Genesis 49:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 49:1-4

Here is, I. The preface to the prophecy, in which, 1. The congregation is called together (Gen. 49:2): Gather yourselves together; let them all be sent for from their several employments, to see their father die, and to hear his dying words. It was a comfort to Jacob, now that he was dying, to see all his children about him, and none missing, though he had sometimes thought himself bereaved. It was of use to them to attend him in his last moments, that they might learn of him how to die, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 49:4

Unstable as water ,.... Which is not to be understood of the levity of his mind, and his disposition to hurt, and the impetuous force of that breaking forth like water, and carrying him into the commission of it; but rather of his fall from his excellency and dignity, like the fall of water from an high place; and of his being vile, mean, and contemptible, useless and unprofitable, like water spilled on the ground; and of his weak and strengthless condition and circumstances, being deprived... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 49:4

Verse 4 4.Unstable as water. He shows that the honor which had not a good conscience for its keeper, was not firm but evanescent; and thus he rejects Reuben from the primogeniture. He declares the cause, lest Reuben should complain that he was punished when innocent: for it was also of great consequence, in this affair, that he should be convinced of his fault, lest his punishment should not be attended with profit. We now see Jacob, having laid carnal affection aside, executing the office of a... 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 49:3-4

Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power :—Jacob's patriarchal benediction takes the form of an elevated poem, or sublime religious hymn, exhibiting the well-known classes of parallelism, the synthetic the antithetic, and the synonymous, not alone in its separate clauses, but sometimes also in its stanzas or verses. As was perhaps to be expected, it begins with Reuben, who is characterized by a... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 49:3-4

Genesis 49:3-4 . Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might Begotten in the prime and vigour of my days; the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power Such were the prerogatives of the birthright, which he would have enjoyed had he not forfeited and fallen from them by his sin; dignity above his brethren, and considerable power over them. Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel As water is prone to flow, and still tends downward to an inferior situation, so Reuben should fall from... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 49:1-28

Blessings on Jacob’s twelve sons (49:1-28)The last words of Jacob to his sons found their fulfilment in the history of Israel’s twelve tribes (49:1-2). First Jacob dealt with the six sons of Leah (see v. 3-15), then with the four sons of the minor wives (see v. 16-21), and finally with the two sons of Rachel (see v. 22-27).Reuben should have been strong, but through lack of self-control he lost the leadership of the nation (3-4; cf. 35:22). Simeon and Levi had been violent, and their tribes... read more

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