Ephraim and Manasseh] Joseph names them otherwise, Manasseh, and Ephraim, according to their birth, (for Manasseh was the elder, vers 14) but Jacob putteth Ephraim first, according to the preeminence of his blessing: See vers. 19. are mine: as Reuben and Simeon] That is, as if they were not my grandchildren but immediate sonnes unto me, but two of mine eldest sons, as Reuben and Simeon are; and they shall be particular Tribes, Numbers 1:32. as none of the children of mine other sonnes shall be, and shall have their distinct portion in the Land of Canaan: and so in them two thou shalt have a double portion, and therewith the prerogative of the birthright, which Reuben by defiling his fathers bed hath forfeited, 1 Chronicles 5:1. this double portion (as many other things forementioned) being in practice among the Patriarchs before Moses his time, was afterwards put into a law, Deuteronomy 21:17.