1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you [that] which shall befall you in the last days.
2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
3 Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou [it]: he went up to my couch.
5 Simeon and Levi [are] brethren; instruments of cruelty [are in] their habitations.
6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
7 Cursed [be] their anger, for [it was] fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
8 Judah, thou [art he] whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand [shall be] in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.
9 Judah [is] a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].
11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
12 His eyes [shall be] red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he [shall be] for an haven of ships; and his border [shall be] unto Zidon.
14 Issachar [is] a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
15 And he saw that rest [was] good, and the land that [it was] pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
20 Out of Asher his bread [shall be] fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
21 Naphtali [is] a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.
22 Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well; [whose] branches run over the wall:
23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot [at him], and hated him:
24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty [God] of Jacob; (from thence [is] the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
25 [Even] by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
27 Benjamin shall ravin [as] a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
28 All these [are] the twelve tribes of Israel: and this [is it] that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
29 And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that [is] in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
30 In the cave that [is] in the field of Machpelah, which [is] before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.
31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
32 The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was] from the children of Heth.
33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 49
Genesis Chapter 49 is a pivotal moment in the Book of Genesis, as it contains the final blessings of Jacob to his twelve sons. This chapter serves not only as a farewell but also as a prophetic declaration regarding the future of each tribe of Israel that will descend from Jacob’s sons. The chapter is rich in symbolism and foreshadowing, reflecting the character and destiny of each son and their respective tribes.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into several key sections:
- Jacob’s Gathering of His Sons (Verses 1-2)
Jacob calls his sons to gather around him, indicating the importance of the moment and the significance of the blessings he is about to bestow.
- Blessings and Prophecies for Each Son (Verses 3-27)
Jacob addresses each son individually, providing a unique blessing and prophecy that reflects their character and future.
- Conclusion and Burial Instructions (Verses 28-33)
Jacob concludes his blessings and gives instructions regarding his burial, emphasizing his connection to the land of Canaan.
Analysis of Key Themes
- Identity and Legacy
Jacob’s blessings reveal the identity of each son and the legacy they will carry. The blessings are not merely personal but also shape the future of the tribes of Israel.
- Justice and Retribution
Jacob’s remarks often reflect the actions of the sons throughout their lives, highlighting themes of justice and retribution. For example, Simeon and Levi are criticized for their violent actions, which foreshadows their diminished status among the tribes.
- Divine Providence
The blessings indicate God’s providential plan for Israel, suggesting that despite the flaws of the individuals, God’s purposes will prevail through their descendants.
Detailed Blessings and Their Significance
Each son receives a distinct blessing that encapsulates their character and future:
- Reuben (Verses 3-4)
Reuben, as the firstborn, is told he will not excel due to his instability, reflecting his past transgressions.
- Simeon and Levi (Verses 5-7)
Jacob condemns their violent nature, indicating that their descendants will be scattered among Israel.
- Judah (Verses 8-12)
Judah receives a royal blessing, prophesying that kings will come from his lineage, ultimately pointing to the Davidic line.
- Zebulun (Verse 13)
Zebulun is associated with maritime trade and prosperity, indicating a future of economic success.
- Issachar (Verses 14-15)
Issachar is depicted as hard-working and strong, suggesting a life of labor and reward.
- Dan (Verse 16)
Dan is prophesied to be a judge for his people, indicating a role of leadership.
- Gad (Verse 19)
Gad is described as a warrior, suggesting a future of conflict and valor.
- Asher (Verse 20)
Asher is blessed with abundance and richness, indicating a prosperous future.
- Naphtali (Verse 21)
Naphtali is characterized by eloquence and agility, suggesting a tribe known for swiftness and communication.
- Joseph (Verses 22-26)
Joseph receives one of the most extensive blessings, highlighting his strength and favor, and foreshadowing the prominence of the tribe of Ephraim.
- Benjamin (Verse 27)
Benjamin is described as a ravenous wolf, symbolizing strength and ferocity, which will characterize his descendants.
Conclusion and Final Instructions
In the final verses, Jacob instructs his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah, emphasizing his desire to be laid to rest with his ancestors. This request underscores the importance of family heritage and the connection to the Promised Land, which is a recurring theme throughout Genesis.
Significance of Genesis 49
Genesis Chapter 49 serves as a crucial transition from the patriarchal narratives to the formation of the Israelite nation. The blessings and prophecies not only reflect the individual characteristics of Jacob’s sons but also set the stage for the historical and spiritual identity of the tribes of Israel. This chapter encapsulates themes of legacy, divine purpose, and the complexities of human character, making it a foundational text for understanding the subsequent history of Israel.
