Genesis 49:3-18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:3

Reuben as the first-born had a right to a double portion of all that the father had; see Deuteronomy 21:17 ; The eminence or dignity mentioned here may refer to the priesthood; the power, to the regal government or kingdom - In this sense it has been understood by all the ancient Targumists. The Targum of Onkelos paraphrases it thus: "Thou shouldst have received three portions, the birthright, the priesthood, and the kingdom:" and to this the Targums of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Jerusalem... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:4

Pouring out like the waters - This is an obscure sentence because unfinished. It evidently relates to the defilement of his father's couch; and the word פחז pachaz , here translated pouring out, and in our Version unstable, has a bad meaning in other places of the Scripture, being applied to dissolute, debauched, and licentious conduct. See Judges 9:4 ; Zephaniah 3:4 ; Jeremiah 23:14 , Jeremiah 23:32 ; Jeremiah 29:23 . Thou shalt not excel - This tribe never rose to any... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:5

Simeon and Levi are brethren - Not only springing from the same parents, but they have the same kind or disposition, head-strong, deceitful, vindictive, and cruel. They have accomplished, etc. - Our margin has it, Their swords are weapons of violence, i. e., Their swords, which they should have used in defense of their persons or the honorable protection of their families, they have employed in the base and dastardly murder of an innocent people. The Septuagint gives a different turn... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:6

Into their secret council, etc. - Jacob here exculpates himself from all participation in the guilt of Simeon and Levi in the murder of the Shechemites. He most solemnly declares that he knew nothing of the confederacy by which it was executed, nor of the secret council in which it was plotted. If it should be said that the words תבא tabo and תחד techad should be translated in the future tense or in the imperative, as in our translation, I shall not contend; though it is well known... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:7

Cursed was their anger - The first motions of their violence were savage; and their excessive or overflowing wrath, עברה ebrah , for it was inflexible - neither the supplications of the males, nor the entreaties, tears, cries, and shrieks of the helpless females, could deter them from their murderous purpose; for this, Genesis 49:5 , they are said to have accomplished. I will divide them out, אחלקם achallekem , I will make them into lots, giving a portion of them to one tribe,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:8

Thy brethren shall praise thee - As the name Judah signifies praise, Jacob takes occasion from its meaning to show that this tribe should be so eminent and glorious, that the rest of the tribes should praise it; that is, they should acknowledge its superior dignity, as in its privileges it should be distinguished beyond all the others. On the prophecy relative to Judah, Dr. Hales has several judicious remarks, and has left very little to be farther desired on the subject. Every reader will... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:10

From Judah the scepter shall not depart - The Jews have a quibble on the word שבט shebet , which we translate scepter; they say it signifies a staff or rod, and that the meaning of it is, that "afflictions shall not depart from the Jews till the Messiah comes;" that they are still under affliction and therefore the Messiah is not come. This is a miserable shift to save a lost cause. Their chief Targumist, Onkelos, understood and translated the word nearly as we do; and the same meaning... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:13

Zebulun's lot or portion in the division of the Promised Land extended from the Mediterranean Sea on the west, to the lake of Gennesareth on the east; see his division, Joshua 19:10 , etc. The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel paraphrases the passage thus: "Zebulun shall be on the coasts of the sea, and he shall rule over the havens; he shall subdue the provinces of the sea with his, ships, and his border shall extend unto Sidon. Issachar is a strong ass Couching between two burdens. 15. 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

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