Genesis 49:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

NIV: His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.

NASB: His eyes are dull from wine, And his teeth white from milk.

CSB: His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

NLT: His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

KJV: His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

NKJV: His eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth whiter than milk.

This concludes Jacob's oracle about the future of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:8–11). Jacob (Genesis 49:1–2) has described Judah's leadership over the other tribes, their military victory, and the rise of a line of kings. He has also hinted at the eventual arrival of the "lion of Judah," the Messiah Himself (Revelation 5:5). Jacob has pointed to a time, under the reign of a powerful king, when there will be unimaginable prosperity (Genesis 49:11).

Continuing the poetic language, Jacob compares the eyes of Judah's future descendants to wine. This may be a reference to attractiveness. Some believe this is better translated as "dark with wine," another reference to how wine is easily available in their land. Their teeth may be "whiter than milk" from drinking abundant amounts of milk or this may be another suggestion that Judah's descendants will be attractive, prosperous people.

Genesis 49:8–12 contains Jacob's blessings and predictions about his fourth son, Judah. In part, this is a Messianic prophecy. The nation of Israel (Genesis 35:10–11) will eventually be ruled by descendants of the tribe of Judah. Ultimately, this will include the earthly reign of the Promised One, Jesus Christ.

Genesis 49 contains Jacob's dying prophetic remarks. In the form of poetry, Jacob pronounces positive and negative "blessings" about each of his 12 sons and the people who will come from them. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are each held to account for their past sins. Judah is described as a lion; the kingly line will come from his people. Joseph and his descendants are lavished with blessings. Once the oracle is completed, Jacob commands his sons to bury him with his fathers in Canaan. Then, the man God named "Israel" (Genesis 35:10–11) dies.

After a life of struggle and controversy, Jacob's family has securely settled in Egypt. Genesis 48 told of Jacob's blessing on Joseph's two oldest sons: Ephraim and Manasseh. In Genesis 49, Jacob gives both positive and negative predictions to each of his sons, in turn. Jacob then commands his sons to bury him in Canaan, then dies. The final chapter of Genesis describes the family's mourning and Joseph's death. The opening verses of Exodus race forward some 400 years, as the nation of Israel falls into harsh slavery under new Egyptian rulers (Exodus 1:8–14).

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 4/29/2024 3:28:17 AM