Definition: And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 48:11. It’s a really interesting and layered passage about God’s plan for the future of Israel. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: God is talking to Joseph, who is still young and hasn’t fully realized his potential. He’s saying that God already knew about Joseph’s future destiny – he knew he would become a powerful leader and figure important in Israel. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And Israel said unto Joseph…” : This is Joseph speaking to his father, who is explaining something to him. “…I had not thought to see thy face:” Joseph is saying he didn’t expect to meet this person (Joseph) before God revealed his destiny. It’s a surprise! “and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.” : This is the really important part. “God hath shewed me” means God showed Joseph something significant – a glimpse of what the future holds for him. "Thy seed" refers to all the descendants of Jacob (Israel’s father). So, what does this mean practically? It suggests that God has a plan for everything that will happen in Israel. He's setting up the conditions for Joseph to become a leader and influence the future of his people. It’s a foreshadowing of the entire story of Israel’s history – from Jacob to David, through kings and into the present day. In short, it's a statement about God’s foresight and plan for the future of Israel. --- Does that explanation make sense? Would you like me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this passage in relation to other parts of Genesis? Answer any specific questions you have about it?