Jacob's Death: A Testament to God's Fulfilled Promises
The extended description of Jacob's death and burial looks like a sad melodrama, but it is a celebration of the fulfilment of the promises. At Bethel (Luz),God had promised Jacob that he would make him fruitful and give him the land(Genesis 35:11-12). Now, Jacob reflected on how far these promises had come true. He had never expected to see Joseph again, but he had seen his grandsons as well (Genesis 48:11). He also owned land in Canaan: a burial ground at Mamre (Genesis 49:29-32) and a ridge of land captured from the Amorites (Genesis 48:21-22).
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Central Benjamin Plateau with possible locations of Bethel (aerial view from the south). The encounter with God to which Jacob referred was his dream of angels ascending and descending. This happened at a location called Luz, which was renamed Bethel by Jacob after his encounter there with God (Gen 28:19). Ancient Bethel was located on the north side of the Central Benjamin Plateau. While its general location is well-established, the exact location is still in dispute.
Genesis 35:11-12 CSB: [11] God also said to him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation, indeed an assembly of nations, will come from you, and kings will descend from you. , [12] I will give to you the land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac. And I will give the land to your future descendants.”
Genesis 48:11 CSB: Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, but now God has even let me see your offspring.”
Genesis 49:29-32 CSB: [29] Then he commanded them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my ancestors in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hethite. [30] The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hethite as burial property. [31] Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried there, Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried there, and I buried Leah there. [32] The field and the cave in it were purchased from the Hethites.”
Excavation around the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron.
Genesis 48:21-22 CSB: [21] Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. [22] Over and above what I am giving your brothers, I am giving you the one mountain slope that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”
Jacob’s Blessings: A Prophetic Vision of Israel’s Future
These, however, were just a foretaste of future fulfilment. Jacob's adoptions of Ephraim and Manasseh as his children presage their future roles as two of the tribes descended from Jacob's sons Simeon and Reuben (Genesis 48:5).
Jacob blessing Ephraim and Manasseh, by Benjamin West, Circa 1767.
In Genesis chapter 49, Jacob looked further ahead, and he foresaw all his sons becoming tribes and settling in different parts of Canaan. Judah would be famed for wine growing, Zebulum for seafaring, and Asher for its rich harvests (Genesis 49:11, 13, 20). After having painted a picture of the Israelis' glorious future in Canaan and again insisting that he was to be buried there, Jacob died. In Genesis chapter 49, we see the blessing of Jacob, though not all his sentiments are blessings (e.g. Genesis 49:3-7), and it is one of the oldest poems in the Old Testament. As many of the comments relate to incidents in Genesis, it seems to have been composed as a unit and is not just a collection of originally independent sayings. In it, Jacob reflects on the past and future achievements of his sons, roughly in order of their birth. It is, therefore, one of the earliest prophetic texts in the Old Testament. But as often in prophetic poetry, some of the words are obscure and their translation difficult.
Genesis 48:5 CSB: Your two sons born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt are now mine. Ephraim and Manasseh belong to me just as Reuben and Simeon do.
Genesis 49:11, 13, 20 CSB: [11] He ties his donkey to a vine, and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes. [13] Zebulun will live by the seashore and will be a harbor for ships, and his territory will be next to Sidon. [20] Asher’s food will be rich, and he will produce royal delicacies.
Genesis 49:3-7 CSB: [3] Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the firstfruits of my virility, excelling in prominence, excelling in power. [4] Turbulent as water, you will not excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it #— #he got into my bed. [5] Simeon and Levi are brothers; their knives are vicious weapons. [6] May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For in their anger they kill men, and on a whim they hamstring oxen. [7] Their anger is cursed, for it is strong, and their fury, for it is cruel! I will disperse them throughout Jacob and scatter them throughout Israel.
Jacob’s Burial: A Foreshadowing of Israel’s Exodus
After a grand Egyptian funeral, Jacob's corpse was taken in a solemn procession to Canaan. This was not simply his sons carrying out his last wishes but an acted prophecy of the Exodus, when all his descendants would leave Egypt and return to the promised land. Even an unusual route was taken through the Dead Sea and entering Canaan from the East, which seems to foreshadow the path taken by the Israelites led by Moses and Joshua. Similarly, when Joseph died, he made them take an oath to 'carry his bones up from this place' (Genesis 50:25). Thus, Genesis ends on a note of expectation, indeed of certainty, that the promises first made to Abraham, then repeated to his son and grandson, will be fulfilled.
Genesis 50:25 CSB: So Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath: “When God comes to your aid, you are to carry my bones up from here.”
The Fulfillment of Promises: From Joseph to the Messiah
Possession of the land is, however, only one aspect of the promises made to Abraham, and these final chapters are also concerned with other issues. Jacob's death raised again the question of relations between Joseph and his brothers, who wondered if he would use the opportunity to wreak his revenge. Shocked by the suggestion, Joseph reiterated his view of the situation, 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish...the saving of many lives' (Genesis 50:20 and Genesis 45:5-8). It was through Abraham's descendants that all nations would find blessing, and this was partially fulfilled in Joseph's career as a famine relief organizer, but the blessing of Jacob looked yet further ahead.
The traditional tomb of Joseph in Shechem, circa 1890.
Genesis 50:20 CSB: You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result #— #the survival of many people.
Genesis 45:5-8 CSB: [5] And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. [6] For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. [7] God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. [8] Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
The Prophetic Fulfillment: From Judah’s Ruler to the Second Coming of Christ
From Judah would come a ruler of the nations, whose era would come to a ruler of the nations, whose era would prove so prosperous that 'He will tether his donkey to a vine and wash his garments in wine (Genesis 49:11). In a preliminary way, this prophecy was fulfilled in the prosperity of David and Solomon, but in a fuller way by our Lord at his first coming. It will be fulfilled completely at his second advent. This refers to the Christian belief that Jesus Christ will return to Earth after his ascension, and this return, known as the Second Coming or Parousia, marks the ultimate fulfilment of prophecies and promises. Thus, Jacob and Joseph died in hope - 'They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance...they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one' (Hebrews 11:13, 16,40) Indeed, one that all who trust in God will share with them.
Genesis 49:11 CSB: He ties his donkey to a vine, and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes.
Hebrews 11:13, 16, 40 CSB: [13] These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. [16] But they now desire a better place #— #a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. [40] since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
Application
The concluding chapters of the book focus on Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons, his final words to his sons, and the deaths of Jacob and Joseph, highlighting God's faithfulness and the continuation of his promises to the Israelites. As we have read in the past few chapters concerning Jacob, his spiritual vision is very sharp for his sons, especially for Joseph and for his sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob blessing Ephraim, the younger son, first shows that God's plan is not based on how humans plan or the way we expect things to be. We also see that Joseph forgives his brothers despite the harm his brothers did to him, forgives them and assures them that God meant their actions for good, demonstrating his character and God's sovereignty. Overall, we see that the events in Genesis 48-50 highlight God's sovereignty and his ability to bring good out of difficult circumstances, even when humans fail to understand his plan.
Key Note
Adopting Grandsons - Genesis 48:5-6
Adopting grandsons, thereby putting them on a par with sons, is known elsewhere in the ancient Near East.
Genesis 48:5-6 CSB: [5] Your two sons born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt are now mine. Ephraim and Manasseh belong to me just as Reuben and Simeon do. [6] Children born to you after them will be yours and will be recorded under the names of their brothers with regard to their inheritance.
Jacob's questions - Genesis 48:8
Jacob's questions, 'Who are these?' may have been prompted by his blindness or be a legal requirement in an adoption rite.
Genesis 48:8 CSB: When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these? ”
Jacob's Prayer - Genesis 48:11
Jacob's plaintive prayer (Genesis 43:14) has been answered beyond all he expected (Ephesians 3:20).
Genesis 48:11 CSB: Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, but now God has even let me see your offspring.”
Genesis 43:14 CSB: May God Almighty cause the man to be merciful to you so that he will release your other brother and Benjamin to you. As for me, if I am deprived of my sons, then I am deprived.”
Ephesians 3:20 CSB: Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.
Blessing Manasseh and Ephraim - Genesis 48:13-20
The right-hand side was the place of honour and blessing in Bible times (Deuteronomy 11:29 and Matthew 25:33). Jacob deliberately promoted the younger Ephraim over the firstborn Manasseh, a frequent pattern in Genesis. (Genesis 4:1-8, Genesis 38:27-30 and Genesis chapter 27).
"Ephraim Street" sign in Jerusalem. Since Ephraim was the most prominent of the two tribes of Joseph. “Ephraim Street” is located in the Baka neighbourhood, southwest of the Old City.
Genesis 48:13-20 CSB: [13] Then Joseph took them both #— #with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel’s left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel’s right #— #and brought them to Israel. [14] But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger, and crossing his hands, put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn. [15] Then he blessed Joseph and said: The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, [16] the angel who has redeemed me from all harm — may he bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow to be numerous within the land. [17] When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he thought it was a mistake and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. [18] Joseph said to his father, “Not that way, my father! This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” [19] But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know! He too will become a tribe, and he too will be great; nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a populous nation.” [20] So he blessed them that day, putting Ephraim before Manasseh when he said, “The nation Israel will invoke blessings by you, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ ”
Deuteronomy 11:29 CSB: When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim the blessing at Mount Gerizim and the curse at Mount Ebal.
Matthew 25:33 CSB: He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left.
Genesis 4:1-8 CSB: [1] The man was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.” [2] She also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. [3] In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. [4] And Abel also presented an offering #— #some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, [5] but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent. [6] Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? [7] If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” [8] Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Genesis 38:27-30 CSB: [27] When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb. [28] As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand, and the midwife took it and tied a scarlet thread around it, announcing, “This one came out first.” [29] But then he pulled his hand back, out came his brother, and she said, “What a breakout you have made for yourself! ” So he was named Perez. , [30] Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread tied to his hand, came out, and was named Zerah.
Shechem - Genesis 48:22
This seems to be a reference to the conquest of the city of Shechem by Jacob's sons (Genesis 34:25-29). Jacob had bought land nearby (Genesis 33:18-19), and Joseph was subsequently buried in this area (Joshua 24:32).
Genesis 48:22 CSB: Over and above what I am giving your brothers, I am giving you the one mountain slope that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”
Genesis 34:25-29 CSB: [25] On the third day, when they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and killed every male. [26] They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went away. [27] Jacob’s sons came to the slaughter and plundered the city because their sister had been defiled. [28] They took their flocks, herds, donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field. [29] They captured all their possessions, dependents, and wives and plundered everything in the houses.
Genesis 33:18-19 CSB: [18] After Jacob came from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at Shechem in the land of Canaan and camped in front of the city. [19] He purchased a section of the field where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver.
Joshua 24:32 CSB: Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the parcel of land Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. , It was an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants.
Reuben lost his privileges - Genesis 49:3-4
Like other older sons (Cain, Ishmael and Esau), Reuben lost his privileged position because of his sin (Genesis 35:22).
Genesis 49:3-4 CSB: [3] Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the firstfruits of my virility, excelling in prominence, excelling in power. [4] Turbulent as water, you will not excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it #— #he got into my bed.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Reuben.
Genesis 35:22 CSB: 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.
Simeon and Levi - Genesis 49:5-7
These verses refer to the attacks of Genesis 34:24-29.
Genesis 49:5-7 CSB: [5] Simeon and Levi are brothers; their knives are vicious weapons. [6] May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For in their anger they kill men, and on a whim they hamstring oxen. [7] Their anger is cursed, for it is strong, and their fury, for it is cruel! I will disperse them throughout Jacob and scatter them throughout Israel.
Mosaic represents the tribe of Simeon.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Levi.
Genesis 34:24-29 CSB: [24] All the men who had come to the city gates listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and all those men were circumcised. [25] On the third day, when they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and killed every male. [26] They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went away. [27] Jacob’s sons came to the slaughter and plundered the city because their sister had been defiled. [28] They took their flocks, herds, donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field. [29] They captured all their possessions, dependents, and wives and plundered everything in the houses.
Hamor and Shechem - Genesis 49:6
In Canaanite literature, leaders are sometimes referred to as bulls, so hamstringing oxen may refer to the killing of the leaders, Hamor and Shechem, or be a way of describing the inconvenience Jacob suffered as a result of the attack (Genesis 34:30).
Genesis 34:30 CSB: Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me, making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”
Genesis 49:6 CSB: May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For in their anger they kill men, and on a whim they hamstring oxen.
Levites - Genesis 49:7
The Levites were given territory of their own, just forty-eight Levitical cities. The tribe of Simeon was absorbed by Judah (Joshua 19:1-9, 21).
Genesis 49:7 CSB: Their anger is cursed, for it is strong, and their fury, for it is cruel! I will disperse them throughout Jacob and scatter them throughout Israel.
Joshua 19:1-9, 21 CSB: [1] The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of his descendants by their clans, but their inheritance was within the inheritance given to Judah’s descendants. [2] Their inheritance included Beer-sheba (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, with their settlements; [7] Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan #— #four cities, with their settlements; [8] and all the settlements surrounding these cities as far as Baalath-beer (Ramah in the south ). This was the inheritance of the tribe of Simeon’s descendants by their clans. [9] The inheritance of Simeon’s descendants was within the territory of Judah’s descendants, because the share for Judah’s descendants was too large. So Simeon’s descendants received an inheritance within Judah’s portion. [21] Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez.
Judah - Genesis 49:8-12
Although the general sense of this blessing is clear (it predicts Judah's supremacy among the tribes), many details are uncertain.
Genesis 49:8-12 CSB: [8] Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. [9] Judah is a young lion — my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness #— #who dares to rouse him? [10] The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until he whose right it is comes , and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him. [11] He ties his donkey to a vine, and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes. [12] His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.
Your Hand will be on your Enemies - Genesis 49:8
'Your hand will be on your enemies', i.e. you will defeat them.
Genesis 49:8 CSB: Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you.
The Lion of Judah - Genesis 49:9
Judah would be as dangerous to challenge as a lion guarding its prey. This is the origin of the phrase 'The Lion of Judah.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Judah.
Genesis 49:9 CSB: Judah is a young lion — my son, you return from the kill. He crouches; he lies down like a lion or a lioness #— #who dares to rouse him?
Judah’s Descendant - Genesis 49:10
Judah would likely have a descendant (from between his feet) who would rule the nation. (sceptre and staff were symbols of authority). A slight emendation of 'until he comes to whom it belongs' would give 'until tribute is brought to him'. The exact interpretation of this line is very difficult, but nearly every suggestion amounts to regarding it as a prediction of the Davidic Empire, in which many nations would obey the king from Judah. (Psalms 72:8-11). This king was to be a forerunner of the Son of David to whom all nations would submit (Philippians 2:10-11).
Genesis 49:10 CSB: The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until he whose right it is comes , and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him.
Psalms 72:8-11 CSB: [8] May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. [9] May desert tribes kneel before him and his enemies lick the dust. [10] May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. [11] Let all kings bow in homage to him, all nations serve him.
Philippians 2:10-11 CSB: [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth — [11] and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Donkey to a Vine - Genesis 49:11
The grapes haven't been so abundant in those days that the Davidic king would not worry about his donkey eating the grapes when tethered to the choicest vine. 'He will wash his garments in wine' is another image of wine in plenty (Leviticus 26:5).
Genesis 49:11 CSB: He ties his donkey to a vine, and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine and his robes in the blood of grapes.
Leviticus 26:5 CSB: Your threshing will continue until grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until sowing time; you will have plenty of food to eat and live securely in your land.
Leader's Beauty - Genesis 49:12
This is probably an image of the leader's beauty.
Genesis 49:12 CSB: His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.
Zebulun - Genesis 49:13
The tribe of Zebulun was allotted territory in inland Galilee, and we do not know when or how long they lived on the coast.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Zebulun.
Genesis 49:13 CSB: Zebulun will live by the seashore and will be a harbor for ships, and his territory will be next to Sidon.
Isaachar - Genesis 49:14-15
These verses seem to reflect a stage in Isaachar's history when they were enslaved to the Canaanites.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Issachar.
Genesis 49:14-15 CSB: [14] Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between the saddlebags. [15] He saw that his resting place was good and that the land was pleasant, so he leaned his shoulder to bear a load and became a forced laborer.
Dan - Genesis 49:16-17
These verses look forward to the military successes of the tribe Dan, which benefited the nation of Israel, Samson's exploits (Judges chapter 13-16), and the conquest of Laish (Genesis 18:27).
Mosaic representing the tribe of Dan.
Genesis 49:16-17 CSB: [16] Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. [17] Dan will be a snake by the road, a viper beside the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward.
Genesis 18:27 CSB: Then Abraham answered, “Since I have ventured to speak to my lord #— #even though I am dust and ashes.
Jacob Prayed for Them - Genesis 49:18
Despite the minor successes described in the Book of Judges, the period after the conquest was difficult for the nation, so Jacob prayed for them.
Genesis 49:18 CSB: I wait for your salvation, Lord.
Gad - Genesis 49:19
Gad was a frontier tribe and often involved in war.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Gad.
Genesis 49:19 CSB: Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.
Asher - Genesis 49: 20
Asher's fertile land produced food fit for kings.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Asher.
Genesis 49:20 CSB: Asher’s food will be rich, and he will produce royal delicacies.
Naphtali - Genesis 49:21
This is perhaps a picture of Naphtali gradually settling down in Canaan.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Naphtali.
Genesis 49:21 CSB: Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.
Vigour and Strength - Genesis 49:22
The image, whether that of a wild ass or (less likely) a fruitful vine, expressed the tribe's vigour and strength.
Mosaic representing the tribe of Joseph.
Genesis 49:22 CSB: Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine beside a spring; its branches climb over the wall.
Opposition Joseph Faced - Genesis 49:23-24
These verses probably refer to the opposition Joseph faced throughout his career. But his opponents were eventually silenced by God.
Genesis 49:23-24 CSB: [23] The archers attacked him, shot at him, and were hostile toward him. [24] Yet his bow remained steady, and his strong arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.
Divine Blessing - Genesis 49:25-26
Note the mention of 'bless'/' blessing' six times in these verses. This is one of the keywords in Genesis. Here, divine blessing is especially manifested in abundant water supplied, i.e. rain (the heavens), springs (the deep), in many children (breast and womb) and fertile hipptops.
Genesis 49:25-26 CSB: [25] by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, and blessings of the breasts and the womb. [26] The blessings of your father excel the blessings of my ancestors and the bounty of the ancient hills. , May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.
Benjaminite - Genesis 49:27
This verse probably refers to the military exploits of Benjaminite warriors. (Judges 3:15-30 and Judges 5:14) and possibly Saul (1 Samuel 10-14).
Mosaic representing the tribe of Benjamin.
Genesis 49:27 CSB: Benjamin is a wolf; he tears his prey. In the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the plunder.
Judges 3:15-30 CSB: [15] Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him with the tribute for King Eglon of Moab. [16] Ehud made himself a double-edged sword eighteen inches long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes [17] and brought the tribute to King Eglon of Moab, who was an extremely fat man. [18] When Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he dismissed the people who had carried it. [19] At the carved images near Gilgal he returned and said, “King Eglon, I have a secret message for you.” The king said, “Silence! ” and all his attendants left him. [20] Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in his upstairs room where it was cool. Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you,” and the king stood up from his throne. [21] Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. [22] Even the handle went in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And the waste came out. [23] Ehud escaped by way of the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upstairs room behind him. [24] Ehud was gone when Eglon’s servants came in. They looked and found the doors of the upstairs room locked and thought he was relieving himself in the cool room. [25] The servants waited until they became embarrassed and saw that he had still not opened the doors of the upstairs room. So they took the key and opened the doors #— #and there was their lord lying dead on the floor! [26] Ehud escaped while the servants waited. He passed the Jordan near the carved images and reached Seirah. [27] After he arrived, he sounded the ram’s horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hill country, and he became their leader. [28] He told them, “Follow me, because the Lord has handed over your enemies, the Moabites, to you.” So they followed him, captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over. [29] At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all stout and able-bodied men. Not one of them escaped. [30] Moab became subject to Israel that day, and the land had peace for eighty years.
Judges 5:14 CSB: Those with their roots in Amalek came from Ephraim; Benjamin came with your people after you. The leaders came down from Machir, and those who carry a marshal’s staff came from Zebulun.
Rebekah and Leah - Genesis 49:31
This is the only mention of the burials of Rebekah and Leah (Genesis 23:19, Genesis 25:9 and Genesis 35:29).
Genesis 49:31 CSB: Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried there, Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried there, and I buried Leah there.
Genesis 23:19 CSB: After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.
Cenotaph of Jacob at Machpelah in Hebron. This photograph was taken from what is now the Jewish side of the Machpelah complex.
Genesis 25:9 CSB: His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hethite.
The Machpelah enclosure at Hebron.
Genesis 35:29 CSB: He took his last breath and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Mummification - Genesis 50:2-3
Mummification shows Jacob's high status in Egypt.
Genesis 50:2-3 CSB: [2] He commanded his servants who were physicians to embalm his father. So they embalmed Israel. [3] They took forty days to complete this, for embalming takes that long, and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.
Atad - Genesis 50:10
'The threshing-floor of Atad' was somewhere near Canaan's border, perhaps near Gaza or Jericho. If the latter, it would imply the funeral procession took a similar route to the Israelites in the exodus.
Ascent of Abummim, Wadi Qilt, and Jericho (aerial view from the east) his son carried.
Genesis 50:10 CSB: When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wept loudly, and Joseph mourned seven days for his father.
Joseph's brothers - Genesis 50:15-17
It is usually supposed that Joseph's brothers made up this last message of Jacob, but we cannot be sure.
Genesis 50:15-17 CSB: [15] When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said to one another, “If Joseph is holding a grudge against us, he will certainly repay us for all the suffering we caused him.” [16] So they sent this message to Joseph, “Before he died your father gave a command: [17] ‘Say this to Joseph: Please forgive your brothers’ transgression and their sin #— #the suffering they caused you.’ Therefore, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when their message came to him.
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