Genesis 48:19 "Fullness of the Nations"

What follows is the prophecy of Ephraim (a son of Joseph) to become "the fullness of the nations" [Hebrew: ha-melo ha-goyim], frequently mistranslated as "multitude of nations". Compare Genesis 48:19 with Romans 11:12; 11:25; John 10:16; Luke 21:24.

English Translations:

Genesis 48:19 (Young's Literal Translation)
And his father refuseth, and saith, 'I have known, my son, I have known; he also becometh a people, and he also is great, and yet, his young brother is greater than he, and his seed is the fulness of the nations;'

Genesis 48:19 (The Scriptures '98 Version)
But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He also becomes a people, and he also is great. And yet, his younger brother is greater than he, and his seed is to become the completeness of the nations.

Genesis 48:19 (Darby Bible Translation)
But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know: he also will become a people, and he also will be great; but truly his younger brother will be greater than he; and his seed will become the fulness of nations.

Genesis 48:19 (Amplified Bible)
But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people and shall be great; but his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 48:19 (American King James Version)
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 48:19 (American Standard Version)
And his father refused, and said, I know it , my son, I know it . He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: howbeit his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 48:19 (New American Standard Version)
But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know; he also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 48:19 (Bible in Basic English)
But his father would not, saying, I am doing it on purpose, my son; he will certainly become a nation and a great one; but his younger brother will be greater than he, and his seed will become a great family of nations.

Genesis 48:19 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
But he refusing, said: I know, my son, I know: and this also shall become peoples, and shall be multiplied: but this younger brother shall be greater than he: and his seed shall grow into nations.

Genesis 48:19 (English Revised Version)
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: howbeit his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 48:19 (Webster's Bible Translation)
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it; he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 48:19 (World English Bible)
His father refused, and said, "I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his seed will become a multitude of nations."

SPANISH Translations:

Génesis 48:19 - Spanish: La Biblia de las Américas (©1997)
Mas su padre rehusó y dijo: Lo sé, hijo mío, lo sé; él también llegará a ser un pueblo, y él también será grande. Sin embargo, su hermano menor será más grande que él, y su descendencia llegará a ser multitud de naciones.

Génesis 48:19 - Spanish: La Nueva Biblia de los Hispanos (©2005)
Pero su padre rehusó y dijo: "Lo sé, hijo mío, lo sé. El también llegará a ser un pueblo, y él también será grande. Sin embargo, su hermano menor será más grande que él, y su descendencia llegará a ser multitud de naciones."

Other passages where the Hebrew word Melo [H4393] is used:

To better understand a Hebrew word, it sometimes helps to see how it is used in other passages.

Deuteronomy 33:16
With the choicest of the earth and all that fills [H4393] it, and the good pleasure of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let it come on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.

Psalm 24:1
The earth belongs to יהוה, And all that fills [H4393] it – The world and those who dwell in it.

Micah 1:2
Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all who are in it! [H4393] And let the Master יהוה be a witness against you – יהוה from His set-apart Hekal.

1 Samuel 28:20
And immediately Sha’ul fell on the ground, his complete [H4393] length, and greatly feared because of the words of Shemu’el. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.

Several more passages where H4393 is also used: Exodus 9:8; 16:32-33; Judges 6:38; Micah 1:2; Jeremiah 8:16; 47:2; Ezekiel 12:19; 19:7; 30:12; 32:15; 41:8; Amos 6:8.

Related Links:

JewsAndJoes.com