Genesis 49
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
That which shall befall you in the last days - It is evident from this, and indeed from the whole complexion of these important prophecies, that the twelve sons of Jacob had very little concern in them, personally considered, as they were to be fulfilled in the last days, i. e., in times remote from that period, and consequently to their posterity, and not to themselves, or to their immediate families. The whole of these prophetic declarations, from Genesis 49:2-27 inclusive, is delivered in strongly figurative language, and in the poetic form, which, in every translation, should be preserved as nearly as possible, rendering the version line for line with the original. This order I shall pursue in the succeeding notes, always proposing the verse first, in as literal a translation as possible, line for line with the Hebrew after the hemistich form, from which the sense will more readily appear; but to the Hebrew text and the common version the reader is ultimately referred. 2. Come together and hear, O sons of Jacob! And hearken unto Israel your father. Bishop Newton has justly observed that Jacob had received a double blessing, spiritual and temporal; the promise of being progenitor of the Messiah, and the promise of the land of Canaan. The promised land he might divide among his children as he pleased, but the other must be confined to one of his sons; he therefore assigns to each son a portion in the land of Canaan, but limits the descent of the blessed seed to the tribe of Judah. Some have put themselves to a great deal of trouble and learned labor to show that it was a general opinion of the ancients that the soul, a short time previous to its departure from the body, becomes endued with a certain measure of the prophetic gift or foresight; and that this was probabl…
Open source ↗PATRIARCHAL BLESSING. (Gen. 49:1-33) Jacob called unto his sons--It is not to the sayings of the dying saint, so much as of the inspired prophet, that attention is called in this chapter. Under the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit he pronounced his prophetic benediction and described the condition of their respective descendants in the last days, or future times.
Open source ↗And Jacob called upon his sons,.... Who either were near at hand, and within call at the time Joseph came to visit him, or if at a distance, and at another time, he sent a messenger or messengers to them to come unto him: and said, gather yourselves together; his will was, that they should attend him all together at the same time, that he might deliver what he had to say to them in the hearing of them all; for what he after declares was not said to them singly and alone, but when they were all before him: that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days; not their persons merely, but their posterity chiefly, from that time forward to the coming of the Messiah, who is spoken of in this prophecy, and the time of his coming; some things are said relating to temporals, others to spirituals; some are blessings or prophecies of good things to them, others curses, or foretell evil, but all are predictions delivered out by Jacob under a spirit of prophecy; some things had their accomplishment when the tribes of Israel were placed in the land of Canaan, others in the times of the judges, and in later times; and some in the times of the Messiah, to which this prophecy reaches, whose coming was in the last days, Heb 1:1 and Nachmanides says, according to the sense of all their writers, the last days here are the days of the Messiah; and in an ancient writing of the Jews it is said (x), that Jacob called his sons, because he had a mind to reveal the end of the Messiah, i.e. the time of his coming; and Abraham Seba (y) observes, that this section is the seal and key of the whole law, and of all the prophets prophesied of, unto the days of the Messiah. (x) Zohar in Gen. fol. 126. 1. (y) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 57. 4. & 58. 1.
Open source ↗The Blessing. - Gen 49:1, Gen 49:2. When Jacob had adopted and blessed the two sons of Joseph, he called his twelve sons, to make known to them his spiritual bequest. In an elevated and solemn tone he said, "Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you (יקרא for יקרה, as in Gen 42:4, Gen 42:38) at the end of the days! Gather yourselves together and hear, ye sons of Jacob, and hearken unto Israel your father!" The last address of Jacob-Israel to his twelve sons, which these words introduce, is designated by the historian (Gen 49:28) "the blessing," with which "their father blessed them, every one according to his blessing." This blessing is at the same time a prophecy. "Every superior and significant life becomes prophetic at its close" (Ziegler). But this was especially the case with the lives of the patriarchs, which were filled and sustained by the promises and revelations of God. As Isaac in his blessing (Gen 27) pointed out prophetically to his two sons, by virtue of divine illumination, the future history of their families; "so Jacob, while blessing the twelve, pictured in grand outlines the lineamenta of the future history of the future nation" (Ziegler). The groundwork of his prophecy was supplied partly by the natural character of his twelve sons, and partly by the divine promise which had been given by the Lord to him and to his fathers Abraham and Isaac, and that not merely in these two points, the numerous increase of their seed and the possession of Canaan, but in its entire scope, by which Israel had been appointed to be the recipient and medium of salvation for all nations. On this foundation the Spirit of God revealed to the dying patriarch Israel the future history of his seed, so that he discerned in the characters of his…
Open source ↗Here is, I. The preface to the prophecy, in which, 1. The congregation is called together (Gen 49:2): Gather yourselves together; let them all be sent for from their several employments, to see their father die, and to hear his dying words. It was a comfort to Jacob, now that he was dying, to see all his children about him, and none missing, though he had sometimes thought himself bereaved. It was of use to them to attend him in his last moments, that they might learn of him how to die, as well as how to live: what he said to each he said in the hearing of all the rest; for we may profit by the reproofs, counsels, and comforts, that are principally intended for others. His calling upon them once and again to gather together intimated both a precept to them to unite in love, (to keep together, not to mingle with the Egyptians, not to forsake the assembling of themselves together,) and a prediction that they should not be separated from each other, as Abraham's sons and Isaac's were, but should be incorporated, and all make one people. 2. A general idea is given of the intended discourse (Gen 49:1): That I may tell you that which shall befal you (not your persons, but your posterity) in the latter days; this prediction would be of use to those that came after them, for the confirming of their faith and the guiding of their way, on their return to Canaan, and their settlement there. We cannot tell our children what shall befal them or their families in this world; but we can tell them, from the word of God, what will befal them in the last day of all, according as they conduct themselves in this world. 3. Attention is demanded (Gen 49:2): "Hearken to Israel your father; let Israel, that has prevailed with God, prevail with you." Note, Children must diligently hearken to wh…
Open source ↗49:1-28 Jacob, by faith and as God’s spokesman, looked forward to Israel’s settlement in the land, and beyond that to the glorious future. Here at the end of the patriarchal age, he foretold what would happen to each tribe as he evaluated his sons one by one, just as Noah had done at the end of the primeval era (cp. 9:25-27). The character and acts of each ancestor affected the lives of his descendants (Exod 20:5-6; 34:6-7; Num 14:18; Jer 32:18). 49:1-2 Jacob’s words were deliberately chosen prophetic oracles. The days to come refer to the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, and beyond that to the messianic age. They would all share in the blessing; all the tribes would enter the land with Joshua, but they would not all participate equally.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7122) — to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗רְאוּבֵן (Rᵉʼûwbên, H7205) — Reuben, a son of Jacob בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… רֵאשִׁית (rêʼshîyth, H7225) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) אוֹן (ʼôwn, H202) — ability, power, (figuratively) wealth יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… שְׂאֵת (sᵉʼêth, H7613) — an elevation or leprous scab; figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank… עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh
Open source ↗פַּחַז (pachaz, H6349) — ebullition, i.e. froth (figuratively, lust) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application מִשְׁכָּב (mishkâb, H4904) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… יָצוּעַ (yâtsûwaʻ, H3326) — spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or…
Open source ↗שִׁמְעוֹן (Shimʻôwn, H8095) — Shimon, one of Jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him לֵוִי (Lêvîy, H3878) — Levi, a son of Jacob אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain מְכֵרָה (mᵉkêrâh, H4380) — a sword
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) סוֹד (çôwd, H5475) — a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy,… קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יָחַד (yâchad, H3161) — to be (or become) one אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רָצוֹן (râtsôwn, H7522) — delight (especially as shown) עָקַר (ʻâqar, H6131) — to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to… שׁוֹר (shôwr, H7794) — a bullock (as a traveller)
Open source ↗אָרַר (ʼârar, H779) — to execrate אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh עֶבְרָה (ʻebrâh, H5678) — an outburst of passion קָשָׁה (qâshâh, H7185) — properly, to be dense, i.e. tough or severe (in various applications) חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch פּוּץ (pûwts, H6327) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עֹרֶף (ʻôreph, H6203) — the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)
Open source ↗יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion גּוּר (gûwr, H1482) — a cub (as still abiding in the lair), especially of the lion טֶרֶף (ṭereph, H2964) — something torn, i.e. a fragment, e.g. a fresh leaf, prey, food בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… כָּרַע (kâraʻ, H3766) — to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate רָבַץ (râbats, H7257) — to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline,… לָבִיא (lâbîyʼ, H3833) — to roar; a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;)) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Open source ↗שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… חָקַק (châqaq, H2710) — properly, to hack, i.e. engrave (Judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda כִּי (kîy, H3588) — (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often… שִׁילֹה (Shîylôh, H7886) — Shiloh, an epithet of the Messiah בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יִקָּהָה (yiqqâhâh, H3349) — obedience עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle עַיִר (ʻayir, H5895) — properly, a young ass (as just broken to a load); hence an ass-colt גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape אָתוֹן (ʼâthôwn, H860) — a female donkey (from its docility) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שֹׂרֵק (sôrêq, H8321) — a vine stock (properly, one yielding purple grapes, the richest variety) כָּבַס (kâbaç, H3526) — to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal… לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication סוּת (çûwth, H5497) — covering, i.e. clothing דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… עֵנָב (ʻênâb, H6025) — a grape
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) חַכְלִיל (chaklîyl, H2447) — darkly flashing (only of the eyes); in a good sense, brilliant (as stimulated by wine) יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication שֵׁן (shên, H8127) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff לָבָן (lâbân, H3836) — white חָלָב (châlâb, H2461) — milk (as the richness of kine)
Open source ↗זְבוּלוּן (Zᵉbûwlûwn, H2074) — Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) חוֹף (chôwph, H2348) — a cove (as a sheltered bay) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… אֳנִיָּה (ʼŏnîyâh, H591) — a ship יְרֵכָה (yᵉrêkâh, H3411) — properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess צִידוֹן (Tsîydôwn, H6721) — Tsidon, the name of a son of Canaan, and of a place in Palestine
Open source ↗יִשָּׂשכָר (Yissâˢkâr, H3485) — Jissaskar, a son of Jacob גֶּרֶם (gerem, H1634) — a bone (as the skeleton of the body); hence, self, i.e. (figuratively) very חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red) רָבַץ (râbats, H7257) — to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline,… מִשְׁפָּת (mishpâth, H4942) — a stall for cattle (only dual)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this clearly.
Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”
When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.
Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.
But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.