Genesis 49

Jacob calleth his sons to bless them before his death verse 1 &c. rebuking first the heinous acts of Reuben Simeon and Levi 3 then he falls upon the extolling of the glory of Judah prophesying of the time of Christ his birth after the flesh out of him together with the kingdom and the calling of the gentiles 8 of Zebulon 13. Issaschar 14 Dan 16 Gad 19Aser 20 Naphtali 21 Joseph’s peculiar blessing 22 of Benjamin 27 at last Jacob gives charge concerning his burial place 29 he dieth 33.

1. After that Jacob calleth his sons he said assemble yourselves and is hall declare unto you that which shall betide you in the following days [Heb. In the aftermost last or sequel of days that is in the times to come to wit from about two hundred year hence all along until the coming of the kingdom of Messiah.]

2. Come together and hearken ye sons of Jacob and hearken unto your father Israel.

3. Reuben thou art my first born my vigor [that is a child begotten in the principal vigor of my age] and beginning of the power [viz. in begetting of children thus the first born are called Deuteronomy 21:17 Psalms 78:51] the most eminent [Heb. Eminency] in exaltation the most eminent in strength.

4. Swift descent or fall ebbe [Heb. Swiftness] as of waters [viz. in the defiling of his fathers bed even as the water suddenly gusheth down from some eminent place into the lower so hast thou through thy base lust accompanied with great Levity and presumption precipitated thyself into a most abominable villainy and vileness] thou shalt be most eminent for thou hast mounted thy fathers Gouch [that is thou hast defiled thy fathers bed with incest] then thou defildest it he hath got up into my bed[this Jacob spake up turning himself away to his other sons .]

5. Simeon and Levi are brethren [to wit not only by nature but likewise in manners and conditions wicked practices which they shewed sufficiently by wicked exploit against the Sichemites above chapter 34] their dealings [or employments or according to some their swords]are instruments of violence.

6. Let not my soul come into their secret counsel let not my honor [honor is here as much as soul before it being the worthiest and the most honorable part of man thus the word honor may be likewise taken psalms 16.9 and 30.13 and 57.9 others tongue wherewith a man is bound to honor God and to spread forth his praise also by the word honor there may be understood a mans good name] but united with their assembly for in their wrath they have slain man [Heb. The man understand the Sichemites see above chapter 34 .25,26] and in their willfulness they have removed the oxen [Heb. The ox understand hereby likewise all manner of other beast and cattle which is plundering of the city of Sichem they despoiled the inhabitants of the Hebrews do frequently use the singular instead of the plural number above chapter 32.5 and 1 Chronicles 10:1 compared with 1Samuel 31.1.]

7. Accursed be their wrath [to be accursed is to be subject and liable to all manner of bodily and spiritual temporal and eternal punishment or to be subject to any of these as above chapter 3.14 and 4.11 and 5.29 Deuteronomy 28:16,17 Matthew 25:41 understand here the temporal punishment] for it is fierce and their fury for it is hard I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel [Jacob speaks here in the name of God as a prophet and his prophesy was fulfilled accordingly in the posterity for the tribe of Simeon in the land of Canaan was intermixed with the tribe of Judah Joshua 19:1 and the tribe of Levi dispersed among all the tribes of Israel.

8. Judah thou art he be thy brethren shall praise thee thy hand shall be upon the neck of thy enemies [that is thou shalt pursue and suppress them compare Psalms 18:41] before thee thy fathers sons shall bow down before themselves [hereby the intimates that his posterity his posterity shall be exalted to the sovereignty the second part of the right progative of the primogeniture.]

9. Judah is a lion whelp thou art mounted up my son from the prey he croucheth he coucheth down like a lion on like an old lion [all this is spoken by a way of similitude to betoken and to shew forth the temporal dominion and power of the posterity of Judah Jude 1:2 and 1Samuel 17.51 and 2 Samuel 8:12,13 and 1 Kings 9 verse 20 &c. and the everlasting of the Messiah that was to issue from Judah Matthew 28:18 Luke 1:32,43 Ephesians 1:20,21] who shall rouse him ?[as if he had said his enemies shall stand in that fear of him without their apparent ruin and destruction.]

10. The scepter shall not recede or turn off from Judah [the scepter that is the power of the government or the sovereignty Isaiah 14:5 Ezekiel 19:11,14 Zachariah 10.11 it being the manner of chief governors and rulers to bear staves and scepters in their is a token of their command and authority Esther 8:4 others the tribe that is the tribe of Judah shall not be confounded with others nor removed out of its place before &c.] nor the law giver [understand him that hath power to make and give and prescribe law of government see Proverbs 8:15] from between his feet [that is issuing from Judah others who shall be instructed as a disciple at the feet of the master in law so Deuteronomy 33:3] until Silo [hereby doubtless the Messiah is to be understood by some is rendered his son and fruit to wit the son of Judah the Hebrew word doth signify the skin or membrane wherein the children are born & thence also the very child is contained and which was to come forth out of the tribe of Judah of which the virgin Mary the mother of Christ was to descend otherwise the savior preserver the posterity giver &c.] come [others shall become both is true in regard of the twofold form of government the one having power in matters criminal over life and death the other only determining civil and Ecclesiastical difference for some years before the coming of Christ the Jews were deprived of the first form of government by Pompeius but the other was yet remaining in their hands when Christ was come in flesh John 18:31] and to the same nation shall yield obedience of the nations be that is the true believers among the nations shall yield obedience unto him acknowledging him for their Lord and savior &c. others and unto him shall be the gathering of the nations.]

11. He lieth his young-ass to the vine and the coat f she ass to the noblest vine [hereby is intimated the abundance and excellence of the wine that should be planted in Judah his inheritance] he washeth his garment in wine and his cloak [others his upper garments] in the blood of grapes [that is in the juice of grapes or wine so Deuteronomy 32:14.]

12. He is ruddy of the eyes through the wine and white of the teeth through the milk [by the phrase he implies the great abundance and strength of the wine and the milk which should be in the land of Judah others redder of the eyes then wine and wither of teeth then milk.]

13. Zebulon shall dwell at the havens [that is he shall have his habitations on the seacoast. See the fulfilling hereof Joshua 19:10,11 &c.] of the seas [otherwise: Lakes] and he shall be at the havens of the ships, and his side shall be towards Zidon. [See of this above chapter 10.19.]

14. Issaschar is a strong or row-boned ass [Heb. An ass of the bone that is an ass of huge and strong bones by this allusion of a strong yet lazy and ease-loving ass he foretelleth that the posterity of Issaschar should be strong indeed and of great abilities by reason of the goodness of their soil but so given up to their ease and peace that they should achieve nothing of any moment but rather suffer themselves to be ridden and burthened by others see Judges 5.13and compare Deuteronomy 33:18] lying down between two packs.

15. when he saw the rest that it was good and the land that it was pleasant then he bowed down his soldier for to bear and was serving under tribute.

16. Dan shall judge his people [that is govern them by giving and executing of laws so 1Samuel 2.10 Psalms 96:13 Zachariah 3.7 this same Jacob likewise understands of the other tribes issuing from the hands maids that they shall have the full dominion in their inheritance and allotment as well as any of the rest.] as one of the tribes of Israel.

17. Dan shall be a serpent by the way [the sense and meaning of this prophesy is Dan shall after the nature and condition of the serpents filly and subtly assault his enemies as is to be gathered likewise by Deuteronomy 33 verse 22 see the examples of the fulfilling hereof Judges 14 and 15 and 16 and 18 chapter] an adder serpent besides the path [others an arrow serpent jucules who hiding themselves in the tree do with great force and swiftness shoot forth thence from between the boughs upon the passengers as also they do on the plain ground by the ways side the Hebrew word occurs only in this place] bitting the horses heels that his rider may fall backward.

18. LORD I wait [Jacob addresseth himself to God to recommend unto him the welfare of his posterity foreseeing through the spirit of God his troubles and difficulties which were to be fall them both in general and the tribe of Dan in particular in regard as well as their inheritance Jude 1.34Joshua 19.47 as of the true religion pure worship of God which they did soon forsake in the turning to idolatry Judges 18:17] on thy salvation [the Hebrew word signifies either temporal deliverance and preservation Judges 5.18and 2 Samuel 10:11 or the everlasting Joshua 45.17 Luke 19:9 or both them together as Psalms 37:39 and here others to or for thy salvation or preservation do I wait on the LORD.]

19. Concerning Gad a troop or company shall fall upon him [the Heb verb signifies properly to make excursion with parties here and there with depredation and Jacob implies here that Gad shall be somewhat troubled in the beginning with his enemies but should conquer them himself at length see Deuteronomy 33:20,21] but he shall fall on them in the end.

20. Of Aser his bread shall be fat [meaning that the posterity of Aser shall enjoy very good wheat oil and other sustenance in abundance in the country to be allotted unto them] and he shall deliver royal dainties [that is the land of Aser shall be exceeding fruitful yielding not only necessary food but likewise all manner of precious delicious rare and dainty fruits such as may grace any kings table and please his palat see Deuteronomy 33:24 and Joshua 19:24,25 &c.]

21. Naphtali is a hinde let loose [that is nimble and expedite in warlike achievements Judges 4:6,10 and 5.18 and as pleasant and acceptable in the civil conversation as follows.] he gives goodly words.

22. Joseph is a fruitful branch, a fruitful branch by the fountain [Heb. son of the fruitful (vine) &c.] each of the branches [Heb. The daughters] runs [or, proceeds] over the wall [Joseph in this verse is compared to a fruitful stock or stem of a vine shooting forth her branches which should multiply and spread themselves exceedingly.]

23. The Archers [Heb. Lord or masters of the arrows that is such as use them in shooting see above chapter 14.13 understand by this all such a wronged and troubled Joseph as is brethren selling him his mistress by her false accusing causing him to be put in prison &c. all which made him mark of their arrowed-eyed and spiteful persecution to split and ruin him] indeed have practiced bitterness in him [Heb. Have embittered or exasperated him] and shot at him [see of the Hebrew verb here used job 16.13 Jeremiah 50.29also Psalms 18:15] and hated him.

24. But his bow remained in stiffness or vigor and the arm of his hands were strengthened [that is his strength and posterity remained entire that he could not be hit nor hurt by his enemies some do understand by the bow the faith of Joseph and by his arms his virtuous practice] through the hands [the hands of God betoken his almighty power and strength Exodus 13:3 Psalms 10:12 Ezekiel39.21 &c.] of the mighty one of Jacob [that is of God who through his might descended and protected Jacob and his family] from whence [viz. from God the only fountain and giver of all good things] he is a shepherd [understand this of Joseph whom god hath appointed a shepherd to provide food for the Egyptian and other nations about them but especially for the house of Jacob by reason whereof he is likewise called in the following text a stone or rock of refuge] a stone of Israel.

25. From thy fathers God who shall help thee and from the almighty who shall bless thee with the blessings of heaven from above and blessing of the abyss that lieth underneath it [understand by this the profound death under the earth from whence the seas fountain rivers lakes brooks and c. take their source compare above chapter 1.2] with blessings of the breast of the womb [this verse hath respect to Joseph posterity to whom Jacob prophetically becquainteth here a fourfold blessing from God i. by means of heaven seasonable summer and winter sunshine rain dew winds see Deuteronomy 33:13 Ezekiel 34:6 ii. out of the abyss fountains and rivers and all manner of stowing and standing waters and all their producement compare Deuteronomy 8:7 and 33.13 iii. By means of mankind the fruitfulness and multiplication of their posterity Deuteronomy 33:17 iv. By the beast food clothing helpful service and gainful abundance of the same compare Deuteronomy 28:4.]

26. The blessings of thy father exceed the blessings of my forefathers [not only as being a new confirmed unto me more clearly revealed and more nearly fulfilled but likewise extending over all my children who likewise are more in number then those of my father and grandfather were belonging to Gods covenant]unto the end of the everlasting hillock [that is those that were from the beginning compare Deuteronomy 33:15 Ezekiel 36:2 Habakkuk 3:6 and further Psalms 72:5,7.17 and 98.37,38] those shall be upon the head of Joseph [that is they shall be abundantly poured forth over that from him they may in like measure discern and flow down upon all his posterity] and upon the crown of the head of him that was separated from the brethren [to be exalted to that dominion and power whereby he became the preserver of the whole generation of all his kindred from whom he was separated.]

27. Benjamin shall tear like a wolf in the morning shall he eat and prey an din the evening shall he divide a spoil [of Benjamites it is foretold here that in disposition condition and practice they shall in some sort be like unto the ravening wolves who are always abroad and about to prey upon what they can to tear what they cease and to devour and swallow all that they have torn they and their young ones between them and for they shall be mightily given to them at rest following their warlike design and practices from morning till night see the fulfilling hereof Judges 3:15 item chapter 19 and chapter 22 and 1Samuel chapter 12 and 14 and 15.]

28. All these tribes of Israel are twelve and that is that which their father spake to them when he blessed them he blessed everyone according to his peculiar blessings.

29. After that he commanded them and said unto them: I am gathered to my people [see above chapter 15 on verse 15 and 25.8] bury me by my fathers [of the use of burials see above chapter 23.4] in the cave which is in the field of the Ephron the Hethite [see above chapter 23 on verse 10.]

30. in the cave which is [he describeth this cave so carefully not only to shew his great desire of being buried there but likewise that they might be sure of remembering the place exactly for Joseph had been absent out of the land of Canaan by this time about thirty nine years and his brethren about seventeen]in the field of Machpela him [see above chapter 33on verse 9] which is over against Mamre[otherwise called Hebron in the tribes of Judah above chapter 23.19 and 35.27] in the land of Canaan which Abraham bought with that field of Ephron the Hethite of an hereditary burial place.

31. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they have buried Isaac and Rebecca his wife; and there have I buried Leah [this Jacob relates here at length thus partly to draw off his children's affection from Egypt and to kindle a desire and expectation of them and enjoying once that land of promise, and partly also to testify thereby openly and solemnly that he steadfastly remained in the footsteps of the faith of Abraham and Isaac.]

32. The field and the cave that is therein is bought of the sons of Heth [Heb. The buying of the field and of the cave that is therein is of &c.; otherwise: in the possession, or the inheritance of the field and the cave that therein is (bought) of &c.]

33. When Jacob had made an end of charging his sons and laid his feet together upon the bed [it seemeth that Jacob made all the fore going speech sitting up in the bed in honor of he word of God which he was then and there to declare unto his children and the better to utter the same afterwards having done and through the weakness of the increase upon him being disabled to continue longer in that posture he laid himself down again and stretching forth his feet together disposed himself gentle and quietly to wait for death and to commend his spirit for God] and he gave the ghost expired and he was gathered to his people [see above on verse 29.]