God’s Word Translation
Genesis 49:23
23Archers provoked him, shot at him, and attacked him.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely,
- New King James Version (NKJV)The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him.
Context of Genesis 49:23
21“Naphtali is a doe set free that has beautiful fawns. 22“Joseph is a fruitful tree, a fruitful tree by a spring, with branches climbing over a wall. Archers provoked him, shot at him, and attacked him. 24But his bow stayed steady, and his arms remained limber because of the help of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25because of the God of your father who helps you, because of the Almighty who gives you blessings from the heavens above, blessings from the deep springs below the ground, blessings from breasts and 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 37:4Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them. They hated Joseph and couldn’t speak to him on friendly terms.
- Genesis 39:7After a while his master’s wife began to desire Joseph, so she said, “Come to bed with me.”
- Genesis 42:21They said to each other, “We’re surely being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw how troubled he was when he pleaded with us for mercy, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in trouble now.”
- Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like swords. They aim bitter words like arrows
- Psalms 118:13They pushed hard to make me fall, but the Lord helped me.
- John 16:33I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
- Acts 14:22They strengthened the disciples in these cities and encouraged the disciples to remain faithful. Paul and Barnabas told them, “We must suffer a lot to enter God’s kingdom.”
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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