Analysis of Genesis Chapter 49
Genesis Chapter 49 is a significant passage in the Bible where Jacob, also known as Israel, delivers his final blessings and prophecies concerning his twelve sons, who are the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. This chapter is both poetic and prophetic, and it encapsulates the future destinies of Jacob’s descendants, reflecting their characters and the roles they will play in the unfolding story of the Israelites. This chapter can be interpreted in the context of individual destinies, tribal characteristics, and broader spiritual truths.
Verses 1-2: Jacob Gathers His Sons
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.
Jacob begins by summoning his sons to disclose what will happen to them ‘in the last days.’ This phrase can be understood both as an immediate future and a distant eschatological perspective. By referring to himself as both Jacob and Israel, he bridges his personal identity with the national destiny of Israel, indicating the broader significance of his blessings.
Verses 3-4: Reuben
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.
Reuben, as the firstborn, is acknowledged for his potential greatness; however, his instability, depicted as ‘unstable as water,’ signifies a lack of self-control. His sin of defiling his father’s bed (Genesis 35:22) leads to his loss of preeminence. This portrayal underscores the theme of personal sin impacting one’s future and represents a moral lesson on the consequences of impetuous actions.
Verses 5-7: Simeon and Levi
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.
Simeon and Levi are jointly addressed due to their violent actions against the men of Shechem (Genesis 34:25-30). Jacob condemns their fierce anger and prophesies their dispersion within Israel. This scattering can be observed historically: the tribe of Simeon was absorbed into Judah, and Levi, although becoming the priestly tribe, was given no territorial inheritance. This passage highlights the care of divine justice and the impact of unchecked rage.
Verses 8-12: Judah
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.
Judah is prophesied to be the leading tribe, one that his brothers will praise, and one that will hold regal power, symbolized by the lion. Verses 10 speak of the lasting kingship in Judah, culminating in the coming of ‘Shiloh,’ interpreted as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ, from the lineage of David, a descendant of Judah. The lavish imagery of abundance in verses 11-12 depicts prosperity and blessing. This prophecy has both immediate and far-reaching implications, ensuring Judah’s preeminence and hinting at the ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.
Verses 13-15: Zebulun and Issachar
13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for a 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.
Zebulun’s prophecy concerns its geographic placement near the sea and its role in maritime trade. Zebulun’s future wealth and strategic position illustrate the tribe’s contribution to commerce and interaction with other nations. Conversely, Issachar is likened to a strong donkey and represents a laborious and agrarian life. The tribe will find the land pleasant and submit to labor, reflecting their future economic foundation through agriculture.
Verses 16-18: Dan
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.
Dan is foretold to judge his people, a reference to the judges who will come from this tribe, such as Samson. The imagery of the serpent and adder suggests cunning and a potential for subversive tactics. The sudden interjection of verse 18, “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD,” may reflect Jacob’s own plea for deliverance, perhaps acknowledging the dangers or challenges that would arise from within Dan.
Verses 19-21: Gad, Asher, Naphtali
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.
Gad’s prophecy is one of conflict and eventual victory, reflecting the tribe’s martial nature. Asher is associated with rich produce and delicacies, projecting prosperity. Naphtali is compared to a free-running deer, conveying a sense of liberty and eloquence, possibly referring to the tribe’s communicative abilities and cultural contributions.
Verses 22-26: Joseph
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.
Joseph receives an extensive and abundant blessing, recognizing his suffering and resilience. Described as a fruitful bough, his prosperity and influence extend beyond confines (‘over the wall’). Despite being assailed by ‘archers,’ metaphorically representing his trials, he remains strong through divine support. The abundant blessings are seen as a result of his faithfulness and God’s favor, highlighting the reward for righteousness and perseverance. This also underscores Joseph’s role as a pivotal figure in Israel’s history.
Verses 27: Benjamin
27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
Benjamin is likened to a ravenous wolf, indicative of a tribe known for its fierceness and warlike nature. This description is consistent with later narratives where the tribe of Benjamin plays a crucial role in Israel’s military exploits. The portrayal of consuming prey in the morning and dividing spoil at night symbolizes continuous activity and prowess in battle.
Verses 28-33: Jacob’s Death
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.
The chapter concludes with Jacob emphasizing the significance of burying him in the ancestral tomb at Machpelah, underscoring his connection to the Abrahamic covenant and the promised land. His instructions are precise, ensuring his desire to be laid to rest with his ancestors is honored. Jacob’s death is described with a sense of peace and fulfillment as he is ‘gathered unto his people,’ reflecting his life’s culmination and the continuation of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 49 is a rich, multifaceted text that provides insight into the character and future of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each blessing and prophecy reflects a delicate balance of personal virtues and flaws, divine justice, and ultimate redemption. Jacob’s words establish a blueprint for the unfolding destiny of his descendants and hold significant theological and historical implications. The chapter demonstrates the intricate relationship between individual choices, divine will, and the broader narrative of God’s plan for Israel.