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Genesis chapter 49

English Standard Version

1Then Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.
2"Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father. 3"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. 4Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father 's bed; then you defiled it — he went up to my couch! 5 "Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. 6Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. 7Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. 8"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. 9Judah is a lion 's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? 10The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler 's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. 11Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey 's colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. 12His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. 13 "Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon. 14 "Issachar is a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds. 15He saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant at forced labor. 16 "Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. 17Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse 's heels so that his rider falls backward. 18I wait for your salvation, O Lord. 19 "Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels. 20 "Asher 's food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies. 21 "Naphtali is a doe let loose that bears beautiful fawns. 22"Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. 23The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely, 24yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), 25 by the God of your father who will help you, by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents, up to the bounties of the everlasting hills. May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers. 27 "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey and at evening dividing the spoil." 28All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him. 29Then he commanded them and said to them, "I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. 31There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah — 32the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites." 33When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.
New International Version

1Then Jacob called for his sons and said: "Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.
2"Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel. 3"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
4Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it. 5"Simeon and Levi are brothers— their swords are weapons of violence. 6Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.
7Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel. 8"Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. 9You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. 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 ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. 11He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.
12His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.
13"Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon. 14"Issachar is a rawboned donkey lying down among the sheep pens.
15When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor. 16"Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.
17Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward.
18"I look for your deliverance, Lord.
19"Gad will be attacked by a band of raiders, but he will attack them at their heels.
20"Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.
21"Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns. 22"Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb.
26Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers. 27"Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder."
28All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.
29Then he gave them these instructions: "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. 31There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. 32The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites. "
33When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.
New American Standard Bible

1Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, 'Assemble yourselves, so that I may tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.
2Gather together and listen, sons of Jacob; Yes, listen to Israel your father. 3'Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. 4 Uncontrollable as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch. 5'Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. 6May my soul not enter into their council; May my glory not be united with their assembly; For in their anger they killed men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. 7Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel. I will scatter them in Jacob, And disperse them among Israel. 8'As for you, Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9Judah is a lion’s cub; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares to stir him up? 10The scepter will not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. 11He ties his foal to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine; He washes his garments in wine, And his robes in the blood of grapes. 12His eyes are dull from wine, And his teeth white from milk. 13'Zebulun will reside at the seashore; And he shall be a harbor for ships, And his flank shall be toward Sidon. 14'Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between the sheepfolds. 15When he saw that a resting place was good And that the land was pleasant, He bowed his shoulder to carry burdens, And became a slave at forced labor. 16'Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel. 17Dan shall be a serpent in the way, A horned viper in the path, That bites the horse’s heels, So that its rider falls backward. 18For Your salvation I wait, Lord. 19'As for Gad, a band of raiders shall attack him, But he will attack at their heels. 20'As for Asher, his food shall be rich, And he will yield royal delicacies. 21'Naphtali is a doe let loose; He utters beautiful words. 22'Joseph is a fruitful branch, A fruitful branch by a spring; Its branches hang over a wall. 23The archers provoked him, And shot at him and were hostile toward him; 24But his bow remained firm, And his arms were agile, From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), 25From the God of your father who helps you, And by the Almighty who blesses you With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26The blessings of your father Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors Up to the furthest boundary of the everlasting hills; May they be on the head of Joseph, And on the top of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers. 27'Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he devours the prey, And in the evening he divides the spoils.'
28All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him. 29Then he commanded them and said to them, 'I am about to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is opposite Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. 31There they buried Abraham and his wife Sarah, there they buried Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there I buried Leah— 32the field and the cave that is in it, purchased from the sons of Heth.' 33When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.
Christian Standard Bible

1Then Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather around, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.
2Come together and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel: 3Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the firstfruits of my virility, excelling in prominence, excelling in power.
4Turbulent as water, you will not excel, because you got into your father’s bed and you defiled it—he got into my bed. 5Simeon and Levi are brothers; their knives are vicious weapons. 6May 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.
7Their 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. 8Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. 9Judah 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? 10The 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. 11He 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.
12His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.
13Zebulun will live by the seashore and will be a harbor for ships, and his territory will be next to Sidon. 14Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between the saddlebags.
15He 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. 16Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.
17Dan will be a snake by the road, a viper beside the path, that bites the horses’ heels so that its rider falls backward.
18I wait for your salvation, Lord.
19Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.
20Asher’s food will be rich, and he will produce royal delicacies.
21Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns. 22Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine beside a spring; its branches climb over the wall. 23The archers attacked him, shot at him, and were hostile toward him. 24Yet 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, 25by 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.
26The 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. 27Benjamin is a wolf; he tears his prey. In the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the plunder."
28These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this is what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.
29Then he commanded them: "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hethite. 30The 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. 31Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried there, Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried there, and I buried Leah there. 32The field and the cave in it were purchased from the Hethites." 33When Jacob had finished giving charges to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, took his last breath, and was gathered to his people.
New Living Translation

1Then Jacob called together all his sons and said, 'Gather around me, and I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come.
2'Come and listen, you sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.
3'Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength, the child of my vigorous youth. You are first in rank and first in power. 4But you are as unruly as a flood, and you will be first no longer. For you went to bed with my wife; you defiled my marriage couch.
5'Simeon and Levi are two of a kind; their weapons are instruments of violence. 6May I never join in their meetings; may I never be a party to their plans. For in their anger they murdered men, and they crippled oxen just for sport. 7A curse on their anger, for it is fierce; a curse on their wrath, for it is cruel. I will scatter them among the descendants of Jacob; I will disperse them throughout Israel.
8'Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. 9Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its 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 ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor. 11He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. 12His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.
13'Zebulun will settle by the seashore and will be a harbor for ships; his borders will extend to Sidon.
14'Issachar is a sturdy donkey, resting between two saddlepacks. 15When he sees how good the countryside is and how pleasant the land, he will bend his shoulder to the load and submit himself to hard labor.
16'Dan will govern his people, like any other tribe in Israel. 17Dan will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous viper along the path that bites the horse’s hooves so its rider is thrown off. 18I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!
19'Gad will be attacked by marauding bands, but he will attack them when they retreat.
20'Asher will dine on rich foods and produce food fit for kings.
21'Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.
22'Joseph is the foal of a wild donkey, the foal of a wild donkey at a spring — one of the wild donkeys on the ridge. 23Archers attacked him savagely; they shot at him and harassed him. 24But his bow remained taut, and his arms were strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. 25May the God of your father help you; may the Almighty bless you with the blessings of the heavens above, and blessings of the watery depths below, and blessings of the breasts and womb. 26May my fatherly blessings on you surpass the blessings of my ancestors, reaching to the heights of the eternal hills. May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph, who is a prince among his brothers.
27'Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, devouring his enemies in the morning and dividing his plunder in the evening.'
28These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said as he told his sons good-bye. He blessed each one with an appropriate message.
29Then Jacob instructed them, 'Soon I will die and join my ancestors. Bury me with my father and grandfather in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 30This is the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a permanent burial site. 31There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried. There Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, are buried. And there I buried Leah. 32It is the plot of land and the cave that my grandfather Abraham bought from the Hittites.'
33When Jacob had finished this charge to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and joined his ancestors in death.
King James Version

1And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. 2Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
3Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
4Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
5Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.
6O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
7Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
8Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
9Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
11Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:
12His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
13Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
14Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
15And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
16Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.
17Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
18I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.
19Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
20Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
21Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.
22Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
23The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
24But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
25Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
26The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
27Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. 28All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
29And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace. 31There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. 32The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth.
33And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.
New King James Version

1And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days:
2“Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father. 3“Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. 4Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it— He went up to my couch. 5“Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. 6 Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. 7Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel. 8“Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. 9Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. 11Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes. 12His eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth whiter than milk. 13“Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea; He shall become a haven for ships, And his border shall adjoin Sidon. 14“Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between two burdens; 15He saw that rest was good, And that the land was pleasant; He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden, And became a band of slaves. 16“Dan shall judge his people As one of the tribes of Israel. 17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, A viper by the path, That bites the horse’s heels So that its rider shall fall backward. 18 I have waited for your salvation, O Lord! 19“Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, But he shall triumph at last. 20“Bread from Asher shall be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties. 21“Naphtali is a deer let loose; He uses beautiful words. 22“Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall. 23The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him. 24But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), 25 By the God of your father who will help you, And by the Almighty who will bless you With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26The blessings of your father Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers. 27“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he shall devour the prey, And at night he shall divide the spoil.”
28All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.
29Then he charged them and said to them: “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place. 31There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. 32The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth.” 33And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

What does Genesis chapter 49 mean?

Before he dies, Jacob urgently seeks to complete two important pieces of business with his twelve sons. First, he wishes to give a prophetic message appropriate to each. While these are titled "blessings," not all are positive. These are presented more as predictions than bestowing favors. Second, he wants to command them to bury his body in Canaan and not in Egypt.

The predictions given here are in a style often termed a "prophetic oracle." Using poetic language and metaphors, Jacob will reveal a small part of the future of each son's descendants. Each son's family will become one of the tribes of Israel. This oracle will serve many purposes for the people of Israel. During the centuries of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1:7–14), Jacob's deathbed oracle will point to a future when they take possession of the Promised Land of Canaan. Afterwards, it will serve as a reminder. God's plan has been in place since the beginning, and He is faithful to bless His people (Genesis 49:1–2).

Jacob fathered twelve sons with four women: his wives Leah and Rachel, and their servants Bilhah and Zilpah (Genesis 35:23–26). In this passage, only the first four and last two sons are addressed in exact accordance with birth order. However, there is still an arrangement to Jacob's speech. The first six sons addressed—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, and Issachar—are the naturally-born sons of Leah. The next four—Dan, Gad, Asher, and Naphtali—are sons carried through surrogacy by Rachel and Leah's servants. The last two—Joseph and Benjamin—are the naturally-born sons of Jacob's dearest wife, Rachel.

The first three predictions from Jacob are harsh. He holds Reuben, Simeon, and Levi accountable for sins committed decades earlier. The tribes descended from them will be less esteemed, as a result. Reuben is vilified for sleeping with his father's concubine (Genesis 35:22). This causes him to lose his esteemed position as the firstborn. His tribe will be noted for indecisiveness. Simeon and Levi are closely linked in their violent, vengeful personalities, for which both are condemned. The most notable evidence of this was their deceptive and sadistic response to the rape of their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34:1–2, 13–15, 25–29). Neither tribe will come to possess much of the Promised Land; the tribe of Levi will become priests with no established territory of their own (Genesis 49:3–7).

In contrast, Judah's tribe will become great. This fourth son of Jacob will be the ancestor of most of Israel's kings and rulers. In fact, the kingship will remain with Judah forever. Much later in history, Jesus, the Messiah, descended from Judah and King David, will also be known as the Lion of Judah. Part of Jacob's prediction is a prophecy about Messiah and the everlasting nature of His rule (Genesis 49:8–12).

Brief mentions are made of the futures of the tribes of Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. Zebulun will be associated, in some way, with sea trading. Issachar will be known for hard work and possibly enslavement. Dan is cryptically described as a lurking serpent, possibly a reference to military skill. The oracle about Gad uses rhyming Hebrew words to imply conflict. Asher's prediction involves food. Naphtali is associated with independence and beauty. In the middle of these prophecies, Jacob exclaims his desire to see God's salvation (Genesis 49:13–21).

Jacob saves his greatest blessing for Joseph and the people to come from him. Having already given the family blessing to Joseph's two sons (Genesis 48:5–6), Jacob now includes Joseph specifically. His people will be fruitful and fight off their attackers in the strength of the Mighty One of Jacob. Notable Old Testament warriors such as Joshua, Gideon, and Deborah will be from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Further, all the material blessings of the earth will come to them (Genesis 49:22–26).

The final prediction is for Jacob's youngest son, Benjamin. His people are compared to a voracious, vicious predator. The Benjaminites would be known for their military accomplishments. They would also be associated with a horrific incident (Judges 19:25–27) which sparked a civil war (Judges 20). The first king of Israel, Saul, would be from this tribe, and his rule would be marked by a predatory, violent streak. After the extensive praise given to Joseph, this brief remark seems anticlimactic (Genesis 49:27).

In the moments before he dies, Jacob urgently commands his sons not to bury him in Egypt. Rather, they are to take his remains to the family burial cave. This location near Mamre was purchased by Abraham, one of the few spots in Canaan owned outright by God's people. Buried there are Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob's first wife Leah. His sons must bury him there alongside them (Genesis 49:28–32).

With his business finished, Jacob dies (Genesis 49:33).
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