English Standard Version
Genesis 49:23
23The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely,
Genesis 49:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
- New International Version (NIV)With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Archers attacked him savagely; they shot at him and harassed him.
Context of Genesis 49:23
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. The 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), 25by 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.
Read all of Genesis 49Genesis 49:23 word by word
וַֽיְמָרֲרֻ֖הוּ וָרֹ֑בּוּ וַֽיִּשְׂטְמֻ֖הוּ בַּעֲלֵ֥י חִצִּֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Genesis 49:23
- Genesis 37:4But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
- Genesis 39:7And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me."
- Genesis 42:21Then they said to one another, "In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us."
- Psalms 64:3who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
- Psalms 118:13I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
- John 16:33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
- Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Commentaries on Genesis 49:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The chief archers - חצים בעלי baaley chitstsim, the masters of arrows - Joseph's brethren, who either used such weapons, while feeding their flocks in the deserts, for the protection of themselves and cattle, or for the purpose of hunting; and who probably excelled in archery. It may however refer to the bitter speeches and harsh words that they spoke to and of him, for they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him, Genesis 37:4. Thus they sorely…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-33Verses 1-33 - Jacob Blesses His Sons 5. מכרה mekêrāh “weapon;” related: כיר kārar or כרה kārāh dig. “Device, design?” related: מכר mākar “sell,” in Arabic “take counsel. Habitation.” 10. מחקק mechoqēq “lawgiver, judge, dispenser of laws.” This word occurs in six other places - Numbers 21:18; Deuteronomy 33:21; Jud. Deuteronomy 5:14; Psalm 60:9; Psalm 108:9; Isaiah 33:22; in five of which it clearly denotes ruler, or judge. The meaning “sceptre” is…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-27Verses 22-27 The blessing of Joseph is very full. What Jacob says of him, is history as well as prophecy. Jacob reminds him of the difficulties and fiery darts of temptations he had formerly struggled through. His faith did not fail, but through his trials he bore all his burdens with firmness, and did not do anything unbecoming. All our strength for resisting temptations, and bearing afflictions, comes from God; his grace is sufficient. Joseph became the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-26This message about Joseph is longer and more detailed than the others, because it contains the main blessing(see 1 Chronicles 5:1–2). Jacob gave Joseph many promises of victory and success. Some from the tribe of Ephraim who later won victories in battle include Joshua (Joshua 6, 8, 10, 12) and Deborah (Judges 4). From the tribe of Manasseh, Gideon (Judges 6–8) and Jephthah (Judges 11:1–12:7) were also victorious leaders.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-331. Jacob called unto his sons--It is not to the sayings of the dying saint, so much as of the inspired prophet, that attention is called in this chapter. Under the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit he pronounced his prophetic benediction and described the condition of their respective descendants in the last days, or future times. Ge 49:3, 4. Reuben forfeited by his crime the rights and honors of primogeniture. His posterity never made any figure; no…Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 49:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 49
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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