Genesis 48:15 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And he blessed Joseph— Probably he might bless Joseph as well as his sons: but the context would rather lead one to believe that the blessing here appropriated to Joseph was that given immediately to his sons: Jacob blessed him in blessing his children; for to bless the children is to bless the parents themselves. In his blessing he reminds Joseph and his children both of the piety of their ancestors, and of the goodness which God had shewn in consequence of that piety; "God, before whom my fathers did walk, strictly obedient to his laws, see ch. Genesis 5:24.; the God who fed me all my life long, see Psalms 23.; the God who protected and preserved me, and, like a watchful shepherd, supplied all my wants." Thus he at once reminds them of their duty, and encourages them to the practice of it, by setting before them what they might expect, if, like their forefathers, they walked with God.