Jacob Blesses His Sons
1
And Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together, that I may a tell you what shall befall you b in the last days:
2
"Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob,
And listen to Israel your father.
3
"Reuben, you are c my firstborn,
My might and the beginning of my strength,
The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.
4
Unstable as water, you shall not excel,
Because you d went up to your father's bed;
Then you defiled it -
He went up to my couch.
5
"Simeon and Levi are brothers;
Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
6
e Let not my soul enter their council;
Let not my honor be united f to their assembly;
g For in their anger they slew a man,
And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.
7
Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;
And their wrath, for it is cruel!
h I will divide them in Jacob
And scatter them in Israel.
8
"Judah, i you are he whom your brothers shall praise;
j Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
k Your father's children shall bow down before you.
9
Judah is l a lion's whelp;
From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
m He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
And as a lion, who shall rouse him?
10
n The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor o a lawgiver from between his feet,
p Until Shiloh comes;
q And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
11
Binding his donkey to the vine,
And his donkey's colt to the choice vine,
He washed his garments in wine,
And his clothes in the blood of grapes.
12
His eyes are darker than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk.
13
"Zebulun r shall dwell by the haven of the sea;
He shall become a haven for ships,
And his border shall s adjoin Sidon.
14
"Issachar t is a strong donkey,
Lying down between two burdens;
15
He saw that rest was good,
And that the land was pleasant;
He bowed u his shoulder to bear a burden,
And became a band of slaves.
16
"Dan v shall judge his people
As one of the tribes of Israel.
17
w Dan shall be a serpent by the way,
A viper by the path,
That bites the horse's heels
So that its rider shall fall backward.
18
x I have waited for your salvation, O LORD!
19
"Gad, y a troop shall tramp upon him,
But he shall triumph at last.
20
"Bread from z Asher shall be rich,
And he shall yield royal dainties.
21
"Naphtali a is a deer let loose;
He uses beautiful words.
22
"Joseph is a fruitful bough,
A fruitful bough by a well;
His branches run over the wall.
23
The archers have b bitterly grieved him,
Shot at him and hated him.
24
But his c bow remained in strength,
And the arms of his hands were made strong
By the hands of d the Mighty God of Jacob
e (From there f is the Shepherd, g the Stone of Israel),
25
h By the God of your father who will help you,
i And by the Almighty j who will bless you
With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
26
The blessings of your father
Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors,
k Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.
l They shall be on the head of Joseph,
And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.
27
"Benjamin is a m ravenous wolf;
In the morning he shall devour the prey,
n And at night he shall divide the spoil."
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:1
Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
Deuteronomy 33:6 - 25
"Let Reuben live, and not die, Nor let his men be few."
Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
-
Cross References
Numbers 24:14
"And now, indeed, I am going to my people. Come...
Deuteronomy 4:30
When you are in distress, and all these things ...
Isaiah 2:2
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days Th...
Isaiah 39:6
Behold, the days are coming when all that is in...
Jeremiah 23:20
The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until ...
Hebrews 1:2
Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,...
-
Cross References
Genesis 29:32
So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, "The LORD has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.
-
Cross References
Genesis 35:22
And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard about it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
Deuteronomy 27:20
'Cursed is the one who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's bed.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'
1 Chronicles 5:1
Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel - he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright.
-
Cross References
Psalms 64:2
Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity.
Proverbs 1:15
My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path.
Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.
-
Cross References
Psalms 26:9
Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men.
Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
-
Cross References
Genesis 34:26
And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem's house, and went out.
-
Cross References
Numbers 18:24
"For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, 'Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.'"
Joshua 19:1
The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. And their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.
Joshua 19:9
The inheritance of the children of Simeon was included in the share of the children of Judah, for the share of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of that people.
Joshua 21:1 - 42
Then the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel.
1 Chronicles 4:24 - 27
The sons of Simeon were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul.
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:7
And this he said of Judah: "Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people; Let his hands be sufficient for him, And may You be a help against his enemies.
Revelation 5:5
But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.
-
Cross References
Psalms 18:40
You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me.
-
Cross References
Genesis 27:29
Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, And let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, And blessed be those who bless you!
1 Chronicles 5:2
Yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's -
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:22
And of Dan he said: "Dan is a lion's whelp; He shall leap from Bashan.
Ezekiel 19:5 - 7
When she saw that she waited, that her hope was lost, She took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.
Micah 5:8
And the remnant of Jacob Shall be among the Gentiles, In the midst of many peoples, Like a lion among the beasts of the forest, Like a young lion among flocks of sheep, Who, if he passes through, Both treads down and tears in pieces, And none can deliver.
Revelation 5:5
But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.
-
Cross References
Numbers 23:24
Look, a people rises like a lioness, And lifts itself up like a lion; It shall not lie down until it devours the prey, And drinks the blood of the slain.
Numbers 24:9
'He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?' "Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you."
-
Cross References
Numbers 24:17
I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not n...
Jeremiah 30:21
Their nobles shall be from among them, And thei...
Matthew 1:3
Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez beg...
Matthew 2:6
'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are ...
Luke 3:33
The son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son o...
Revelation 5:5
But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep....
-
Cross References
Psalms 60:7
Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet for My head; Judah is My lawgiver.
-
Cross References
Isaiah 11:1
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
Matthew 21:9
Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! ' Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD your God will raise up for you a Proph...
Psalms 2:6 - 9
"Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."
Psalms 72:8 - 11
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, An...
Isaiah 42:1
Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One ...
Isaiah 42:4
He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He ha...
Isaiah 49:6
Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that Y...
Isaiah 60:1 - 5
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the ...
Luke 2:30 - 32
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:18
And of Zebulun he said: "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, And Issachar in your tents!
Deuteronomy 33:19
They shall call the peoples to the mountain; There they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness; For they shall partake of the abundance of the seas And of treasures hidden in the sand.
Joshua 19:10
The third lot came out for the children of Zebulun according to their families, and the border of their inheritance was as far as Sarid.
Joshua 19:11
Their border went toward the west and to Maralah, went to Dabbasheth, and extended along the brook that is east of Jokneam.
-
Cross References
Genesis 10:19
And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.
Joshua 11:8
And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who defeated them and chased them to Greater Sidon, to the Brook Misrephoth, and to the Valley of Mizpah eastward; they attacked them until they left none of them remaining.
-
Cross References
1 Chronicles 12:32
Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command.
-
Cross References
1 Samuel 10:9
So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.
-
Cross References
Genesis 30:6
Then Rachel said, "God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son." Therefore she called his name Dan.
Deuteronomy 33:22
And of Dan he said: "Dan is a lion's whelp; He shall leap from Bashan.
Judges 18:26
Then the children of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
Judges 18:27
So they took the things Micah had made, and the priest who had belonged to him, and went to Laish, to a people quiet and secure; and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire.
-
Cross References
Judges 18:27
So they took the things Micah had made, and the priest who had belonged to him, and went to Laish, to a people quiet and secure; and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire.
-
Cross References
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and song, And He has be...
Psalms 25:5
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are...
Psalms 40:1 - 3
I WAITED patiently for the LORD; And He incline...
Psalms 119:166
LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your ...
Psalms 119:174
I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your law...
Isaiah 25:9
And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this ...
Micah 7:7
Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait ...
-
Cross References
Genesis 30:11
Then Leah said, "A troop comes!" So she called his name Gad.
Deuteronomy 33:20
And of Gad he said: "Blessed is he who enlarges Gad; He dwells as a lion, And tears the arm and the crown of his head.
1 Chronicles 5:18
The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh had forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty valiant men, men able to bear shield and sword, to shoot with the bow, and skillful in war, who went to war.
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:24
And of Asher he said: "Asher is most blessed of sons; Let him be favored by his brothers, And let him dip his foot in oil.
Joshua 19:24 - 31
The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:23
And of Naphtali he said: "O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, And full of the blessing of the LORD, Possess the west and the south.
-
Cross References
Genesis 37:4
But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.
Genesis 37:24
Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.
Psalms 118:13
You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the LORD helped me.
-
Cross References
Job 29:20
My glory is fresh within me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.
Psalms 37:15
Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.
-
Cross References
Psalms 132:2
How he swore to the LORD, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
Psalms 132:5
Until I find a place for the LORD, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.
Isaiah 1:24
Therefore the Lord says, The LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies.
Isaiah 49:26
I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, And they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know That I, the LORD, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
-
Cross References
Genesis 45:11
"There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine."'
Genesis 47:12
Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father's household with bread, according to the number in their families.
-
Cross References
Psalms 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 80:1
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
-
Cross References
Psalms 118:22
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
1 Peter 2:6 - 8
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.
-
Cross References
Genesis 28:13
And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.
Genesis 32:9
Then Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you':
Genesis 35:3
"Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone."
Genesis 43:23
But he said, "Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
Genesis 50:17
Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.'" Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
-
Cross References
Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.
Genesis 35:11
Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:13
And of Joseph he said: "Blessed of the LORD is his land, With the precious things of heaven, with the dew, And the deep lying beneath.
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:15
With the best things of the ancient mountains, With the precious things of the everlasting hills.
Habakkuk 3:6
He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations. And the everlasting mountains were scattered, The perpetual hills bowed. His ways are everlasting.
-
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:16
With the precious things of the earth and its fullness, And the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let the blessing come 'on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.
-
Cross References
Judges 20:21
Then the children of Benjamin came out of Gibeah, and on that day cut down to the ground twenty-two thousand men of the Israelites.
Judges 20:25
And Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah on the second day, and cut down to the ground eighteen thousand more of the children of Israel; all these drew the sword.
-
Cross References
Numbers 23:24
Look, a people rises like a lioness, And lifts itself up like a lion; It shall not lie down until it devours the prey, And drinks the blood of the slain.
Numbers 8:11
And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD, like a wave offering from the children of Israel, that they may perform the work of the LORD.
Ezekiel 39:10
They will not take wood from the field nor cut down any from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them," says the Lord GOD.
Zechariah 14:1
Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.