Definition: And Joseph said unto his father, They [are] my sons, whom God hath given me in this [place]. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 48:9. It's a really important passage that sets up the story of Joseph! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Joseph is telling his father (God) that he has found four sons – Jacob, Benjamin, Caleb, and Joseph – and that God has chosen them to be with him. Let's unpack it a little more: “And Joseph said unto his father…” : This means Joseph was speaking to his father, who is essentially God. “…They [are] my sons, whom God hath given me in this place.” : This is the key part! "God hath given me" means that God has chosen these four sons for a specific purpose. It’s like saying “He has blessed them” or “He has brought them to this place.” “And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me…” : This is Joseph's command. He’s asking his father to take these four sons and bring them to him . What does this mean for the future? This verse is a huge foreshadowing! It tells us that Joseph will become incredibly important in the story of Israel. God wants to use these four sons – particularly Jacob and Joseph – to lead and shape the future of the nation. It's like saying, “This is where your destiny begins.” In short, it’s a declaration of blessing and a promise of future importance. Do you want me to go into more detail about any part of this verse, or would you like me to explain its significance in a different way?