And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

And he named the second Epharaim, saying: God hath made me to grow in the land of my poverty.

And to the second he gave the name Ephraim, for he said, God has given me fruit in the land of my sorrow.

Likewise, he named the second Ephraim, saying, "God has caused me to increase in the land of my poverty."

Nomen autem secundi vocavit Ephraim: quia dixit, crescere fecit me Deus in terra afflictionbis meae.

And the name of the second called he Ephraim,.... Which signifies fruits or fruitfulness; and being of the dual number, may intend both his spiritual and temporal fruitfulness God had blessed him with:
for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction; in the land of Egypt, where he had been long afflicted, even for the space of thirteen years, more or less, in his master's house, and in the prison; but God had made him fruitful in grace and good works, in holiness, humility, &c. and oftentimes afflictive seasons are the most fruitful ones in this sense. God also bestowed great gifts upon him, as skill in the interpretation of dreams, wisdom in political affairs, a large abundance of wealth, and riches, honour and glory; to which may be added, the fruit of his body, his two children.

The second son he named Ephraim, i.e., double-fruitfulness; "for God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." Even after his elevation Egypt still continued the land of affliction, so that in this word we may see one trace of a longing for the promised land.