Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.
Here is, I. The blessing with which Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, which is the more remarkable because the apostle makes such particular mention of it (Heb 11:21), while he says nothing of the blessing which Jacob pronounced on the rest of his sons, though that also was done in faith. Observe here, 1. Jacob was blind for age, Gen 48:10.
Commenting on Genesis 48:8-22
Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age,.... Or "heavy" (p), that he could not lift them up easily and see clearly; his eyebrows hung over, his eyes were sunk in his head, and the humours pressed them through old age, that it was with difficulty he could perceive an object, at least not distinctly: so that he could not see; very plainly, otherwise...
Gen 48:8-11 The Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh. - Gen 48:8. Jacob now for the first time caught sight of Joseph’s sons, who had come with him, and inquired who they were; for “the eyes of Israel were heavy (dim) with age, so that he could not see well” (Gen 48:10).
Commenting on Genesis 48:8-11