The Book of Genesis 33 Verses

Genesis 49

Chapter 49 Overview · 33 Verses

1Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around, all of you, that I may tell you all what will happen to you all in the days to come:

2Come together and listen, O sons of Jacob;

listen to your father Israel.

Genesis 49:1–2 Commentary

“The Last Days” — Prophecy Across Millennia:

“Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days.” That opening summons unveils the immense prophetic scope of the chapter: this isn't merely a dying patriarch venting over his sons' personal flaws, but an inspired prophetic forecast reaching all the way to the end of the age. Over four centuries later on the plains of Moab, Moses would use the exact same Hebrew phrase in Deuteronomy — Acharit HaYamim, “the latter days” — to map out Israel’s final tribulation and ultimate redemption (Deuteronomy 4:30⁠; 31:29⁠). Jacob’s deathbed testament is foundational prophetic architecture for the entire biblical story.

3Reuben, you are my firstborn, my

might, and the beginning of my strength,

excelling in honor, excelling in power.

4Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer

excel, because you went up to your

father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.

Genesis 49:3–4 Commentary

Reuben Stripped of the Firstborn Honor:

Reuben was the biological firstborn: “my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.” Yet every one of those birthright honors is stripped from him because of moral collapse: “Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed” — a direct reference to his scandalous defilement of Bilhah fourteen chapters earlier back in Canaan (Genesis 35:22)⁠. As Israel's historical record would confirm nearly a thousand years later during the monarchy in 1 Chronicles 5:1–2⁠, the double-portion birthright passed to Joseph, while the royal scepter was transferred to Judah. Church of God tradition has long associated Reuben’s modern descendants with portions of France — a nation whose history, reflecting Reuben’s character, has frequently displayed cultural brilliance and military vigor undermined by chronic political volatility.

5Simeon and Levi are brothers;

their swords are weapons of violence.

6May I never enter their council;

may I never join their assembly.

For they kill men in their anger,

and hamstring oxen on a whim.

7Cursed be their anger, for it is strong,

and their wrath, for it is cruel!

I will disperse them in Jacob

and scatter them in Israel.

Genesis 49:5–7 Commentary

Simeon and Levi Judged Decades Later:

“Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.” Both were born to Leah early in Jacob's marriage twenty chapters earlier (Genesis 29:32–34)⁠, and both are now called to account for their bloody rampage fifteen chapters back at Shechem, where they exploited the sacred sign of circumcision to massacre an entire city in retaliation for Dinah’s defilement (Genesis 34). “Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce,” Jacob pronounces, decreeing that both tribes would be divided and scattered throughout Israel. Over four centuries later, when Israel would enter the Promised Land under Joshua, that prophetic dispersion was fulfilled with exact geographic precision: Simeon received no autonomous tribal territory of its own, but only scattered cities enclaved within Judah’s inheritance (Joshua 19:1–9)⁠, while Levi received zero contiguous land, dispersed among forty-eight designated Levitical cities (Joshua 21).

Tribal Scattering Fulfilled in History:

Centuries after the conquest, when the northern kingdom would fracture under Jeroboam, the displaced Levites would abandon their northern pasturelands and migrate south to Judah to remain faithful to the altar and Temple in Jerusalem, merging their tribal identity with the House of Judah (1 Kings 12:26–33⁠; 2 Chronicles 11:13–17⁠).

8Judah, your brothers shall praise you.

Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies;

your father’s sons shall bow down to you.

9Judah is a young lion—

my son, you return from the prey.

Like a lion he crouches and lies down;

like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

10The scepter will not depart from Judah,

nor the staff from between his feet,

until Shiloh comes,

and the allegiance of the nations is His.

Genesis 49:8–10 Commentary

The Scepter of Judah and Coming Shiloh:

In Genesis 49:8⁠, Jacob pronounces the royal blessing over his fourth son: "Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you." Judah is portrayed as a young lion, culminating in the supreme messianic prophecy of verse 10 (Genesis 49:10)⁠: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is His.” Royal authority was permanently established in Judah's line, pointing directly to Yeshua the Messiah.

Ezekiel 21:27 Echoes Genesis 49:10:

Over twelve centuries later during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel 21:27 foretells that the royal crown would be overturned repeatedly “until He comes to whom the right belongs, and I will give it to Him” — a prophecy directly citing Genesis 49:10⁠. The Hebrew term Shiloh can be rendered “He to whom it belongs.” The royal scepter remains tied to Judah’s line until the true Davidic King — Yeshua the Messiah — returns to assume His everlasting throne.

From Saul to David — The Eternal Scepter:

Over eight centuries later in Israel’s monarchy, the nation’s first king, Saul, would arise from the tribe of Benjamin — yet his dynasty was temporary and rejected. As Jacob’s prophecy demanded, the permanent covenant throne was established exclusively through David of Judah, culminating nearly two millennia down the road in Yeshua the Messiah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 7:12–16⁠; Matthew 1:1⁠; Luke 1:31–33⁠; Hebrews 7:14⁠; Revelation 5:5⁠). To Him belongs the ultimate obedience of all nations.

11He ties his donkey to the vine,

his colt to the choicest branch.

He washes his garments in wine,

his robes in the blood of grapes.

12His eyes are darker than wine,

and his teeth are whiter than milk.

Genesis 49:11–12 Commentary

Telescoping the Messiah’s First and Second Comings:

The prophetic imagery telescopes both comings of Yeshua into a single vision. Tethering a donkey to a choice vine portrays overwhelming agricultural abundance — no farmer ties a colt to a prized vine unless grapes are so plentiful that losing fruit means nothing. Yet it also prefigures the King riding into Jerusalem on a donkey fifteen centuries later in the Gospels (Zechariah 9:9⁠; Matthew 21:5–9⁠). That peaceful scene immediately shifts to the terrifying imagery of washing garments in the “blood of grapes” — the biblical metaphor for the divine winepress. When Messiah returns at His Second Coming, He comes as the Warrior whose robes are drenched in the judgment of the nations (Isaiah 63:1–6⁠; Revelation 19:13–15⁠). With eyes darker than wine and teeth whiter than milk, Judah’s blessing marches far past an ancient tribal border straight into the return of the conquering King of kings.

13Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore

and become a harbor for ships;

his border shall extend to Sidon.

14Issachar is a strong donkey,

lying down between the sheepfolds.

15He saw that his resting place was good

and that his land was pleasant,

so he bent his shoulder to the burden

and submitted to labor as a servant.

Genesis 49:13–15 Commentary

Zebulun — Haven for Ships in the Netherlands:

In Genesis 49:13⁠, Jacob prophesies: “Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon” Church of God prophetic analysis associates Zebulun’s descendants with the maritime people of the Netherlands, whose history, geography, and commerce have been uniquely defined by the sea and world shipping.

Issachar — The Sturdy Donkey in Finland:

Issachar is portrayed as a strong, industrious donkey resting between burdens, willing to labor steadily in a quiet, pleasant land. Church of God understanding identifies Issachar’s lineage with the hardy, resilient people of Finland, renowned for quiet endurance (sisu) and unwavering resolve under harsh northern conditions.

16Dan shall judge his people

as one of the tribes of Israel.

17He will be a snake by the road,

a viper in the path

that bites the horse’s heels

so that its rider tumbles backward.

Genesis 49:16–17 Commentary

Dan Omitted From Revelation’s Sealed Tribes:

In Genesis 49:16⁠, Jacob employs a Hebraic wordplay: Dan (“judge”) shall judge (yadin) his people as one of Israel’s tribes. Yet Jacob pairs this judicial title with a sobering warning, portraying Dan as a viper striking a horse’s heels. Centuries later in the book of Judges, Dan fulfilled that warning by plunging into systemic idolatry — adopting Micah’s carved images in Judges 18 and later hosting Jeroboam’s northern golden calf cult (1 Kings 12:29–30)⁠. Looking ahead nearly two millennia to Revelation 7:4–8⁠, Dan is strikingly the only tribe completely omitted from the 144,000 sealed servants of God. Church of God tradition identifies Dan’s modern descendants primarily with Ireland and Denmark, noting how migrating Danites traditionally stamped their forefather’s name onto major European waterways like the Danube, Dnieper, and Don.

Nachash at Mount Hermon — The Danite Idol Cult:

In verse 17 (Genesis 49:17)⁠, Jacob calls Dan a serpent (nachash) — the identical Hebrew term used for the deceiver back in Eden (Genesis 3:1)⁠. Centuries later during the judges, Dan abandoned its coastal allotment, captured Laish at the base of Mount Hermon, and renamed it Dan (Judges 18:27–29)⁠. While ancient Jewish tradition viewed Mount Hermon as the epicenter of angelic rebellion, Scripture grounds Hermon in real spiritual warfare: Dan erected an apostate shrine at its base that corrupted Israel for centuries. Centuries later, Yeshua stood at Hermon’s foot at Caesarea Philippi declaring the gates of Hades would not prevail, before ascending its heights to reveal His transfigured glory. A tribe branded nachash, presiding over an idolatrous cult at Hermon’s base, provides the sobering backdrop for Dan’s exclusion in Revelation 7.

18I await Your salvation, O YAHWEH.

Genesis 49:18 Commentary

“I Await Your Salvation” — The Root of Yeshua:

Right in the middle of this prophetic tribal catalog, Jacob pauses and cries out: “I await Your salvation, O YAHWEH.” The Hebrew noun for “salvation” is Yeshuah—the exact root from which the sacred name Yeshua (Jesus) is derived! This marks the very first occurrence of the noun Yeshuah in the entire Bible. As dying Jacob surveys the long corridor of tribal warfare and spiritual conflict, his soul anchors in the ultimate Deliverer: YAHWEH’s coming Yeshuah.

19Gad will be attacked by raiders,

but he will attack their heels.

Genesis 49:19 Commentary

Gad — Overcoming Raids in Switzerland:

“Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels” (Genesis 49:19)⁠. Church of God prophetic understanding identifies Gad’s descendants with the Swiss — a rugged, well-defended Alpine people repeatedly caught in the crossfire of European warfare, yet consistently defending their sovereignty and emerging victorious.

20Asher’s food will be rich;

he shall provide royal delicacies.

Genesis 49:20 Commentary

Asher’s Royal Dainties in Belgium and Luxembourg:

“Asher’s food will be rich, and he will provide royal delicacies” (Genesis 49:20)⁠. Church of God tradition identifies Asher’s descendants with the prosperous Low Countries of Belgium and Luxembourg, world-renowned for agricultural richness, culinary excellence, and royal delicacies.

21Naphtali is a doe set free

that bears beautiful fawns.

Genesis 49:21 Commentary

Naphtali's Freed Doe Ties His Line to Sweden:

“Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns” (Genesis 49:21)⁠. Church of God prophetic analysis links Naphtali’s lineage with Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, characterized by peace, love of liberty, and cultural refinement.

22Joseph is a fruitful vine—

a fruitful vine by a spring,

whose branches scale the wall.

Genesis 49:22 Commentary

Joseph’s Fruitful Bough Running Over the Wall:

Jacob announces the blessing of Joseph in Genesis 49:22⁠: “Joseph is a fruitful vine— a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches run over the wall.” This prophetic imagery depicts explosive population and agricultural wealth overflowing ancestral boundaries — understood in Church of God teaching as finding physical fulfillment in the global expansion of the British Commonwealth and the United States.

23The archers attacked him with bitterness;

they aimed at him in hostility.

24Yet he steadied his bow,

and his strong arms were tempered

by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob,

in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

25by the God of your father who helps you,

and by the Almighty who blesses you,

with blessings of the heavens above,

with blessings of the depths below,

with blessings of the breasts and womb.

26The blessings of your father have surpassed

the blessings of the ancient mountains

and the bounty of the everlasting hills.

May they rest on the head of Joseph,

on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

Genesis 49:23–26 Commentary

Every Attack Against Joseph in This Book Failed:

Genesis 49:23–24 recalls Joseph's intense trials: "The archers bitterly attacked him, and shot at him, and harassed him." This portrays the envy of his brothers and the slander of Potiphar’s wife. But verse 24 (Genesis 49:24) declares the divine victory: “Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob.” God reinforced his grip through every assault.

The Shepherd and Rock of Israel Is the Word:

Joseph’s strength is upheld “by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.” Trace those sacred titles forward across the canon: nearly two millennia later, the Apostle Paul reveals in the New Testament that the supernatural Rock that followed Israel in the wilderness was the Messiah Himself (1 Corinthians 10:4)⁠. In the Gospel of John, Yeshua would explicitly proclaim Himself “the good shepherd” (John 10:11)⁠. Jacob, who had just worshiped God as his lifelong Shepherd in the preceding chapter (Genesis 48:15)⁠, was sustained by the pre-incarnate Word who had met him at Bethel and safely guided him all the way to Egypt.

Joseph's Blessing Is Comprehensive:

In Genesis 49:25–26⁠, the blessings pronounced over Joseph encompass all physical creation: "blessings of the heavens above" (abundant rainfall and weather), "blessings of the deep that lies beneath" (water tables and mineral wealth), and "blessings of the breasts and womb" (exponential population increase). Jacob declares that these blessings prevail above the blessings of his ancestors, reaching "to the bounties of the everlasting hills."

Blessings Transcending Ancient Canaan’s Borders:

This sweeping poetic language cannot possibly be confined to the tiny, war-torn plots of ancient Ephraim and Manasseh in Samaria. It demands a global fulfillment. Church of God theology rightly recognizes that the boundless agricultural, mineral, and industrial wealth possessed by Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was the literal outpouring of this exact prophecy.

27Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;

in the morning he devours the prey,

in the evening he divides the plunder.”

Genesis 49:27 Commentary

Benjamin — The Ravenous Wolf in Norway and Iceland:

Genesis 49:27 concludes the patriarchal blessings with Benjamin: "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder." Church of God prophetic analysis links Benjamin’s warlike tenacity and martial vigor with the Scandinavian peoples, specifically modern Norway and Iceland.

28These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

Genesis 49:28 Commentary

A Dying Prophet Pronounces History in Advance:

Though Jacob’s physical eyesight had nearly failed, his spiritual vision was dazzlingly clear. Under direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, a dying pilgrim summarized the character and geopolitical destiny of twelve distinct nations across three thousand years of world history.

29Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me, all of you, with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 30The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. 31There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. 32The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites.”

Genesis 49:29–32 Commentary

One Final Charge — Bury Me at Machpelah:

Jacob repeats his unwavering command: bury me with my fathers in the Cave of Machpelah in the field of Ephron the Hittite, near Mamre in Canaan. That field had been legally purchased by Abraham twenty-six chapters earlier (Genesis 23:16–20)⁠, serving as the sacred resting place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah. Jacob’s heart remained anchored to the land of promise.

33When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he pulled his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and he was gathered to his people.

Genesis 49:33 Commentary

A Monumental Life Concludes in Peace:

Having delivered his prophetic testament, Jacob draws his feet up into the bed, breathes his last, and is gathered to his people at the age of one hundred and forty-seven — reaching the milestone recorded two chapters earlier in Genesis 47:28⁠. One of the most turbulent, transformative journeys in all Scripture concludes in absolute dignity, resting in the grave awaiting the resurrection of the just.

Genesis 49 Footnotes

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1065 (Deuteronomy 4:30): Deuteronomy 4:30 — When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to YAHWEH your God and listen to His voice.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1066 (Deuteronomy 31:29): Deuteronomy 31:29 — For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and turn from the path I have commanded you. And in the days to come, disaster will befall you because you will do evil in the sight of YAHWEH to provoke Him to anger by the work of your hands.”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1067 (Genesis 35:22): Genesis 35:22 — While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1068 (1 Chronicles 5:1–2): 1 Chronicles 5:1–2 — 1These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. 2 And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1069 (Genesis 29:32–34): Genesis 29:32–34 — 32And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “YAHWEH has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.” 33Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because YAHWEH has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon. 34Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1070 (Joshua 19:1–9): Joshua 19:1–9 — 1The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah 2 and included Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah, 3 Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, 4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, 5 Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, 6 Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities, along with their villages. 7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities, along with their villages, 8 and all the villages surrounding these cities as far as Baalath-beer (Ramah of the Negev). This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Simeon. 9 The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the territory of Judah, because the share for Judah’s descendants was too large for them. So the Simeonites received an inheritance within Judah’s portion.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1071 (1 Kings 12:26–33): 1 Kings 12:26–33 — 26Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of YAHWEH at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 29 One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 30 And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. 31 Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites. 32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar; he made this offering in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had set up, and he installed priests in Bethel for the high places he had set up. 33 On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had set up in Bethel. So he ordained a feast for the Israelites, offered sacrifices on the altar, and burned incense.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1072 (2 Chronicles 11:13–17): 2 Chronicles 11:13–17 — 13Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. 14 For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of YAHWEH. 15 And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made. 16 Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek YAHWEH their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to YAHWEH, the God of their fathers. 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1073 (Genesis 49:8): Genesis 49:8 — Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1074 (Ezekiel 21:27): Ezekiel 21:27 — A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! And it will not be restored until the arrival of Him to whom it belongs, to whom I have assigned the right of judgment.’

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1075 (Genesis 49:10): Genesis 49:10 — The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and the allegiance of the nations is His.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1076 (2 Samuel 7:12–16): 2 Samuel 7:12–16 — 12And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1077 (Matthew 1:1): Matthew 1:1 — This is the record of the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1078 (Luke 1:31–33): Luke 1:31–33 — 31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Yeshua. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord YAHWEH will give Him the throne of His father David, 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1079 (Hebrews 7:14): Hebrews 7:14 — For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priesthood.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1080 (Revelation 5:5): Revelation 5:5 — Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1081 (Zechariah 9:9): Zechariah 9:9 — Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1082 (Matthew 21:5–9): Matthew 21:5–9 — 5“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 So the disciples went and did as Yeshua had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Yeshua sat on them. 8 A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1083 (Isaiah 63:1–6): Isaiah 63:1–6 — 1Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” 2 Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? 3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. 4 For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and the year of My redemption had come. 5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled that no one assisted. So My arm brought Me salvation, and My own wrath upheld Me. 6 I trampled the nations in My anger; in My wrath I made them drunk and poured out their blood on the ground.”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1084 (Revelation 19:13–15): Revelation 19:13–15 — 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. 15 And from His mouth proceeds a sharp double-edged sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1085 (Genesis 49:13): Genesis 49:13 — Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1086 (Genesis 49:16): Genesis 49:16 — Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1087 (1 Kings 12:29–30): 1 Kings 12:29–30 — 29One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 30 And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1088 (Revelation 7:4–8): Revelation 7:4–8 — 4And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: 5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1089 (Genesis 3:1): Genesis 3:1 — Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that YAHWEH God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1090 (Judges 18:27–29): Judges 18:27–29 — 27After they had taken Micah’s idols and his priest, they went to Laish, to a quiet and unsuspecting people, and they struck them with their swords and burned down the city. 28 There was no one to deliver them, because the city was far from Sidon and had no alliance with anyone; it was in a valley near Beth-rehob. And the Danites rebuilt the city and lived there. 29 They named it Dan, after their forefather Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city was formerly named Laish.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1091 (Genesis 49:19): Genesis 49:19 — Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1092 (Genesis 49:20): Genesis 49:20 — Asher’s food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1093 (Genesis 49:21): Genesis 49:21 — Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1094 (Genesis 49:22): Genesis 49:22 — Joseph is a fruitful vine— a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1095 (Genesis 49:23–24): Genesis 49:23–24 — 23The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility. 24Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1096 (1 Corinthians 10:4): 1 Corinthians 10:4 — and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Messiah.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1097 (John 10:11): John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1098 (Genesis 48:15): Genesis 48:15 — Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1099 (Genesis 49:25–26): Genesis 49:25–26 — 25by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above, with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb. 26The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1100 (Genesis 49:27): Genesis 49:27 — Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1101 (Genesis 23:16–20): Genesis 23:16–20 — 16Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants. 17So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over 18to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. 19After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20So the field and its cave were deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1102 (Genesis 47:28): Genesis 47:28 — And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and the length of his life was 147 years.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1265 (Genesis 49:10): Genesis 49:10 — The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and the allegiance of the nations is His.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1266 (Genesis 49:17): Genesis 49:17 — He will be a snake by the road, a viper in the path that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1267 (Genesis 49:24): Genesis 49:24 — Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1577 (Genesis 49:1–2): Genesis 49:1–2 — 1Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around, all of you, that I may tell you all what will happen to you all in the days to come: 2Come together and listen, O sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1578 (Genesis 49:3–4): Genesis 49:3–4 — 3Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. 4Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1579 (Genesis 49:5–7): Genesis 49:5–7 — 5Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. 6May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. 7Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1580 (Genesis 49:8–10): Genesis 49:8–10 — 8Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? 10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and the allegiance of the nations is His.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1581 (Genesis 49:11–12): Genesis 49:11–12 — 11He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. 12His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1582 (Genesis 49:13–15): Genesis 49:13–15 — 13Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon. 14Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. 15He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1583 (Genesis 49:16–17): Genesis 49:16–17 — 16Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. 17He will be a snake by the road, a viper in the path that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1584 (Genesis 49:18): Genesis 49:18 — I await Your salvation, O YAHWEH.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1585 (Genesis 49:19): Genesis 49:19 — Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1586 (Genesis 49:20): Genesis 49:20 — Asher’s food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1587 (Genesis 49:21): Genesis 49:21 — Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1588 (Genesis 49:22): Genesis 49:22 — Joseph is a fruitful vine— a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1589 (Genesis 49:23–26): Genesis 49:23–26 — 23The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility. 24Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above, with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb. 26The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1590 (Genesis 49:27): Genesis 49:27 — Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1591 (Genesis 49:28): Genesis 49:28 — These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1592 (Genesis 49:29–32): Genesis 49:29–32 — 29Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me, all of you, with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 30The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. 31There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. 32The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites.”

Genesis 49 · Footnote 1593 (Genesis 49:33): Genesis 49:33 — When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he pulled his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and he was gathered to his people.