The Placement of the Material

The material here is interesting and obviously not placed in any sort of chronology. Jacob gathers his sons here for a prophecy concerning their future. While Moses and later editors likely determined the order of the material, he and they were not wishing to violate the integrity of the oral tradition handed down to them, while at the same time, they made decisions on how to arrange the material.  

Here in chapter 49, Jacob prophesies over—not blesses—each son. The prophecy with a “suitable” blessing came near the end of Jacob’s life. This material would seem to predate Jacob claiming both the sons of Joseph as his own and transferring the birthright from Joseph to Ephraim (Genesis 48:20). 

After the prophecies for the first four sons, Jacob does not prophesy in any certain order. None of his first three sons is given the birthright, and Judah is not awarded the honor either, although his tribe is given the future scepter of the royal line. 

These four sons plus Joseph received prophecies directed toward power and influence. Reuben was not considered due to his failure with Jacob’s wife; Levi and Simeon were passed over for their uncontrolled rage; and Judah was given the scepter. Then Joseph received his blessing and Benjamin last. 

Joseph was given the great blessing of God, which was then transferred to Ephraim and Manasseh in the firstborn birthright. 

This material might seem laborious to us, but Yahweh was seeking to keep the blessing alive in the earth for future human thriving and flourishing, which He does on the basis of these promises and the transfer of blessing.

Jacob Gathers His Sons (1-2)

Jacob then called his sons to gather together for each of them to hear a prophecy concerning their future. They were to assemble for a prophetic meeting in which the first prophetic word given to them as a group was to listen to God’s voice through their father Jacob so it could direct the destiny of their families (1-2). The order in which the prophecies were given was not by birth or any other explainable order. A prophetic vision for one’s children is indeed one of those gifts God gives to parents who follow Yahweh seriously.

This all happened as the birthright was moved to Joseph, who received a double portion as the oldest son of Jacob’s wife Rachel.

Reuben (3-4)

Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn. The strength of Jacob’s household began with Reuben; his skills of leadership, his wisdom, and his business aptitude helped fashion much of Jacob’s family, wealth, and influence, but he was also unstable in controlling his desires. Reuben used the best of his personality and lust to seduce Jacob’s concubine Bilhah (35:22). Reuben helped forge the family fortune, but he would not be remembered nor inherit the firstborn position of preeminence in the future of Israel (3-4). 

Simeon and Levi (5-7) 

Jacob remembered Simeon and Levi’s attack on Shechem when the men of the city were recovering from circumcision (34:25). He mentioned their weakness for violence and their haste to use their swords. He severed his glory from their brutality, anger, and cruelty to the oxen of the men of Shechem they’d killed. He cursed their wrath and outrage and destined them to be scattered among their brothers (5-7). Historically, this did occur; the Levites did not receive land tracts (Numbers 18:23-24; 35:1-8; Joshua 21), and the Simeonites received an inheritance, but their identity was eventually absorbed into Judah (Joshua 19:1-9; Judges 1:3; 2 Chronicles 15:9).

Judah (8-12) 

With all of Judah’s sins, Jacob lavished great honor upon him. While Joseph, by way of inheritance, was treated as Jacob’s firstborn—the honor ultimately given to Ephraim—Judah was given the scepter, the ruling staff over Israel. He would be praised by his brothers; he would lead into battle, win victories, and gain praise and honor from his brothers (8).  

The image of Judah was first of a cub, which then matured into a lion, who hunted and captured its prey and then dragged it back to the den. Next Judah was pictured as a lion and lioness crouching, perched to attack prey. Jacob was describing Judah’s growing-up and fierceness at leadership and war (9).  

Judah was given the eternal scepter and revealed in a position of sitting and ruling until the world became fully obedient to the Ultimate One. This was likely meaning until the King from Judah brought rest (10). Of course, all of this was looking forward to the Messianic age, an age so prosperous that grapevines abundant would even be used for tethering animals, and wine would be so plentiful it would be used to wash clothes. The whole metaphor of wine and milk is one of plenty (11-12).  

This all occurred when Judah’s tribe later produced a line of kings, beginning with King David and leading ultimately to Jesus Christ.

Zebulun (13) 

The metaphor used to describe Zebulun was of one who dwelt by the sea, a haven for ships, connected with Sidon, meaning Zebulun would become known for commerce and its entrepreneurs (13). 

This did occur, as Zebulun was given the land between the Mediterranean Sea and Sea of Galilee and was centrally located for commerce. 

Issachar (14-15) 

The metaphor used of Issachar described a tribe of great strength, protected at first between two sheepfolds, but when finally attacked, loving their rest and ease too much; to preserve it, they bowed their shoulders to become servants (14-15). 

True to the prophecy, his tribe inherited the rich farmland of the Valley of Jezreel in Galilee.

Dan (16-17) 

Dan was destined to provide justice for his people, but he was also like a dangerous snake in the grass—when strangers came into the land to attack Israel, they would bite their heels while the nation waited for Yahweh's complete salvation (16-17).

Dan did become a judge in Israel—Samson, from the tribe of Dan, was one of their greatest judges.

Gad (19) 

Gad would be a tribe that could withstand raids made against them (19). This was seen fulfilled in the great number of men who came from this tribe to serve King David’s military force. 

Asher (20) 

Asher would be rich in harvest and provide foods fit for a king (20). Asher’s tribe inherited the fertile land of Carmel along the seacoast.

Naphtali (21)

The metaphor used to describe Naphtali was a doe let loose to roam, calving often (21). This was fulfilled in the northern boundary of Naphtali, never defined, leaving the tribe free to inherit what they had faith for. 

Joseph (22-26) 

Jacob did not describe Joseph’s destiny as much as his present blessing—he was a fruitful branch by a spring, which reached over obstacles to bless others (22). He had been viciously attacked by his brothers, but he had not weakened under attack, rather remaining agile and able to constantly adapt to Yahweh's will. 

During his time of servitude in Egypt, Joseph had come to know Yahweh by several awesome names: the Mighty One, the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel, the God Who Helps, and the Almighty Who Will Bless. 

When Jacob did deal with Joseph’s future, he declared the blessing of Abraham. Joseph’s lineage would experience: 

• Blessings from Heaven—the rain and dew (23-25)

• Blessings of a father’s love

• Blessings of multiplied children

• Blessings from the hills, streams, and springs, which would not run dry

The blessings would come down on Joseph, giving him dignity and influence (26).  

All of this was fulfilled as Ephraim and Manasseh were large, fruitful tribes, giving Joseph a double portion. The northern tribe was often referred to as Ephraim. 

The Egyptianization of Joseph through power and wealth seems to have moved Jacob, and the Spirit of God led him to circumvent the birthright to Joseph and award it to Ephraim. This put the initial leadership of the tribes and keeping of the blessing of Yahweh alive in his hands. 

Benjamin (27) 

Benjamin was pictured as a strong, ravenous warrior, responsible for finishing battles (27). His tribe was known for producing fierce warriors for Israel. 

Last Request (28-33)

When Jacob had finished the final blessing of his sons with blessings fashioned just for them, blessings in addition to the prophecies (28). He commanded his sons to bury him in the cave purchased by Abraham—the cave where Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah had been buried. Jacob wanted his buried body in the land waiting for his descendants to return and inherit according to promise (29-32).

As soon as Jacob announced he wanted his body returned to the land of promise, he got into his bed and breathed his last (33).