes. In your family or community, cultivate a culture of blessing that speaks not only to personal success but to spiritual lineage and multiplication—encourage others to grow into a “multitude” of faithful followers.
Cross-References: Genesis 22:15-18; Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 12:3; Luke 1:68-69