Simeon and Levi are brethren (not in parentage alone, but also in their deeds; e.g. their massacre of the Shechemites ( Genesis 34:25 ), to which undoubtedly the next words allude); instruments of cruelty are in their habitations— literally, instruments of violence their מְכֵדֹת , a ἅπαξ λεγόμ. which has been variously rendered read more
- 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
Genesis 49:5. Simeon and Levi are brethren In disposition, but unlike their father: they were passionate and revengeful, fierce and wilful; instruments of cruelty are in their inhabitations, or, as מכרתיהם mecherotheihem rather signifies, their counsels, or compacts, alluding to their treacherous agreement with the Shechemites: their swords, which should have been only weapons of defence, were (as the margin reads it) weapons of violence, to do wrong to others, not to save... read more
Genesis 49:6. My soul, come not thou into their secret Their cursed plot hatched in secret: far be it from me to approve of their secret designs. And let not mine honour Or good name, be stained by being associated with theirs. Thus he signifies to all posterity that that bloody enterprise was undertaken without his consent, and that he could not think of it without detestation, nor let it pass without a severe censure. For in their anger they slew a man Shechem himself, and many... read more
Genesis 49:7. Cursed be their anger Not their persons. We ought always, in the expressions of our zeal, carefully to distinguish between the sinner and the sin, so as not to love or bless the sin for the sake of the person, nor to hate or curse the person for the sake of the sin. I will divide them The Levites were scattered throughout all the tribes, and Simeon’s lot lay not together, and was so strait that many of that tribe were forced to disperse themselves in quest of settlements and... read more
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
my soul = myself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . secret = council. unto. Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, Septuagint, and Syriac insert "and" = "and into". assembly. Hebrew. kahal = Greek. eeclesia. See Genesis 28:3 . digged down a wall. Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint read "hamstrung an ox". Compare Genesis 34:26 . read more
divide. Fulfilled, Joshua 19:1 . 1 Chronicles 4:39-43 .Leviticus 25:32-34 . Levi's turned to blessing later, Exodus 32:26-29 . Deuteronomy 10:8 , Deuteronomy 10:9 . Jacob. First occurance as used of the whole nation. Israel. See note on Genesis 34:7 . Compare Genesis 47:27 . read more
"Simeon and Levi are brethren. Weapons of violence are their swords. O my soul, come not thou into their council. Unto their assembly, my glory, be not thou united; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hocked an ox. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce. And their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel."The background of this prophecy is the shameful conduct of these two brothers in the events hinging upon the rape of their... read more
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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