Genesis 48:17 (KJV) says, "And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head."

This verse takes place during the culmination of the dramatic encounter between Jacob and Joseph in Genesis 48. Jacob, knowing that his death is approaching, insists on blessing Joseph's sons before he dies. Joseph brings his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob for the blessing. Jacob, who is nearly blind, crosses his hands and places his right hand on Ephraim's head and his left hand on Manasseh's head, blessing Ephraim as the firstborn.

The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. Jacob's actions demonstrate that God's chosen lineage and blessings are passed down in unexpected and unconventional ways. Throughout Genesis, we see God choosing the younger over the older. For example, Jacob himself was chosen over Esau, and Seth over Cain. In this instance, Ephraim, the younger son, is chosen over Manasseh, the older son, to receive the primary blessing from Jacob. This reflects a larger theme in the Bible of God's favor falling on the unlikely and the unexpected.

The verse also communicates the tension and conflict within Joseph's family. Joseph, as the favored son of Jacob, may have expected his own sons to receive his father's blessings in a certain order. When Jacob places his right hand on Ephraim's head, Joseph is displeased and tries to correct his father's actions by guiding his right hand toward Manasseh's head. This incident reflects the ongoing family conflict and favoritism that can be seen throughout the book of Genesis, ultimately leading to the separation of the twelve tribes of Israel and the ongoing struggles within the nation of Israel.

Symbolically, this verse can be understood as demonstrating that God's blessings cannot be contained or controlled by human expectations or traditions. Jacob's actions may have seemed unusual or incorrect to Joseph, but they ultimately fulfilled God's plans and highlighted the theme of God's favor falling on the unexpected. This idea is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus consistently breaks down human expectations and traditions to extend God's blessings and grace to all people, regardless of their social status, ethnicity, or background.

Overall, Genesis 48:17 is a powerful example of how God's plans and blessings often defy human expectations and traditions. It also underscores the tension and conflict within Joseph's family, as well as the broader theme of God's favor falling on the unexpected throughout the Bible. This verse serves as a reminder to believers that God's ways are not always our ways, and His blessings often come in unexpected ways and to unexpected people. It also serves as a warning against the dangers of favoritism and the potential for family conflicts when human expectations clash with God's will.