Genesis 48:16 - Hamalach Hagoel - The Angel Who Redeems
In Book of Genesis 48:16, Jacob blesses Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and says:
Hebrew
הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגֹּאֵל אֹתִי מִכָּל־רָע יְבָרֵךְ אֶת־הַנְּעָרִים
Transliteration
Hamalach Hagoel oti mikol ra, yevarech et hane'arim.
English
"The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads."
(Genesis 48:16)
Word-by-Word Meaning
Hamalach (הַמַּלְאָךְ) – The Angel / Messenger
Hagoel (הַגֹּאֵל) – The Redeemer
Oti (אֹתִי) – Me
Mikol (מִכָּל) – From all
Ra (רָע) – Evil, harm, adversity
Yevarech (יְבָרֵךְ) – May bless
Et Hane'arim (אֶת־הַנְּעָרִים) – The boys / the youths
Traditional Jewish Understanding
This phrase, "Hamalach Hagoel" ("The Angel Who Redeems"), is one of the most beloved passages in Jewish tradition. Jacob recalls God's protection throughout his life and invokes the same divine guardianship over his grandchildren.
Many Jewish bedtime prayers (Kriat Shema al HaMitah) include the phrase:
Hamalach Hagoel oti mikol ra, yevarech et hane'arim...
"May the Angel who redeemed me from all evil bless the children..."
It is often recited as a prayer for protection, blessing, peace, and divine watchfulness over children and loved ones.
Complete Verse (Genesis 48:16)
Hebrew
הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגֹּאֵל אֹתִי מִכָּל־רָע יְבָרֵךְ אֶת־הַנְּעָרִים וְיִקָּרֵא בָהֶם שְׁמִי וְשֵׁם אֲבֹתַי אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק וְיִדְגּוּ לָרֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ׃
Transliteration
Hamalach hagoel oti mikol ra, yevarech et hane'arim; v'yikarei vahem sh'mi, v'shem avotai Avraham v'Yitzchak; v'yidgu larov b'kerev ha'aretz.
English
"The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and may they multiply abundantly in the midst of the earth."
