Genesis 49:14-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 49:13-21

Here we have Jacob's prophecy concerning six of his sons. I. Concerning Zebulun (Gen. 49:13), that his posterity should have their lot upon the seacoast, and should be merchants, and mariners, and traders at sea. 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, Josh. 19:11. Had they chosen their lot themselves, or Joshua appointed it, we might have supposed it done with design to make Jacob's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 49:14

Issachar is a strong ass ,.... Or as one, the note of similitude being wanting, as Ben Melech observes; "a bony" F5 חמר גרם "Asinus osseus", Montanus, Tigurine version, Munster, Vatablus, Drusius, Piscator, Cartwright. one, as the word signifies; not one that is lean, and nothing but skin and bones, as some interpret it, but that is strong and robust, able to carry burdens; and this tribe is compared to an ass, not for stupidity and sluggishness, but for its strength, and its use... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 49:15

And he saw that rest was good ,.... Not the house of the sanctuary, and attendance there, and the service of that, as the Targum of Jerusalem; nor the rest of the world to come, the happiness of a future state, as that of Jonathan; but rather, as Onkelos, the part and portion of the good land allotted him; he saw that a quiet industry exercised in a diligent cultivation and manuring his land was preferable to the hurry of a court, or the fatigue of a camp, or the dangers of the seas: and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:14

Issachar is a strong ass - גרם חמר chamor garem is properly a strong-limbed ass; couching between two burdens - bearing patiently, as most understand it, the fatigues of agriculture, and submitting to exorbitant taxes rather that exert themselves to drive out the old inhabitants. The two burdens literally mean the two sacks or panniers, one on each side of the animal's body; and couching down between these refers to the well-known propensity of the ass, whenever wearied or overloaded,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:15

He saw that rest - The inland portion that was assigned to him between the other tribes. He inclined his shoulder to the load; the Chaldee paraphrase gives this a widely different turn to that given it by most commentators: "He saw his portion that it was good, and the land that it was fruitful; and he shall subdue the provinces of the people, and drive out their inhabitants, and those who are left shall be his servants, and his tributaries." Grotius understands it nearly in the same way.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:14

Verse 14 14.Issachar. Here mention is partly made of the inheritance, and an indication is partly given of the future condition of this tribe. Although he is called a bony ass on account of his strength, (209) which would enable him to endure labors, especially such as were rustic, yet at the same time his sloth is indicated: for it is added a little afterwards, that he should be of servile disposition. Wherefore the meaning is, that the sons of Issachar, though possessed of strength, were yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 49:1-33

The patriarchal blessing, or the last words of Jacob, I. THE SONS OF LEAH . 1. The blessing on Reuben . 2. The blessings on Simeon and Levi . It is only by a species of irony that the words pronounced on the authors of the Shechem massacre can be styled a blessing. 3. The blessing upon Judah . Recalling probably the part which his fourth son had played with reference to Benjamin, Jacob fervently declares that Judah should be— 4. The blessing on Zebulun .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 49:1-33

Last words. Jacob's benediction on his sons was a prophetic treasure, to be kept in store by future generations, and a foundation on which much faith could afterwards be built.. It has been called "the last full bloom of patriarchal prophecy and theocratic promise." The central point, the blessing on the royal tribe of Judah. The corresponding eminence being given to Joseph. The Israel blessing to the one, the Jacob blessing to the other. In each case we distinguish— 1. The earthly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 49:14-15

Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens— literally, an ass of bone—hence a strong, powerful animal, asinus fortis (Vulgate), asinus walidi corporis (Gesenius), asinus robustus ( Rosenmuller ) —lying down between the folds, or cattle-pens, which received and protected the flocks by night, the dual being used probably because such pens were divided into two parts for different kinds of cattle (Gesenius, Keil, Kalisch, Murphy, 'Speaker's Commentary,' &c.;),... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 49:1-33

- Jacob Blesses His Sons5. מכרה mekêrāh, “weapon;” related: כיר kārar or כרה kārāh dig. “Device, design?” related: מכר mākar “sell,” in Arabic “take counsel. Habitation.”10. מחקק mechoqēq, “lawgiver, judge, dispenser of laws.” This word occurs in six other places - Numbers 21:18; Deuteronomy 33:21; Jud. Deuteronomy 5:14; Psalms 60:9; Psalms 108:9; Isaiah 33:22; in five of which it clearly denotes ruler, or judge. The meaning “sceptre” is therefore doubtful. שׁילה shı̂ylôh, Shiloh, a... read more

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