Genesis 49:11

11. Binding to the vine his young ass This verse contains a composite picture of princely wealth and peaceful industry . Judah will be rich in vineyards and wine and milk . In the more ancient times the ass, like the camel, served for carrying the rich and noble; (Judges 5:10; Judges 10:4; Judges 12:14;) and the thought here is, that Judah will have possessions of this costly kind. The picture of abundance and luxury is enhanced by the thought that the vines of his soil will grow to such strength that the asses may be tied to them without harm. The territory allotted to Judah was noted for its vineyards and pastures. Here grew the grapes of Eshcol and En-gedi; (Numbers 13:23-24; Song of Solomon 1:14;) here were Maon and Carmel and Tekoa, famous for pastures and numerous flocks . 1 Samuel 25:2; Amos 1:7; 2 Chronicles 26:10. It is not improbable that this picture of abundance and repose was added to that of Judah’s conquests and power in order to denote the plentiful peace and quiet which he should enjoy after his great victories. But to adduce, as parallel to this Scripture, the ass and foal of Zechariah 9:9, and Matthew 21:5, and the wine-press and blood-stained garments of Isaiah 63:1-6, and explain all alike as a special prophecy of Christ, would be extravagant a reading into the language of this poem the ideas of a later time .