Genesis 49:13-21

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

“Zebulun will dwell at the seashore;

And he shall be a haven for ships,

And his flank shall be toward Sidon.

14“Issachar is a strong donkey,

Lying down between the sheepfolds.

15“When he saw that a resting place was good

And that the land was pleasant,

He bowed his shoulder to bear burdens,

And became a slave at forced labor.

16“Dan shall judge his people,

As one of the tribes of Israel.

17“Dan shall be a serpent in the way,

A horned snake in the path,

That bites the horse’s heels,

So that his rider falls backward.

18“For Your salvation I wait, O LORD.

19“As for Gad, raiders shall raid him,

But he will raid at their heels.

20“As for Asher, his food shall be rich,

And he will yield royal dainties.

21“Naphtali is a doe let loose,

He gives beautiful words.

Summary:

Jacob’s prophecy concerning six of his sons. (vv. 13-21)

He begins with Zebulun. (v. 13)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

Zebulun will dwell at the seashore;

And he shall be a haven for ships

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

This was fulfilled when, two or three hundred years after, the land of Canaan was divided by lot, and the border of Zebulun went up towards the sea, Jos. 19:11. Had they chosen their lot themselves, or Joshua appointed it, we might have supposed it done with design to make Jacob’s words good; but, being done by lot, it appears that it was divinely disposed, and Jacob divinely inspired.

Next, Jacob described what will become of Issachar. (vv. 14,15)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

Issachar is a strong donkey

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

Issachar is a strong donkey,

Lying down between the sheepfolds

In this sense, Issachar would be “an industrious, robust, hardy, and stalwart tribe...” - MacArthur Study Bible

So too they would be...

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

fit for labour and inclined to labour, particularly the toil of husbandry, like the ass

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

He bowed his shoulder to bear burdens,

And became a slave at forced labor

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

When he saw that a resting place was good

Issachar would find pleasure and rest in its agricultural labors.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 49

that is, it was to be active, patient, given to agricultural labors. It was established in lower Galilee—a “good land,” settling down in the midst of the Canaanites, where, for the sake of quiet, they “bowed their shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.”

So much so that Issachar “bowed his shoulder...” to them. Essentially submitting to the labor.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

And became a slave at forced labor

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

He bowed his shoulder to bear burdens

Next, Jacob described what would become of Dan. (vv. 16-18)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

Dan shall judge his people

“Dan, whose name meant ‘Judge,’ fathered an aggressive tribe that would also judge in the nation...” - MacArthur Study Bible

Dan would indeed play a role in the book of judges. Consider…

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

Samson, who was of that tribe, and judged Israel, that is, delivered them out of the hands of the Philistines

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

To Samson, who was of that tribe, and judged Israel, that is, delivered them out of the hands of the Philistines

Although the tribe of Dan would participate in judging, they would not be marked by covenant faithfulness; “Dan was to provide justice, but the tribe chose treachery, like a snake by the roadside.” - The Bible Knowledge Commentary

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

Dan shall be a serpent in the way

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

That bites the horse’s heels

This is not good imagery. This seems to carry a very negative connotation and indeed, Dan would be a stumbling block for the nation (cf. ). “In the time of the Judges the first major practice of idolatry appeared in the tribe of Dan ().” - The Bible Knowledge Commentary

“Dan would later abandon its land allotment () and migrate to the extreme north of Israel ().” - MacArthur Study Bible

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

For Your salvation I wait, O LORD

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

For Your salvation I wait, O LORD

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

For Your salvation I wait, O LORD

“Jacob’s closing cry expressed hope for Dan in the day when salvation would indeed come to Israel. Dan, however, is omitted in the list of the tribes in .” - MacArthur Study Bible

Next, Jacob described what would become of Gad. (v. 19)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

As for Gad, raiders shall raid him,

But he will raid at their heels

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 49

This tribe should be often attacked and wasted by hostile powers on their borders (Jdg 10:8; Je 49:1).

“Border raids were often experienced by the tribes settled east of the Jordan River (e.g., ,).” - The Bible Knowledge Commentary

“Border raids were often experienced by the tribes settled east of the Jordan River (e.g., ,).” - The Bible Knowledge Commentary

“Settling in Transjordan exposed Gad’s people to invasions, making them valiant fighters worthy of victory and commendation (cf. ; ).” - MacArthur Study Bible

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

Concerning Gad, v. 19. He alludes to his name, which signifies a troop, foresees the character of that tribe, that it should be a warlike tribe, and so we find (1 Chr. 12:8); the Gadites were men of war fit for the battle.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

He foresees that the situation of that tribe on the other side Jordan would expose it to the incursions of its neighbours, the Moabites and Ammonites

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

He foresees that the situation of that tribe on the other side Jordan would expose it to the incursions of its neighbours

Thus, Jacob foretells that Gad will face future conflict but that they will counter will success in battle.

Next, Jacob described what would become of Asher. (v. 20)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

As for Asher, his food shall be rich,

And he will yield royal dainties

“Asher would be fertile and productive, providing rich food. That tribe settled along the rich northern coast of Canaan.” - The Bible Knowledge Commentary

“Asher benefited much from occupying the agriculturally rich coastal region N of Carmel, and provided gourmet delights for the palace. Cf. .” - MacArthur Study Bible

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

Concerning Asher (v. 20), that it should be a very rich tribe, replenished not only with bread for necessity, but with fatness, with dainties, royal dainties (for the king himself is served of the field, Eccl. 5:9)

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 49

ASHER—“Blessed.” Its allotment was the seacoast between Tyre and Carmel, a district fertile in the production of the finest corn and oil in all Palestine.

Thus, Asher would have an abundance of agricultural success and would yield royal delicacies. See also, .

Thus, Asher would have an abundance of agricultural success and would yield royal delicacies. See also, .

Next, Jacob described what would become of Naphtali. (v. 21)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 49

Naphtali is a doe let loose,

He gives beautiful words

“Deer-like speed and agility marked Naphtali’s military prowess (cf. ; ). The song of Deborah and Barak, who hailed from Naphtali (); is representative of his eloquent words ().” - MacArthur Study Bible

Thus,

Key Points/Application:

Good Stewardship

Judah Faithfulness

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

Note, 1. God appoints the bounds of our habitation. 2. It is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to our lot and to improve it. If Zebulun dwell at the haven of the sea, let him be for a haven of ships.

Finding Rest in Labor

Like Issachar, we should strive to find rest in our labor. He was a “strong donkey” that saw “that the land was pleasant.” This is to say that we ought to work hard at what God has bestowed before us and even bow our shoulders “to bear burdens.” This only comes from finding rest and peace in what has given you to do.

Unfaithfulness

Dan “would not be known for moral stature or religious faithfulness.” - MacArthur Study Bible

The effects of Dan’s idolatry were far reaching and contributed greatly the downfallen and disloyal state of the nation throughout the Old Testament. This is to say that our personal unfaithfulness to God not only effects us but so too those around us. We should remain faithful to the Lord, obeying His moral statutes and ordinances, so as not to lead others astray.

The effects of Dan’s idolatry were far reaching and contributed greatly the downfallen and disloyal state of the nation throughout the Old Testament. This is to say that our personal unfaithfulness to God not only effects us but so too those around us. We should remain faithful to the Lord, obeying His moral statutes and ordinances, so as not to lead others astray.

Waiting on the Lord

This is in reference to verse 18…

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

Note, It is the character of a living saint that he waits for the salvation of the Lord. Christ, as our way to heaven, is to be waited on: and heaven, as our rest in Christ, is to be waited for.

The Lord’s Sovereignty

This is in reference to verse 19...

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Genesis 49:13–21

Note, The cause of God and his people, though it may seem for a time to be baffled and run down, will yet be victorious at last.

The Lord’s Faithfulness

It’s simply amazing to see that most of the things prophesied by Jacob have already come to pass. He was certainly inspired by God in what he said and the history of Israel proves just that. The intertextual connections between Jacob’s prophecies and Old Testament history are incredible and undeniable. This is to say that our Lord is faithful and that what He has yet promised shall come to pass.