Manasseh Son of Joseph in the Bible

Manasseh was Joseph’s firstborn son by Asenath and the older brother of Ephraim. He was born in Egypt before the famine, was counted by Jacob as one of his own sons, received Jacob’s left-hand blessing, and became ancestor of the tribe of Manasseh.

Genesis 41:51 connects Manasseh with Joseph’s statement that God had made him forget all his toil and his father’s household. The name is commonly explained as “causing to forget” or “one who makes forget.”

Genesis later shows Joseph recognizing his brothers, asking about Jacob, and weeping when they are reunited (Genesis 42:7–8; 43:27; 45:14–15). His naming speech cannot mean he permanently lost all memory of them. Understanding it as relief from past hardship fits the later story, but Genesis 41 does not explain his feelings in detail.

Manasseh’s father was Joseph and his mother was Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Pharaoh gave Asenath to Joseph as his wife.

Manasseh was older and is explicitly called Joseph’s firstborn. Ephraim was the second son and younger brother.

Jacob intentionally crossed his hands and placed his right hand on younger Ephraim. He said Ephraim would become greater, while also promising that Manasseh would become a people and would be great.

Manasseh did not receive the priority Joseph expected for the firstborn, but he was not rejected or left unblessed. Jacob blessed both brothers, counted both as sons, and explicitly foretold Manasseh’s greatness.

Yes, in the sense that Jacob counted both Egypt-born grandsons as his own sons for inheritance, like Reuben and Simeon (Genesis 48:5–6). Joshua 14:4 names them as two tribes, and 1 Chronicles 5:1–2 connects Joseph’s sons with the birthright Reuben lost.

Genesis 50:23 names Machir as Manasseh’s son, and Joshua 17:1 calls him the firstborn. Numbers 26:29–31 traces Machir to Gilead and then to Asriel among Gilead’s sons. First Chronicles 7:14 also names Asriel, but English translations present that compressed genealogy differently. It should not be used to claim that every named Manassite was Manasseh’s immediate child.

Machir was Manasseh’s son, and Gilead was Machir’s son. Their descendants became powerful Manassite clans associated especially with territory east of the Jordan.

The Bible does not name Manasseh’s wife. First Chronicles mentions an Aramean concubine in his genealogy but does not give her personal name.

The Bible does not record the age, death, or burial place of Joseph’s son Manasseh. He should not be confused with King Manasseh, whose reign and death belong centuries later.

Manasseh’s descendants received territory in two regions: some clans settled east of the Jordan in Gilead and Bashan, while the remaining clans received land west of the Jordan. “Half-tribe” describes this geographic division, not an inferior tribal status.

Manasseh held extensive territory on both sides of the Jordan, included the families of Machir and Gilead, preserved the inheritance of Zelophehad’s daughters, and produced leaders including Gideon from the Abiezrite clan.

No. Joseph’s son Manasseh lived in the Genesis period and became a tribal ancestor. King Manasseh was a much later king of Judah, son of Hezekiah, whose story appears in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33.

Yes. Revelation 7:6 names twelve thousand sealed from the tribe of Manasseh. Joseph is also named separately in that list.