Genesis 41:21

41:21 When they had eaten them, ¹  no one would have known ²  that they had done so, for they were just as bad-looking as before. Then I woke up.

Genesis 41:51

41:51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, ³  saying, ⁴  “Certainly ⁵  God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s house.”

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¹ tn Heb “when they went inside them.”

² tn Heb “it was not known.”

³ sn The name Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, mÿnasheh) describes God’s activity on behalf of Joseph, explaining in general the significance of his change of fortune. The name is a Piel participle, suggesting the meaning “he who brings about forgetfulness.” The Hebrew verb נַשַּׁנִי (nashani) may have been used instead of the normal נִשַּׁנִי (nishani) to provide a closer sound play with the name. The giving of this Hebrew name to his son shows that Joseph retained his heritage and faith; and it shows that a brighter future was in store for him.

⁴ tn The word “saying” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

⁵ tn Or “for.”