Genesis 49

1 last days. Or, “hereafter.” Prophecies of the future destinies and characters of the twelve tribes, as well as references to their founders. Cp. with Deut. xxxiii.; and with the allotments of the different tribes, as in Josh. xiii.-xix. The six sons of Leah are first mentioned, then the four sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, last of all the sons of Rachel.

4. Unstable. Or, “boiling up.” See other forms of the same word rendered “light” in Judges ix. 4; Zeph. iii. 4; and “lightness” in Jer. xxiii. 32. The preceding verse vividly describes the privileges of the firstborn; this as solemnly declares them to be forfeited. No judge, prophet, prince, or person of renown is found of this tribe; nor was the tribe itself ever distinguished for anything good. See Judges v. 15, 16.

5 habitations. Or, “their swords are weapons of violence” (R.V.); but perhaps it is better to read, with the Septuagint and Samaritan, “They perpetrated wickedness by their devices.”

6 a wall. Rather, “they houghed an ox” or “oxen” (R.V., A.V. marg.); a metaphorical phrase, denoting their treachery (xxxiv.).

7. I will. Jacob is said to do that which he predicts. Similar phraseology is common in the prophetic writings. The fulfilment of this prophecy was strikingly diverse in the two cases. The tribe of Simeon was divided through very feebleness and inability to maintain their position in any one place. Cp. Numb. i. 22, 23; xxxi. 12-14; 1 Chron. iv. 38. Long before the captivity, it was entirely absorbed in the tribe of Judah. See Josh. xix. 1, 9; Judges i. 3, 17. Cp. 1 Kings xii. 23. In the blessing of Moses (Deut. xxxiii.), Simeon is entirely passed over. Levi, with similar numerical weakness (Numb. iii. 39), was also dispersed, but for the highest and holiest purposes. See Deut. x. 9. The heroic zeal displayed by this tribe for Jahveh (Exod. xxxii. 26-28) could not repeal the curse, but changed it into a blessing—the tribe of Levi being scattered through the land as the religious guides and instructors of the people.

8 enemies. Over all thine enemies thou shalt be victorious. The supremacy among the tribes and the promise of Messiah are separated from the rest of the birthright, and given to Judah. See 1 Chron. v. 2, and note on ch. xlviii. 5.

9 old lion. Rather, “lioness.” These figures, rising in a beautiful climax, indicate the warlike character and power of the tribe. First, it is compared to a lion’s whelp; then to a full-grown lion; then to a lioness, which, when roused in defence of her cubs, exceeds all in fierceness. This progressive imagery prepares for the crowning prediction of “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” See Rev. v. 5.

10. Shiloh. “The peaceful one.” Having announced the sovereignty of Judah, the patriarch goes on to declare that it should have no end, until One should come bearing the name of “Shiloh,” whose sway both Israel and all mankind should acknowledge. The subsequent history presents the fulfilment of this prediction. In the journeyings of the Israelites through the wilderness, and under the theocracy in the promised land, the tribe of Judah took the precedence; after the return of the people from Babylon it absorbed the others, and gave its name to the whole nation; and even under the dominion of the Romans it retained a measure of authority. But, on the appearance of Christ, all this quickly passed away, to make room for the spiritual and ultimately universal reign of the Prince of peace.—people. Literally, peoples (R.V.). In Genesis the great prophecy is developed from the announcement of a Deliverer belonging to the human race, so far as to specify the particular tribe from which He should spring. Abraham among the descendants of Noah (xii. 3); Isaac of the children of Abraham (xxi. 12); Jacob of the offspring of Isaac; and now Judah, of Jacob’s children, are successively pointed out as the depositaries of the blessing.

12 milk. The appearance of the people would indicate their happy lot. Vers. 11, 12 describe, in poetical terms, the peace and plenty which in the best times of the nation would be the lot of the tribe; and they seem to point onwards to the blessings of the Messiah’s reign.

13. Zidon. Probably not the city, which lay far to the north, but the territory of the Zidonians: the word “haven” referring either to the Zidonian ports, or, more probably, to the coast of Zebulun on the Sea of Galilee. Tiberias was within this tribe. See Josh. xix. 10-16, and map of Canaan.

14 burdens. Or, “two stalls.” “Sheepfolds” (R.V.). Within the portion of this tribe lay the rich plain of Jezreel, bordered by the range of Carmel and the hills of Galilee. The men of Issachar occasionally displayed both valour and wisdom. See Judges v. 15; 1 Chron. xii. 32.

16 judge. So the name “Dan” signifies. The stealthy character of their warfare (resembling that of the Bedouin) is illustrated in Judges xviii.; and it is aptly represented by the attack of the cerastes, or horned viper, which lies unperceived in the sand.

19 troop. The words “troop” and “overcome” are allusions to the name Gad, whose tribe was much exposed to predatory incursions from the Syrian and Arabian deserts. “At last” (lit. “upon the heel”) may be rendered “in the rear,” or “in return.” In marching to the conquest of Canaan, the tribe of Gad was part of the advanced guard of the whole army. See Josh. i. 12-15.

21. Naphtali, etc. “A slender oak is Naphtali with lovely boughs” (Moffatt). The “goodly words” of Deborah’s song (Judges v.) celebrated the deeds of this tribe, Barak being “of Kedeh-Naphtali.”

24 strong. Strength of character distinguished Joseph—he resisted the bad influence of his brothers’ sins and the temptation to youthful lust; he endured slavery and imprisonment; he sustained the heaviest burdens and greatest dignities of government, and kept his faith in God’s promises unimpaired by worldly prosperity. This blessing on Joseph, which was fulfilled in the portions of Ephraim and Manasseh, is the fullest and most elaborate of all. “Heaven above,” with its rains and dews—“the deep,” the western sea, the Lake of Tiberias, and the Jordan through much of its course—and “the everlasting hills,” Mount Ephraim and Mount Gilead—promoted the increase of their families and of their possessions, and made Joseph as a “fruitful bough by a well.” See Deut. xxxiii. 13-17.

26 everlasting hills. Or, “The blessings of thy father exceed the blessings of the eternal mountains, the desirable things of the everlasting hills.” Cp. Deut. xxxiii. 15.

27 spoil. In the first times of Israel, the Benjamites were noted for their fierce military spirit and success in war. From them sprang Ehud, the second judge, and Saul, the first king. They were afterwards united with Judah, shared in its privileges, and returned in large numbers from Babylon.

29 said to them. The charge formerly given to Joseph is now given to all his sons; who, though once estranged from one another, were to unite at their father’s grave, like Isaac and Ishmael at the burial of Abraham (xxv. 9), and Jacob and Esau at that of Isaac (xxxv. 29).