Genesis 49

What we do today impacts tomorrow. Our actions influence those around us, particularly our children and grandchildren. No one lives within themselves. Our lives and legacies, for better or worse, extend to future generations. Bible scholar Allen Ross states that “it is a fundamental principle in God’s economy that the actions of individuals affect the lives of their descendants. This pattern is clear in the patriarchal narratives, for the deeds and dispositions of the patriarchs were passed on in one way or another to their children.”[1]

In today’s passage we will examine Jacob’s prophecy for his sons, who became the twelve tribes of Israel. Although Jacob was physically blind (Gen. 48:10), he foresaw the future through faith. John Chrysostom, a fourth-century theologian, described this prophecy as coming through “the eyes of [Jacob’s] mind.”^[2]

Genesis 48:21-22
Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers. ²² Moreover, I have given to you rather than to your brothers one mountain slope that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.”

Don’t overlook Jacob’s faith in these verses. He clung firmly to the promises of the covenant God made with Abraham and repeated to Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:1-21; 17:1-14; 22:17-18). One day, the nation of Israel would possess the promised land, and when this was fulfilled, Jacob vowed to give Joseph a portion of land he had taken from the Amorites, who lived in the hill country of Canaan. The Bible doesn’t tell of this battle, but Jacob had secured the land and dug a well there.

In the Hebrew, Jacob uses a play on words. The term translated as “mountain slope” in Hebrew is shekem, which means “a portion of land.” The shekem (a portion of land) is in the area of Shechem. Jacob promises Joseph a shekem, a portion of land, in Shechem. Four hundred years later, when the Israelites carried Joseph’s bones from Egypt to the promised land, he was buried in Shechem in fulfillment of this vow (Josh. 24:32).

Eighteen hundred years after Jacob made this promise to Joseph, the apostle John references this piece of land. In a well-known story, John wrote that Jesus “came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied from his journey, was sitting beside the well” (John 4:5-6). While sitting by Jacob’s well, Jesus offered forgiveness to an adulterous woman, and she recognized him as the Messiah, the One whom God promised would crush Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15). This serves as another reminder of how essential Genesis is to our understanding of the Bible.

In Genesis 49, Moses recounts Jacob’s deathbed prophecy. The dying patriarch gathered his sons around him to tell them their future. I will comment on Jacob’s prophecy about each of his sons, saving Judah for last.

Genesis 49:3-4—Reuben (Mother: Leah)
Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn, but Reuben was “unstable as water” and gave in to his impulses by sleeping with Jacob’s concubine, Bilhah (Gen. 35:22). He would not receive the dignity and power of the firstborn (1 Chron. 5:1-2). The clans of Reuben were characterized by their indecision (Judg. 5:15-16).

Genesis 49:5-7—Simeon and Levi (Mother: Leah)
Jacob described Simeon and Levi as “weapons of violence.” This depiction refers to their massacre of the men in Shechem after the ruler’s son raped their sister, Dinah (Gen. 34:24-29). In their anger, “they killed men and…hamstrung oxen.” Jacob described what they did as “cruel.” The tribe of Judah absorbed the tribe of Simeon (Josh. 19:1). However, Levi was honored as the priestly tribe.

Genesis 49:8-12—Judah (Mother: Leah)
See below for my comments regarding Judah.

Genesis 49:13-15—Zebulun and Issachar (Mother: Leah)
Zebulun was assigned land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee (Josh. 19:10-16). The tribe would benefit from sea trade, even though their allotment did not border any body of water. Issachar was given land in a fertile region and often faced invasions from armies. Although strong like a donkey, the tribe was compelled to work for others.

Genesis 49:16-17—Dan (Mother: Bilhah—Rachel’s servant)
The tribe of Dan fulfilled its calling. They were meant to be a tribe of righteous judges but resembled dangerous snakes along the roadside. During the period of the judges, the Danites were the first to practice idolatry (Judg. 18:30).

Genesis 49:18—Jacob paused the prophecy to request God’s work in his family.

Genesis 49:19—Gad (Mother: Zilpah—Leah’s servant)
Gad will attack and be attacked. His tribe settled east of the Jordan and often experienced raids (1 Chron. 5:18-19).

Genesis 49:20—Asher (Mother: Zilpah—Leah’s servant)
The tribe of Asher settled in Galilee, the northern part of Israel. This area was famous for rich soil and abundant vegetation (Dt. 33:24-25).[3]

Genesis 49:21—Naphtali (Mother: Bilhah—Rachel’s servant)
Naphtali settled northwest of the Sea of Galilee. Deborah sang of them risking their lives “on the heights of the field” (Judg. 5:18).

Genesis 49:22-26—Joseph (Mother: Rachel)
Joseph is the prince among his brothers and is incredibly blessed through Jacob’s prophecy. His tribe was doubly blessed through his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph was attacked, shot at, and harassed, but God kept him safe. In this passage, God is described as the “Mighty One of Jacob,” the “Shepherd,” the “Stone of Israel,” the “God of your father,” and the “Almighty.” Although the brothers attacked Joseph, God protected him, led him, and shepherded him throughout his life.

Genesis 49:27—Benjamin (Mother: Rachel)
Jacob portrayed Benjamin as a “ravenous wolf” devouring prey and dividing the spoil. The tribe occupied the land between Ephraim and Judah, which some describe as a war zone in Israel’s history. The Benjamites became known as a warlike tribe (1 Kgs. 12:21; 2 Chron. 14:8; 17:17).[4] King Saul, Ehud, a left-handed warrior, Mordecai and Esther, and the apostle Paul were all descendants of Benjamin.

I will conclude this chapter by examining the prophecy for Judah. We followed Judah on a detour from God in Genesis 38 when he mistreated his daughter-in-law, Tamar, and was subsequently deceived into fathering a child with her. However, God’s grace redeems our failures. Jacob stated that Judah will be praised by his brothers and rule over them. Judah’s prominence will lead to two mighty kings: David and Solomon. The ruler’s “scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Gen. 49:10). From King David’s lineage, the Messiah—the One God promised would crush Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15)—will emerge. Judah is referred to as a “lion’s cub.” Jesus will be known as the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5).[5]

Bible scholar Allen Ross notes that Jacob’s prophecy hinges on the word “until” (Gen. 49:10b). After that, tribute will come to Jesus, “and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” Many scholars believe the abundance of crops and grapes in the final verses of this prophecy depict the millennial kingdom. During this time, a paradise-like splendor will prevail. One commentator observes that Genesis 49:11-12 “speaks of exuberant, intoxicating abundance: it is the golden age of the Coming One, whose universal rule” will be recognized.^[6]

Another astounding chapter to study! Jacob’s prophecies about Jesus and his earthly reign were proclaimed while Jacob was on his deathbed. Much will occur before that time. But one day, Genesis 49:11-12 will be fully realized!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Genesis 49. As you read this passage, slow down and marvel at the sovereign work of God. His Word is truth, and all his promises will come true.

Talking to God
Talk to God about his work in your future. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but he does. Ask him to give you the confidence that he is your shepherd and protector. Thank him for being the “Mighty One of Jacob,” the “Shepherd,” the “Stone of Israel,” and the “Almighty.”

Have Questions?
This chapter covers a lot, and I couldn’t get to it all. Please share any questions you have. Our team will respond as soon as possible. Submit your question below, and we’ll get back to you shortly.

Two more things:

1. Go to ronmoore.org/lifemap for an exercise that will help you discover how God is writing his story in you. I have included a life map of Joseph that will serve as an example.
2. On February 25 at 7:00 pm, we will meet on a Zoom call to review what we have learned in Genesis and answer questions. A link to the call will be provided if you wish to participate.

[1] Allen Ross, Creation and Blessing (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998), 697.

^[2] K. A. Mathews, Genesis 11:27–50:26, vol. 1B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005), 864.

[3] Archaeology Study Bible (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2017), 81.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Bible scholar K. A. Matthews gives a great overview of the Tribe of Judah: Out of the Davidic household will emerge the messianic king (e.g., Ps 2; 89; Isa 11:1–16; Jer 33:15; Amos 9:1–14), who is Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 1:32–33; Rom 1:3; Rev 22:16). This one tribe maintains its ruling class until the destruction of Jerusalem in the sixth century. It, moreover, is the chief building block for the restoration after the exile. Matching the tribe to the south is “the house of Joseph” in the north (Josh 18:5; Judg 1:22; Zech 10:6). The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh are the most numerous and prosperous in the northern tribes (Hos 13:1). The “house of Joseph” could refer to the whole of the central highlands and northern regions of Israel during the time of Solomon (1 Kgs 11:28). The first royal interloper in Israel’s history, Jeroboam I, was an Ephraimite (1 Kgs 11:26–14:20; cf. 2 Sam 20:21). The Ephraimites exercised rule from the towering capital city Samaria (Isa 7:9), whose role in the north matched Jerusalem’s prominence to the south (e.g., Mic 1:5). God favored Judah over Joseph (Ps 78:67), although Joseph was still loved as though the “firstborn” of the Lord (Jer 31:9). The future for the tribes of Joseph and Judah, however, is restoration under the rule of the Davidic king (Isa 11:10–13). Judah has precedence as the bearer of the ruling “scepter” (49:10). K. A. Mathews, Genesis 11:27–50:26, vol. 1B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005), 864.

^[6] Allen P. Ross, “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 98–99.