Manasseh

Firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, born in Egypt, ancestor of the tribe of Manasseh. Joseph named him “Manasseh” (meaning “causing to forget”), saying “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house” (Genesis 41:51). Though the firstborn, Manasseh received the lesser blessing from Jacob, who deliberately crossed his hands to place his right hand on the younger Ephraim, prophesying that Ephraim would be greater (Genesis 48:19-20). The tribe of Manasseh grew large enough to divide, with half settling east of the Jordan River and half west. Notable descendants include the judge Gideon.