Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 11:21

"By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff." — Hebrews 11:21 (ASV)

Jacob’s claim for inclusion in the list rests on his blessing of his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48). As with Isaac, the blessing went against the natural order of birth. In fact, when Jacob was dying, Joseph tried to have the major blessing given to Manasseh, the firstborn. But Jacob crossed his hands to pick out Ephraim as the greater. God is not bound by human rules like those that give pride and benefit of place to the firstborn. This incident, like the preceding one, again illustrates the theme of the patriarchal blessing with its fulfillment far distant. At the time the words were spoken, fulfillment could be known only by faith.

The author then adds a reference to a previous incident in which Jacob “worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff” . He speaks of Jacob as adopting a worshipful attitude as he blessed the sons of Joseph.