Tyndale Open Study NotesGenesis 49

By faith, and as one who speaks for God, Jacob looked ahead to Israel’s future in the land and beyond to a greater future still.

At the end of the time of the patriarchs (the early fathers of Israel), he spoke about what would happen to each tribe. He did this as he considered each of his sons, one by one, just as Noah had done earlier (compare 9:25–27).

The character and actions of each ancestor affected the lives of their descendants (Exodus 20:5–6; 34:6–7; Numbers 14:18; Jeremiah 32:18).

Jacob's words were carefully chosen prophecies. The days to come refer to the conquest and settlement of the promised land and the future messianic age. All tribes would share in the blessing and enter the land with Joshua. But they would not all participate in the same way.

Uncontrolled as the waters: As the firstborn, Reuben should have led the family. But he acted without control, like water that boils or flows wildly (for example, 35:22). Because of this, Jacob said that Reuben would not succeed as a leader (see 37:21–22, 29; 42:22, 37–38; compare Judges 5:15–16; 1 Chronicles 5:1–2).

• Simeon and Levi were violent and lawless. Instead of seeking justice, they allowed their uncontrolled anger to control them and ignored the value of life (34:24–29).

• I will disperse them: Simeon's land mostly became part of Judah's (Joshua 19:1, 9). Levi was given a more honorable future because the Levites became the priestly tribe (see Exodus 32:25–29). But they did not have their own region (Joshua 21).

The blessing for Judah is the most notable. In this message, Jacob said that Judah would be strong like a lion and would defeat his enemies. His brothers would also honor and praise him (compare 29:35; see, for example, Ruth 4:11–12; 1 Samuel 18:6–7; Psalms 2, 45, 72; Isaiah 11:1–13).

• This verse anticipates the kingship in Judah (compare 17:6, 16; 35:11). Although Joseph received the birthright blessing, Judah would provide Israel's rulers (see 1 Chronicles 5:1–2). Many kings from Judah would hold the scepter, the symbol of rule. The final king would be the one to whom the scepter belongs, the promised Messiah (see 2 Samuel 7:4–16; Psalms 2, 45, 60; Isaiah 11; Ezekiel 21:26–27; Zechariah 9:9; Revelation 5:5).

• from between his feet: This is a poetic way to refer to reproductive organs.

• until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his: This wording reflects a long-standing way of understanding a difficult Hebrew phrase. Other translations include until the coming of the one to whom it belongs or until tribute is brought to him and the peoples obey.

  The right to rule Israel belongs to Judah’s descendant through David’s line (2 Samuel 7:8–16). He will eventually rule all nations, as shown by the bringing of tribute (see Psalms 68:29; 72:8–11; Isaiah 2:2–4; Ephesians 4:8–10).

• These descriptions describe the abundance of the Messiah’s kingdom (see Isaiah 61:6–7; 65:21–25; Zechariah 3:10). When the Messiah arrives, the earth will be like paradise, full of beauty and abundance.

• He ties his donkey to the vine: Grapevines will be so plentiful that people will use them as hitching posts, and wine will be as plentiful as fresh water (see Amos 9:13–14; Zechariah 3:10).

• His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk: He will be strong and healthy, as will be the time of his rule. The miracle of turning water into wine was the first sign from Jesus that the Messiah had arrived (John 2:1–12). It was a preview of even better things to come.

The message said Zebulun would live by the sea and be a safe harbor. But when the land was divided, the tribe settled inland instead (see Joshua 19:10–16). The message did not give specific borders for the tribes.

Issachar would become a tribe that had to do hard work for others. Invading armies often controlled Issachar.

Dan (meaning "judge") was meant to bring justice. But the tribe chose betrayal, like a snake by the road, striking in a dangerous and unexpected way (see Judges 18).

At this point, Jacob paused to speak words of hope. He may have been reminding his sons of their need to depend on the Lord. Or he may have been expressing hope in the Messiah’s reign, when he and his descendants would be rescued from all trouble, grief, and human betrayal.

Three of the six Hebrew words in this verse are wordplays on the name Gad, which means "attack." Gad will be attacked by raiding groups, but he will also attack them back. The tribes living east of the Jordan River often experienced raids on their borders (see Joshua 13; 2 Kings 10:32–33; 1 Chronicles 5:18–19).

Asher would be fertile and productive, providing rich foods. The tribe settled along the rich northern coast of Canaan.

Naphtali was like a doe. This may mean the tribe would live as a free people in the mountains (compare Judges 5:18). The tribe of Naphtali settled in the hill country northwest of the Sea of Galilee.

This 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.

the Mighty One of Jacob … the Shepherd …the Rock of Israel … the God of your father … the Almighty: Five names for God introduce five blessings. God is the giver of all good things.

• The blessings from the heavens brought rain for crops.

• The blessings of the depths below provided streams and wells.

• The blessings of the breasts and womb led to many children.

Joseph … the prince of his brothers: He is a leader among his brothers, showing his strong character and high status.

The oracle about Benjamin describes a violent tribe (see Judges 20; 1 Samuel 9:1–2; 19:10; 22:17).

These prophecies cover a wide range, predicting the future of various tribes in general terms. Individuals could receive great blessings from God through faith and obedience, no matter what happened to their clan.

Bury me with my fathers: This grave in the land of Canaan represented hope for the future (compare 47:29–30). Others buried at the cave of Machpelah near Hebron were:

• Sarah (23:19),

• Abraham (25:7–9),

• Isaac (35:27–29),

• Rebekah, and 

• Leah.

Jacob died at the age of 147 (47:28), bringing his life of struggle and sorrow to an end. Jacob had always had a strong desire for God's blessing. He had a deep devotion and consistently relied on God no matter what happened.

In the end, he died with genuine faith. He learned where true blessings come from. Through his faith, he would be able to pass these blessings on to his sons (Hebrews 11:21).