John Calvin Commentary Genesis 48:8

"And Israel beheld Joseph`s sons, and said, Who are these?" — Genesis 48:8 (ASV)

And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons. I have no doubt that he had inquired concerning the youths before he called them his heirs. But in the narration of Moses there is a hysteron proteron. And in the answer of Joseph we observe, what we have elsewhere alluded to, that the fruit of the womb is not born by chance, but is to be reckoned among the precious gifts of God.

This confession indeed finds a ready utterance from the tongues of all; but there are few who heartily acknowledge that their seed has been given them by God. And for this reason, a large proportion of humankind’s offspring becomes continually more and more degenerate, because the ingratitude of the world renders it unable to perceive the effect of the blessings of God.

We must now briefly consider the design of Moses, which was to show that a solemn symbol was interposed by which the adoption might be ratified. Jacob puts his hands upon his grandsons; for what purpose? Truly, to prove that he gave them a place among his sons, and thus constitutes Joseph, who was one, into two chiefs.

For this was not his wish as a private person, nor was it merely in keeping with the way fathers and grandfathers are accustomed to pray for prosperity for their descendants; rather, a divine authority suggested it, as was afterwards proved by the event. Therefore, he commands them to be brought near to him, that he might confer on them a new honor, as if he had been appointed the dispenser of it by the Lord; and Joseph, on the other hand, begins with adoration, giving thanks to God.