Genesis 49 | King James Version

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Chapter Explanation

Explanations (0)

The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.

Genesis 49:1
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you [that] which shall befall you in the last days.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-2

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:2
Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-2

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: John Chrysostom
Rank: Bishop
AD: 407

John Chrysostom

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:3
Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

Verses that belong to this explanation: 3-7

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: John Chrysostom
Rank: Bishop
AD: 407

John Chrysostom

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:4
Unstable 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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 3-7

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: John Chrysostom
Rank: Bishop
AD: 407

John Chrysostom

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ephrem The Syrian
Rank: Monk
AD: 373

Ephrem The Syrian

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:5
Simeon and Levi [are] brethren; instruments of cruelty [are in] their habitations.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 3-7

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

This he says regarding the conspiracy into which they were to enter against the Lord. And that he means this conspiracy, is evident to us. For the blessed David sings, Rulers have taken counsel together against the Lord, and so forth. And of this conspiracy the Spirit prophesied, saying, Let not my soul contend, desiring to draw them off, if possible, so that that future crime might not happen through them. They slew men, and houghed the bull; by the strong bull he means Christ. And they houghed, since, when He was suspended on the tree, they pierced through His sinews. Again, in their anger they houghed a bull. And mark the nicety of the expression: for they slew men, and houghed a bull. For they killed the saints, and they remain dead, awaiting the time of the resurrection. But as a young bull, so to speak, when houghed, sinks down to the ground, such was Christ in submitting voluntarily to the death of the flesh; but He was not overcome of death. But though as man He became one of the dead, He remained alive in the nature of divinity. For Christ is the bull,— an animal, above all, strong and neat and devoted to sacred use. And the Son is Lord of all power, who did no sin, but rather offered Himself for us, a savour of a sweet smell to His God and Father. Therefore let those hear who houghed this august bull: Cursed be their anger, for it was stubborn; and their wrath, for it was hardened. Genesis 49:7 But this people of the Jews dared to boast of houghing the bull: Our hands shed this. For this is nothing different, I think, from the word of folly: His blood (be upon us), and so forth.Matthew 27:25 Moses recalls Deuteronomy 33:8 the curse against Levi, or, rather converts it into a blessing, on account of the subsequent zeal of the tribe, and of Phinehas in particular, in behalf of God. But that against Simeon he did not recall. Wherefore it also was fulfilled in deed. For Simeon did not obtain an inheritance like the other tribes, for he dwelt in the midst of Judah. Yet his tribe was preserved, although it was small in numbers.

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

This he says regarding the conspiracy into which they were to enter against the Lord. And that he means this conspiracy, is evident to us. For the blessed David sings, “Rulers have taken counsel together against the Lord,” and so forth. And of this conspiracy the Spirit prophesied, saying, “Let not my soul contend,” desiring to draw them off, if possible, so that that future crime might not happen through them. “They slew men, and houghed the bull;” by the “strong bull” he means Christ. And “they houghed,” since, when He was suspended on the tree, they pierced through His sinews. Again, “in their anger they houghed a bull.” And mark the nicety of the expression: for “they slew men, and houghed a bull.” For they killed the saints, and they remain dead, awaiting the time of the resurrection. But as a young bull, so to speak, when houghed, sinks down to the ground, such was Christ in submitting voluntarily to the death of the flesh; but He was not overcome of death. But though as man He became one of the dead, He remained alive in the nature of divinity. For Christ is the bull,—an animal, above all, strong and neat and devoted to sacred use. And the Son is Lord of all power, who did no sin, but rather offered Himself for us, a savour of a sweet smell to His God and Father. Therefore let those hear who houghed this august bull: “Cursed be their anger, for it was stubborn; and their wrath, for it was hardened.” But this people of the Jews dared to boast of houghing the bull: “Our hands shed this.” For this is nothing different, I think, from the word of folly: “His blood” (be upon us), and so forth. Moses recalls the curse against Levi, or, rather converts it into a blessing, on account of the subsequent zeal of the tribe, and of Phinehas in particular, in behalf of God. But that against Simeon he did not recall. Wherefore it also was fulfilled in deed. For Simeon did not obtain an inheritance like the other tribes, for he dwelt in the midst of Judah. Yet his tribe was preserved, although it was small in number.

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ephrem The Syrian
Rank: Monk
AD: 373

Ephrem The Syrian

Genesis 49

For the brothers supplied the reasons for their own misfortune when they claimed to their father that they, although young in years, were vindicators and avengers of a wrong done to the sense of respect and of a violation of chastity. Surely the holy Jacob could not have condemned the fact that they did not permit their sister to be unavenged, in the position of a harlot, who had lost her virginity and did not have the consolation of a vindication. This is especially the case, seeing that Jacob himself approved the deed; for when he had possession of Shechem, he gave it at his death to his most beloved son Joseph and said to him, “I give to you above all your brothers Shechem in particular, which I took from the hands of the Amorites with my sword and bow.” The act is undeniable; still, we can interpret that by “Shechem” are meant “shoulders” and by “shoulders” are meant “works.” Therefore Jacob chose the holy Joseph before the others as heir to his good works, for the other brothers could not match his works. Who indeed could match Christ’s deeds? Moreover Christ, being unspotted and chaste, has carried back the spoils of victory from this earthly sojourn and from the instigators of impurity. With heavenly words and the sword of the Spirit he has taken a place that was free of debaucheries and outrages, for a dwelling of the saints …. It is the tribes then that are meant by the names of the patriarchs. From the tribe of Simeon come the scribes, from that of Levi the chief priests, who brought their wickedness to completion and filled up the entire measure of their fathers’ unholiness in the passion of the Lord. They took counsel against the Lord Jesus, to kill him, even as Isaiah says, “Alas for their souls! Because they have counseled an evil counsel against themselves, saying, ‘Let us bind the just one, for he is profitless to us.’ ” They killed the prophets and apostles who announced the coming of the Lord of salvation and preached his glorious passion and resurrection.

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:6
O 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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 3-7

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: John Chrysostom
Rank: Bishop
AD: 407

John Chrysostom

Genesis 49

Author: John Chrysostom
Rank: Bishop
AD: 407

John Chrysostom

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:7
Cursed [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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 3-7

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:8
Judah, 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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 8-12

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

In these blessings, the way that they expressly introduced the listeners to the prophecy concerning the incarnation of our Savior is extremely clear. At the beginning of the blessing the meaning of the name itself is set before the reader’s eyes, and also the fact that the tribe of Judah was superior to all the others for its glory. If one wants to interpret the name Judah, it means “praise” or “hymn” or “celebrated with hymns.” These words therefore must be referred to Christ, who obviously is from the tribe of Judah according to the flesh. He was born from Judah, Jesse and David and from that virgin who was assumed for the generation of the flesh …. You must be praised, and to God you will give back the glory that is due him. No one else is suited to be glorified but only the living and wellknown God. Even though you appeared human and emptied yourself, you are known to be holy and eternal. Your brothers according to human nature will not be related to you as man but rather will praise you as Lord, though placed among your brothers, and will glorify you as Creator, though you have placed yourself with them among the creatures. They will recognize you as the Lord and the King, even though you appeared veiled under the “form of a slave.” Moreover, he foretold the fact that the Immanuel would have overcome all those who opposed him … saying, “Your hands on the back of your enemies.” And Christ himself, through the voice of David, foretold the same thing. He said, “I will pursue my enemies and will take them, and I will not return until they are defeated. I will crush them, and they will not be able to stand but will fall under my feet.” Then Jacob said rightly, “His hands will be on the back of his enemies,” that is, as those of the one pursuing rather than those of one fleeing, as those of the one striking rather than those of one who is struck. What is declared in the book of the Psalms is true: “The enemy shall have no advantage against him, and the son of iniquity shall not hurt him again.” If he gives us the power to “tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy,” how can we not be confident that he has under his control those who want to oppose him and to exalt themselves impiously? The divine Jacob foretold that Christ cannot flee but only pursue and that he would defeat everyone effortlessly (in fact, he conquered the world), when he said, “Your hands will be on the back of your enemies, and the children of your father will adore you.” ,

Author: Cyril of Alexandria
Rank: Pope
AD: 444

Cyril of Alexandria

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:9
Judah [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?

Verses that belong to this explanation: 8-12

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Cyril of Jerusalem
AD: 386

Cyril of Jerusalem

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:10
The 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].

Verses that belong to this explanation: 8-12

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:11
Binding 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:

Verses that belong to this explanation: 8-12

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: John Chrysostom
Rank: Bishop
AD: 407

John Chrysostom

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ephrem The Syrian
Rank: Monk
AD: 373

Ephrem The Syrian

Genesis 49

Author: Clement Of Alexandria
Rank: Author
AD: 215

Clement Of Alexandria

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:12
His eyes [shall be] red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 8-12

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

HIPPOLYTUS: That is, his eyes are brilliant as with the word of truth; for they regard all who believe upon him. And his teeth are white as milk—that denotes the luminous power of his words: for this reason he calls them white, and compares them to milk, as that which nourishes the flesh and the soul. And Zabulun is, by interpretation, fragrance and blessing. Then, after something from Cyril: HIPPOLYTUS: Again, I think, it mystically signifies the sacraments of the New Testament of our Saviour; and the words, his teeth are white as milk, denote the excellency and purity of the sacramental food. And again, these words, his teeth are white as milk, we take in the sense that His words give light to those who believe in Him. And in saying, moreover, that Zabulun will dwell by the sea, he speaks prophetically of his territory as bordering on the sea, and of Israel as mingling with the Gentiles, the two nations being brought as it were into one flock. And this is manifest in the Gospel. The land of Zabulun, and the land of Nephthalim, etc. And you will mark more fully the richness of his lot as having both inland territory and seaboard. And he is by a haven of ships; that is, as in a safe anchorage, referring to Christ, the anchor of hope. And this denotes the calling of the Gentiles— that the grace of Christ shall go forth to the whole earth and sea. For he says, And (he is) by a haven of ships, and shall extend as far as Sidon. And that this is said prophetically of the Church of the Gentiles, is made apparent to us in the Gospel: The land of Zabulun, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light. Matthew 4:15-16 In saying, then, that he, namely Zabulun, would inhabit a territory bordering on the sea, he plainly confirmed that, just as if he had said that in the future Israel would mingle with the Gentiles, the two peoples being brought together into one fold and under the hand of one chief Shepherd, the good (Shepherd) by nature, that is, Christ. In blessing him Moses said, Zabulun shall rejoice. Deuteronomy 33:18 And Moses prophesies, that in the allocation of the land he should have abundance ministered of the good things both of land and sea, under the hand of One. By a haven of ships; that is, as in an anchorage that proves safe, referring to Christ, the anchor of hope. For by His grace he shall come forth out of many a tempest, and shall be brought hereafter to land, like ships secure in harbours. Besides, he said that he extends as far even as Sidon, indicating, as it seems, that so complete a unity will be effected in the spirit's course between the two peoples, that those of the blood of Israel shall occupy those very cities which once were exceeding guilty in the sight of God. After something from Cyril: HIPPOLYTUS: And that the land was fat; that is, the flesh of our Lord: fat, that is, rich; for it flows with honey and milk. The parts of the land are marked off for an inheritance and possession to him— that means the doctrine of the Lord. For this is a pleasant rest, as He says Himself: Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, Matthew 11:28 etc. For they who keep the commandments, and do not disclaim the ordinances of the law, enjoy rest both in them and in the doctrine of our Lord; and that is the meaning of in the midst of the lots. As the Lord says, I am not come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfil them. Matthew 5:17 For even our Lord, in the fact that He keeps the commandments, does not destroy the law and the prophets, but fulfils them, as He says in the Gospels. He set his shoulder to toil, and became a husbandman. This the apostles did. Having received power from God, and having set themselves to labour, they became husbandmen of the Lord, cultivating the earth— that is, the human race— with the preaching of our Lord.

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

That is, his eyes are brilliant as with the word of truth; for they regard all who believe upon him. And his teeth are white as milk;—that denotes the luminous power of his words: for this reason he calls them white, and compares them to milk, as that which nourishes the flesh and the soul. And Zabulun is, by interpretation, “fragrance” and “blessing.” Again, I think, it mystically signifies the sacraments of the New Testament of our Saviour; and the words, “his teeth are white as milk,” denote the excellency and purity of the sacramental food. And again, these words, “his teeth are white as milk,” we take in the sense that His words give light to those who believe on Him. And in saying, moreover, that Zabulun will dwell by the sea, he speaks prophetically of his territory as bordering on the sea, and of Israel as mingling with the Gentiles, the two nations being brought as it were into one flock. And this is manifest in the Gospel. “The land of Zabulun, and the land of Nephthalim,” etc. And you will mark more fully the richness of his lot as having both inland territory and seaboard. “And he is by a haven of ships;” that is, as in a safe anchorage, referring to Christ, the anchor of hope. And this denotes the calling of the Gentiles—that the grace of Christ shall go forth to the whole earth and sea. For he says, “And (he is) by a haven of ships, and shall extend as far as Sidon.” And that this is said prophetically of the Church of the Gentiles, is made apparent to us in the Gospel: “The land of Zabulun, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light.” In saying, then, that he, namely Zabulun, would inhabit a territory bordering on the sea, he plainly confirmed that, just as if he had said that in the future Israel would mingle with the Gentiles, the two peoples being brought together into one fold and under the hand of one chief Shepherd, the good (Shepherd) by nature, that is, Christ. In blessing him Moses said, “Zabulun shall rejoice.” And Moses prophesies, that in the allocation of the land he should have abundance ministered of the good things both of land and sea, under the hand of One. “By a haven of ships;” that is, as in an anchorage that proves safe, referring to Christ, the anchor of hope. For by His grace he shall come forth out of many a tempest, and shall be brought hereafter to land, like ships secure in harbours. Besides, he said that “he extends as far even as Sidon,” indicating, as it seems, that so complete a unity will be effected in the spirit’s course between the two peoples, that those of the blood of Israel shall occupy those very cities which once were exceeding guilty in the sight of God. And “that the land was fat;” that is, the flesh of our Lord: “fat,” that is, “rich;” for it flows with honey and milk. The parts of the land are marked off for an inheritance and possession to him—that means the doctrine of the Lord. For this is a pleasant rest, as He says Himself: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,” etc. For they who keep the commandments, and do not disclaim the ordinances of the law, enjoy rest both in them and in the doctrine of our Lord; and that is the meaning of “in the midst of the lots.” As the Lord says, “I am not come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfil them.” For even our Lord, in the fact that He keeps the commandments, does not destroy the law and the prophets, but fulfils them, as He says in the Gospels. “He set his shoulder to toil, and became a husbandman.” This the apostles did. Having received power from God, and having set themselves to labour, they became husbandmen of the Lord, cultivating the earth—that is, the human race—with the preaching of our Lord.

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Clement Of Alexandria
Rank: Author
AD: 215

Clement Of Alexandria

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:13
Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he [shall be] for an haven of ships; and his border [shall be] unto Zidon.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 13-18

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:14
Issachar [is] a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

Verses that belong to this explanation: 13-18

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Above we have taken into consideration that one who erred because of the threefold impulse of the soul (as a weakness of the entire soul), which is divided into carnal passion symbolized by Reuben, into anger symbolized by Simeon and into illdirected prudence symbolized by Levi. But then we have shown this person when he repents in the figure of Judah and is largely converted in the figure of Zebulun. In Issachar, which means “reward,” we see this man wait for the reward of his good works; and since he has not only driven away the evil but has also wished for the good, he rests in the midst of his lots. In the midst is the one who, according to the warning of the Wisdom, turns neither to the left nor the right, that is, who stays and walks on the right path of virtue. Here the “lots” can be interpreted in this manner: “lot” is understood as that which allows people to obtain a part of the inheritance. This does not appear to happen casually, as the pagans think, but is decreed by the judgment and the division of God. Therefore in this moral explanation we must understand the “lots” to be the commandments of God through which the heavenly inheritance will be obtained. So this already converted man hopes in the reward for his actions and rests in the midst of the lots, that is, in the midst of the commandments of God, “seeing that the rest is good and that the land is fertile.” After driving away and suppressing the internal fight of his thoughts, which lasted as long as the flesh in him opposed the desires of the spirit and the spirit those of the flesh, his spirit eventually took rest in God. He has seen that the rest is good, since Jesus could by now say to him, “Come and rest awhile.” But he also sees that the land is good. When did he see that the land is good? When he purified his flesh from vices and passions, he saw that the land was fertile and fruitful …. We must consider him to be a farmer of his land. He is the one who constantly breaks and furrows with the plough of the Word of God and with the ploughshare of Scripture the fields of his soul and the fallow lands of his heart, and waters the plantations of faith, of charity, of hope and justice with the springs of Israel, and employs any method of agriculture in the field of his soul.

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:15
And 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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 13-18

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:16
Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 13-18

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

After something from Cyril, Apollinaris, and Diodorus:— HIPPOLYTUS: The Lord is represented to us as a horseman; and the heel points us to the last times. And His falling denotes His death; as it is written in the Gospel: Behold, this (child) is set for the fall and rising again of many. Luke 2:34 We take the robber to be the traitor. Nor was there any other traitor to the Lord save the (Jewish) people. Shall rob him, i.e., shall plot against him. At the heels: that refers to the help of the Lord against those who lie in wait against Him. And again, the words at the heels denote that the Lord will take vengeance swiftly. He shall be well armed in the foot (heel), and shall overtake and rob the robber's troop. AQUILA: Girded, he shall gird himself; that means that as a man of arms and war he shall arm himself. And he shall be armed in the heel: he means this rather, that Gad shall follow behind his brethren in arms. For though his lot was beyond Jordan, yet they (the men of that tribe) were enjoined to follow their brethren in arms until they too got their lots. Or perhaps he meant this, that Gad's tribesmen were to live in the mummer of robbers, and that he was to take up a confederacy of freebooters, which is just a robber's troop, and to follow them, practising piracy, which is robbery, along with them. Whereas, on the abolition of the shadow in the law, and the introduction of the worship in spirit and truth, the world had need of greater light, at last, with this object, the inspired disciples were called, and put in possession of the lot of the teachers of the law. For thus did God speak with regard to the mother of the Jews— that is to say, Jerusalem— by the voice of the Psalmist: Instead of your fathers were your sons; that is, to those called your sons was given the position of fathers. And with regard to our Lord Jesus Christ in particular: You will appoint them rulers over all the earth. Yet presently their authority will not be by any means void of trouble to them. Nay rather, they were to experience unnumbered ills and they were to be in perplexity; and the course of their apostleship they were by no means to find free of peril, as he intimated indeed by way of an example, when he said, Let (Dan) be, meaning by that, that there shall be a multitude of persecutors in Dan like a serpent lying by the way on the path, stinging the horse's heel, i.e., giving fierce and dangerous bites; for the bites of snakes are generally very dangerous. And they were in the heel in particular. for he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. And some did persecute the holy apostles in this way even to the death of the flesh. And thus we may say that their position was something like that when a horse stumbles and flings out his heels. For in such a case the horseman will be thrown, and, falling to the ground, I suppose, he waits thus for some one alive. And thus, too, the inspired apostles survive and wait for the time of their redemption, when they shall be called into a kingdom which cannot be moved, when Christ addresses them with the word, Come, you blessed of my Father, ' etc. And again, if any one will take the words as meaning, not that there will be some lying in wait against Dan like serpents, but that this Dan himself lies in wait against others, we may say that those meant thereby are the scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites who, while in possession of the power of judgment and instruction among the people, fastened like snakes upon Christ, and strove impiously to compass His fall, vexing Him with their stings as He held on in His lofty and gentle course. But if that horseman did indeed fall, He fell at least of His own will, voluntarily enduring the death of the flesh. And, moreover, it was destined that He should come to life again, having the Father as His helper and conductor. For the Son, being the power of God the Father, endued the temple of His own body again with life. Thus is He said to have been saved by the Father, as He stood in peril as a man, though by nature He is God, and Himself maintains the whole creation, visible and invisible, in a state of wellbeing. In this sense, also, the inspired Paul says of Him: Though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. 2 Corinthians 13:4 Aser obtained the parts about Ptolemais and Sidon. Wherefore he says, His bread shall be fat, and he shall furnish dainties to princes. This we take to be a figure of our calling; for fat means rich. And whose bread is rich, if not ours? For the Lord is out bread, as He says Himself: I am the bread of life. John 6:35 And who else will furnish dainties to princes but our Lord Jesus Christ?— not only to the believing among the Gentiles, but also to those of the circumcision, who are first in the faith, to wit, to the fathers, and the patriarchs, and the prophets, and to all who believe in His name and passion.

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ephrem The Syrian
Rank: Monk
AD: 373

Ephrem The Syrian

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:17
Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 13-18

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:18
I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 13-18

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:19
Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 19-21

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:20
Out of Asher his bread [shall be] fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 19-21

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

“Asher, his bread is rich, and he will furnish food to princes.” Asher in our tongue means “riches.” Who then is rich except where there is the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God? Who is rich but the Lord Jesus, who always abounds and never fails? He came into this world a poor man and abounds in all things; he has filled all people. How mighty he is in riches, for he has made all people rich by his poverty! But Christ was poor for our sakes, and rich with the Father. He was poor to deliver us from want, as the apostle teaches when he says, “Being rich, he became poor for your sakes, that by his poverty you might become rich.” His poverty enriches, the fringe of his garment heals, his hunger satisfies, his death gives life, his burial gives resurrection. Therefore he is a rich treasure, for his bread is rich. And “rich” is apt, for one who has eaten this bread will be unable to feel hunger. He gave it to the apostles to distribute to a believing people, and today Christ gives it to us, for he, as a priest, daily consecrates it with his own words. Therefore this bread has become the food of the saints. Likewise we can take the Lord himself, who has given us his own flesh, just as he said, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the desert and have died. But this is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that if anyone eat of it he will not die.” … Moses too delivered a very appropriate prophecy when he said, in his blessings, “Asher is blessed with children and will be acceptable to his brothers, and he shall dip his foot in oil. His shoe shall be iron and brass, and as your days are, so will your powers be. There is not anyone as is your God in heaven, your helper and the mighty Lord of the firmament and the God of the highest, protecting you, and through the strength of his powerful arms he casts out your enemy from your presence, saying, ‘Let him perish.’ And Israel shall dwell securely alone upon the land, Jacob in grain and wine, and heaven shall be misty with dew for you.”

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:21
Naphtali [is] a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 19-21

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

HIPPOLYTUS: Who is the son goodly and envied, even to this day, but our Lord Jesus Christ? An object of envy is He indeed to those who choose to hate Him, yet He is not by any means to be overcome. For though He endured the cross, yet as God He returned to life, having trampled upon death, as His God and Father addresses Him, and says, Sit at my fight band. And that even those are brought to nought who strive with the utmost possible madness against Him, he has taught us, when he says, Against Him the archers took counsel together, and reviled Him. For the archers— that is, the leaders of the people— did convene their assemblies, and take bitter counsel. But their bows were broken, and the sinews of their arms were relaxed, by the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, that is to say, by God the Father, who is the Lord of power, who also made His Son blessed in heaven and on earth. And he (Naphtali) is adopted as a figure of things pertaining to us, as the Gospel shows: The land of Zabulun, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Matthew 4:15 etc.; and, To them that sat in darkness light has arisen. Matthew 4:17 And what other light was this but the calling of the Gentiles, which is the trunk, i.e., the tree of the Lord, in whom engrafted it bears fruit? And the word, giving increase of beauty in the case of the shoot, expresses the excellency of our calling. And if the words, giving increase of beauty in the case of the shoot, are understood, as perhaps they may, with reference to its, the clause is still quite intelligible. For, by progressing in virtue, and attaining to better things, reaching forth to those things which are before, Philippians 3:15 according to the word of the blessed Paul, we rise ever to the higher beauty. I mean, however, of course, spiritual beauty, so that to us too it may be said hereafter, The King greatly desired your beauty. After something from Apollinaris:— HIPPOLYTUS: The word of prophecy passes again to Immanuel Himself. For, in my opinion, what is intended by it is just what has been already stated in the words, giving increase of beauty in the case of the shoot. For he means that He increased and grew up into that which He had been from the beginning, and indicates the return to the glory which He had by nature. This, if we apprehend it correctly, is (we should say) just restored to Him. For as the only begotten Word of God, being God of God, emptied Himself, according to the Scriptures, humbling Himself of His own will to that which He was not before, and took unto Himself this vile flesh, and appeared in the form of a servant, and became obedient to God the Father, even unto death, so hereafter He is said to be highly exalted; and as if nearly He had it not by reason of His humanity, and as if it were in the way of grace, He receives the name which is above every name, Philippians 2:7-9 according to the word of the blessed Paul. But the matter, in truth, was not a giving, as for the first time, of what He had not by nature; far otherwise. But rather we must understand a return and restoration to that which existed in Him at the beginning, essentially and inseparably. And it is for this reason that, when He had assumed, by divine arrangement, the lowly estate of humanity, He said, Father, glorify me with the glory which I had, John 17:5 etc. For He who was co-existent with His Father before all time. and before the foundation of the world, always had the glory proper to Godhead. He too may very well be understood as the youngest (son). For He appeared in the last times, after the glorious and honourable company of the holy prophets, and simply once, after all those who, previous to the time of His sojourn, were reckoned in the number of sons by reason of excellence. That Immanuel, however, was an object of envy, is a somewhat doubtful phrase. Yet He is an object of envy or emulation to the saints, who aspire to follow His footsteps, and conform themselves to His divine beauty, and make Him the pattern of their conduct, and win thereby their highest glory. And again, He is an object of envy in another sense—an object of ill-will, namely, to those who are declared not to love Him. I refer to the leading parties among the Jews—the scribes, in truth, and the Pharisees—who travailed with bitter envy against Him, and made the glory of which He could not be spoiled the ground of their slander, and assailed Him in many ways. For Christ indeed raised the dead to life again, when they already stank and were corrupt; and He displayed other signs of divinity. And these should have filled them with wonder, and have made them ready to believe, and to doubt no longer. Yet this was not the case with them; but they were consumed with ill-will, and nursed its bitter pangs in their mind. After something from Cyril:— HIPPOLYTUS: Who else is this than as is shown us by the apostle, the second man, the Lord from heaven? And in the Gospel,Matthew 21:31 He said that he who did the will of the Father was the last. And by the words, Turn back to me, is meant His ascension to His Father in heaven after His passion. And in the phrase, Against Him they took counsel together, and reviled Him, who are intended but just the people in their opposition to our Lord? And as to the words, they pressed Him sore, who pressed Him, and to this day still press Him sore? Those— these archers, namely— who think to contend against the Lord. But though they prevailed to put Him to death, yet their bows were broken with might. This plainly means, that after the resurrection their bows were broken with might. And those intended are the leaders of the people, who set themselves in array against Him, and, as it were, sharpened the points of their weapons. But they failed to transfix Him, though they did what was unlawful, and dared to assail Him even in the manner of wild beasts. You prevailed above the blessings of abiding mountains. By eternal and abiding mountains and everlasting hills, he means the saints, because they are lifted above the earth, and make no account of the things that perish, but seek the things that are above, and aspire earnestly to rise to the highest virtues. After the glory of Christ, therefore, are those of the Fathers who were most illustrious, and reached the greatest elevation in virtue. These, however, were but servants; but the Lord, the Son, supplied them with the means by which they became illustrious. Wherefore also they acknowledge (the truth of this word), Out of His fullness have all we received. John 1:16 And my God helped you. This indicates clearly that the aid and support of the Son came from no one else but our God and Father in heaven. And by the word my God, is meant that the Spirit speaks by Jacob. Genesis 48:3-4 EUSEBIUS: The sinews of the arms. He could not say, of the hands or shoulders; but since the broad central parts of the bow are termed arms, he says appropriately arms. HIPPOLYTUS: Blessings of the breasts and womb. By this is meant that the true blessing from heaven is the Spirit descending through the Word upon flesh. And by breasts and womb he means the blessings of the Virgin. And by that of your father and your mother, he means also the blessing of the Father which we have received in the Church through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Who is the son goodly and envied, even to this day, but our Lord Jesus Christ? An object of envy is He indeed to those who choose to hate Him, yet He is not by any means to be overcome. For though He endured the cross, yet as God He returned to life, having trampled upon death, as His God and Father addresses Him, and says, “Sit Thou at my right hand.” And that even those are brought to nought who strive with the utmost possible madness against Him, he has taught us, when he says, “Against Him the archers took counsel together, and reviled Him.” For the “archers”—that is, the leaders of the people—did convene their assemblies, and take bitter counsel. “But their bows were broken, and the sinews of their arms were relaxed, by the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,” that is to say, by God the Father, who is the Lord of power, who also made His Son blessed in heaven and on earth. And he (Naphtali) is adopted as a figure of things pertaining to us, as the Gospel shows: “The land of Zabulun, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan,” etc.; and, “To them that sat in darkness light has arisen.” And what other light was this but the calling of the Gentiles, which is the trunk, i.e., the tree of the Lord, in whom engrafted it bears fruit? And the word, “giving increase of beauty in the case of the shoot,” expresses the excellency of our calling. And if the words, “giving increase of beauty in the case of the shoot,” are understood, as perhaps they may, with reference to us, the clause is still quite intelligible. For, by progressing in virtue, and attaining to better things, “reaching forth to those things which are before,” according to the word of the blessed Paul, we rise ever to the higher beauty. I mean, however, of course, spiritual beauty, so that to us too it may be said hereafter, “The King greatly desired thy beauty.” The word of prophecy passes again to Immanuel Himself. For, in my opinion, what is intended by it is just what has been already stated in the words, “giving increase of beauty in the case of the shoot.” For he means that He increased and grew up into that which He had been from the beginning, and indicates the return to the glory which He had by nature. This, if we apprehend it correctly, is (we should say) just “restored” to Him. For as the only begotten Word of God, being God of God, emptied Himself, according to the Scriptures, humbling Himself of His own will to that which He was not before, and took unto Himself this vile flesh, and appeared in the “form of a servant,” and “became obedient to God the Father, even unto death,” so hereafter He is said to be “highly exalted;” and as if well-nigh He had it not by reason of His humanity, and as if it were in the way of grace, He “receives the name which is above every name,” according to the word of the blessed Paul. But the matter, in truth, was not a “giving,” as for the first time, of what He had not by nature; far otherwise. But rather we must understand a return and restoration to that which existed in Him at the beginning, essentially and inseparably. And it is for this reason that, when He had assumed, by divine arrangement, the lowly estate of humanity, He said, “Father, glorify me with the glory which I had,” etc. For He who was co-existent with His Father before all time. and before the foundation of the world, always had the glory proper to Godhead. “He” too may very well be understood as the “youngest (son).” For He appeared in the last times, after the glorious and honourable company of the holy prophets, and simply once, after all those who, previous to the time of His sojourn, were reckoned in the number of sons by reason of excellence. That Immanuel, however, was an” object of envy,” is a somewhat doubtful phrase. Yet He is an “object of envy” or “emulation” to the saints, who aspire to follow His footsteps, and conform themselves to His divine beauty, and make Him the pattern of their conduct, and win thereby their highest glory. And again, He is an “object of envy” in another sense,—an “object of ill-will,” namely, to those who are declared not to love Him. I refer to the leading parties among the Jews,—the scribes, in sooth, and the Pharisees,—who travailed with bitter envy against Him, and made the glory of which He could not be spoiled the ground of their slander, and assailed Him in many ways. For Christ indeed raised the dead to life again, when they already stank and were corrupt; and He displayed other signs of divinity. And these should have filled them with wonder, and have made them ready to believe, and to doubt no longer. Yet this was not the case with them; but they were consumed with ill-will, and nursed its bitter pangs in their mind. Who else is this than as is shown us by the apostle, “the second man, the Lord from heaven?” And in the Gospel, He said that he who did the will of the Father was “the last.” And by the words, “Turn back to me,” is meant His ascension to His Father in heaven after His passion. And in the phrase, “Against Him they took counsel together, and reviled Him,” who are intended but just the people in their opposition to our Lord? And as to the words, “they pressed Him sore,” who pressed Him, and to this day still press Him sore? Those—these “archers,” namely—who think to contend against the Lord. But though they prevailed to put Him to death, yet “their bows were broken with might.” This plainly means, that “after the resurrection” their bows were broken with might. And those intended are the leaders of the people, who set themselves in array against Him, and, as it were, sharpened the points of their weapons. But they failed to transfix Him, though they did what was unlawful, and dared to assail Him even in the manner of wild beasts. “Thou didst prevail above the blessings of abiding mountains.” By “eternal and abiding mountains and everlasting hills,” he means the saints, because they are lifted above the earth, and make no account of the things that perish, but seek the things that are above, and aspire earnestly to rise to the highest virtues. After the glory of Christ, therefore, are those of the Fathers who were most illustrious, and reached the greatest elevation in virtue. These, however, were but servants; but the Lord, the Son, supplied them with the means by which they became illustrious. Wherefore also they acknowledge (the truth of this word), “Out of His fulness have all we received.” “And my God helped thee.” This indicates clearly that the aid and support of the Son came from no one else but our God and Father in heaven. And by the word “my God,” is meant that the Spirit speaks by Jacob. “Blessings of the breasts and womb.” By this is meant that the true blessing from heaven is the Spirit descending through the Word upon flesh. And by “breasts and womb” he means the blessings of the Virgin. And by that of “thy father and thy mother,” he means also the blessing of the Father which we have received in the Church through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:22
Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well; [whose] branches run over the wall:

Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-27

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ephrem The Syrian
Rank: Monk
AD: 373

Ephrem The Syrian

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:23
The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot [at him], and hated him:

Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-27

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:24
But 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:)

Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-27

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:25
[Even] 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:

Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-27

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

But as to what Jacob says, “the blessing of the womb, the blessing of your father and mother,” if we should choose to interpret it as the womb only of Mary, the reason why he coupled the two blessings will escape our notice, for he could have spoken of the womb only of the mother. But I think it more appropriate that we should take it, according to the spiritual mystery, as the two begettings of the Lord Jesus, that according to the divinity and that according to the flesh, because he was begotten from the Father before all ages. For this reason also the Father says, “My heart has uttered a good Word,” because the Son has proceeded from the most profound and incomprehensible substance of the Father and is always in him. For this reason also the Evangelist says, “No one has at any time seen God, except the onlybegotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has revealed him.” “The bosom of the Father,” then, is to be understood in a spiritual sense, as a kind of innermost dwelling of the Father’s love and of his nature, in which the Son always dwells. Even so, the Father’s womb is the spiritual womb of an inner sanctuary, from which the Son has proceeded just as from a generative womb. To be sure, we read in different versions, now that it was the Father’s womb, again that it was his heart, with which he uttered the Word, and again that it was his mouth from which justice proceeded and from which Wisdom came forth, as Wisdom herself says, “From the mouth of the Most High I came forth.” Thus, since the One is not limited and all things declare the One, the blessing refers rather to the spiritual mystery of generation from the Father than to some part of the body. But just as we interpret it to mean that generation from the Father, likewise let us interpret it to mean the generation from Mary unto the completion of faith, when the mother’s womb is blessed, that virginal womb of Mary which brought forth for us the Lord Jesus. The Father speaks of that womb through the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you came forth from your mother’s womb, I sanctified you.” Therefore the prophet showed that there was a twofold nature in Christ, the divine and the fleshly, the former from the Father, the latter from a virgin, but in such a way that Christ was not deprived of his divinity when he was born from a virgin and was in the body.

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:26
The 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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-27

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Now then, with regard to the third sense, that man, being renewed and increased through the spiritual steps, ascends to the greatness of Joseph, who, thanks to the progress of his faith and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, rose to such an extent that he became the victim of envy. Therefore by what garlands braided by our words will that man be crowned for whom, after fighting, and completing his race and preserving his faith, God, the just Judge, keeps in store the crown of justice? About him the father says, “Joseph is a son increased.” And who is so increased as that one who, after his errors and fall, is renewed and returned through the different stages of virtue to such a degree that he reaches the greatest victory? But since he rises little by little, for this reason he is said to be increased in the single stages. In fact, first he began to be increased in Judah through confession. Then he is increased again in Zebulun because he dispelled the obscurity of darkness. Then he is increased again in Issachar because the reward for his works was increased. He is increased again in Dan when he began to keep a correct capacity of judgment in the context of his free will. He is increased again in Gad because he resisted temptation. He is finally increased in Asher when he reached beatitude. In an appropriate manner Joseph also is called “increased son,” because he obtains already the goods to come. But he is also called “envied son,” that is, the one who is set as a model to be imitated by the righteous and will receive the zeal of envy and hatred from the wicked. Also the apostle speaks about the good and the bad zeal and with regard to the evil zeal of the Jews says, “They make much of you, but for no good purpose.” And with regard to the good zeal, he says about himself, “I feel a divine jealousy for you.” But he is also called “the youngest son.” Why should not that one who put off the old man with his actions, resurrected in Christ and walking in the renewal of life, be called the youngest son? And this new man will be called “son” three times. The first was his birth according to the flesh, the second the birth through conversion and baptism. The third is the birth also defined as regeneration, which is the resurrection of the dead.

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:27
Benjamin shall ravin [as] a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 22-27

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

Author: Rufinus of Aquileia
AD: 411

Rufinus of Aquileia

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Hippolytus of Rome
Rank: Author
AD: 235

Hippolytus of Rome

Genesis 49

Author: Ephrem The Syrian
Rank: Monk
AD: 373

Ephrem The Syrian

Genesis 49

The devil has very many wolves that he sends against the sheep of Christ. And therefore he whom Joseph prefigured, in order to protect his own sheep, seized the very enemy that was coming to plunder the sheep, the wolf Paul, and from a persecutor turned him into a teacher. Of him Jacob says, just as it is written, “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he shall still be eating, and for the evening he shall distribute food among chiefs.” He was a wolf when he scattered and devoured the sheep of the church; but he who had been a wolf became a shepherd. He was a wolf when he was Saul, when he would go into houses and drag men and women off to prison. He was a wolf when he breathed threats of murder against the disciples of the Lord and asked for letters from the chief priests to seize the humble servants of Christ. Jesus blinded him with an outpouring of light, as if he were a wolf roaming abroad in the darkness of night. And so, when Rachel gave birth to Benjamin, she called his name “son of my sorrow,” as a prophecy that from that tribe Paul would come, to afflict the sons of the church in the time of his persecution and to trouble their mother with a grievous sorrow. But nonetheless, at a later time, the same Paul distributed food among chiefs when he preached the word of God to the Gentiles and stirred very many to faith, for they received the grace of the Lord through his preaching, as did the deputy of the proconsul Paulus and the chief Publius. Moreover, when Moses blessed the tribe of Benjamin, he also said aptly, “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell confidently, and God shall overshadow him all the days, and the beloved of the Lord shall rest between his shoulders.” Paul was also made a vessel of election, for he was converted only through the Lord’s compassionate love. For this reason he attributes nothing to his own merit but assigns everything to Christ and says, “For I am the least of the apostles and am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace in me has not been to no effect.” He dwelt confidently in the house that he used to empty of its inhabitants; he dwelt in the habitations of Christ, whereas before he used to roam in the woods like a wolf. And God overshadowed him when Christ appeared to him. Although he saw nothing when his eyes were opened, still he saw Christ. And it was fitting that he saw Christ present and also heard him speaking. That overshadowing is not the overshadowing of blindness but of grace. Indeed, it is said to Mary: “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you.”

Author: Ambrosius von Mailand
Rank: Bishop
AD: 397

Ambrosius von Mailand

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:28
All 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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 28-33

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:29
And 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,

Verses that belong to this explanation: 28-33

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:30
In 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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 28-33

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:31
There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 28-33

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:32
The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was] from the children of Heth.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 28-33

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Genesis 49:33
And 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.

Verses that belong to this explanation: 28-33

Author: Matthew Henry
Rank: Priest
AD: 1714
Source:

Matthew Henry

Genesis 49

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

King James Version

Genesis 49

1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you [that] which shall befall you in the last days.

2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

3 Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

4 Unstable 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.

5 Simeon and Levi [are] brethren; instruments of cruelty [are in] their habitations.

6 O 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.

7 Cursed [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.

8 Judah, 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.

9 Judah [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?

10 The 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].

11 Binding 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:

12 His eyes [shall be] red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he [shall be] for an haven of ships; and his border [shall be] unto Zidon.

14 Issachar [is] a strong ass couching down between two burdens:

15 And 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.

16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.

20 Out of Asher his bread [shall be] fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

21 Naphtali [is] a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.

22 Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well; [whose] branches run over the wall:

23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot [at him], and hated him:

24 But 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:)

25 [Even] 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:

26 The 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.

27 Benjamin shall ravin [as] a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

28 All 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.

29 And 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,

30 In 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.

31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.

32 The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was] from the children of Heth.

33 And 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.

King James Version

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