49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons,

and said, Gather yourselves together,

that I may tell you [that] which shall
befall you in the last days. 49:2
Gather yourselves together, and hear,
ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto
Israel your father.
that which shall befall you in the last days-
Jacob's words are prophetic of the character of Israel and of the
individual tribes,
from the time of Jacob to their receiving of the Messiah. Some aspects
of Jacob's words have been fulfilled, others await future fulfillment.

The phrase 'the last days' (or, 'the latter days'), when used in
reference to Israel, speaks of the whole range of Israel's historic
and prophetic experience. For example:
a. Their rebellion from God, sometime after the time of Moses.
Deu 31:28,29
b. The period of their great Tribulation, prior to their final
restoration.
Deu 4:30; Eze 38:16; cp. Jer 30:1-24
c. The final restoration of Israel, under the Messiah. Isa 2:2; Hos
3:5; Mic 4:1
The term is also used in reference to the close of the 'times of the
Gentiles,' at the end of the Tribulation period (Dan 2:28). In the NT,
'the last days' refers to the period between Christ's first and
second comings, with special emphasis upon the growing
 apostasy, as the end of the Church age approaches (eg., 2Tim 3:1;
2Pet 3:3).

the sons of Jacob- are organized here into three groups:

The Sons of Leah (v.3-15), the sons of the handmaids (v.16-21), and
the sons of Rachel (v.22-27).
The sons in each group are addressed in the order of their birth
(except that Leah's sixth son is addressed before the fifth).

The sons of Leah-

49:3 Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, {Gen 29:31,32}
my might, and the beginning of my strength,
the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; {cp. Jam 1:8}
because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou [it]:
he went up to my couch.

my might... my strength- Reuben, like Jacob in his early years, was self-
directed.
But what the fleshly mind considered to be strength, was actually
weakness.
Reuben probably thought no one knew about his adultery with Bilhah (Gen
35:22).
But Jacob knew, and now makes the matter known to all his sons.
Because of his unstable act, Reuben forfeited-

a. his birthright (a double portion) to Joseph. (see note at Gen 48:21)

b. his right to family leadership to Judah (v.8). cp. 1Chr 5:1,2

unstable {or, licentious} as water, thou shalt not excel- cp. Prov 6:32,33

Reuben's descendants, characterized by instability, were often

associated with unrest within the nation. eg., Their rebellion with Korah
(Num 16:1-4), their choice of possession outside of Canaan (Num 32:1-
 5), the misunderstanding about their unapproved altar (Josh 22:11,12);
and their indecision regarding joining the other tribes in battle (Judg
5:15,16, read the chapter for context).
They did not excel. Their decline in numbers motivated Moses to pray
for their preservation.
cp. Num 1:20,21; 26:7; Deu 33:6

49:5 Simeon and Levi [are] brethren {29:33,34};

instruments of cruelty [are in] their habitations.
49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret {ie., secret counsel};
unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united:
for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged
down a wall.
49:7 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.

Simeon and Levi are brethren (ie., they were two of a kind, or, partners in
crime)-
Together, they had devised the deceptive scheme and massacre at
Shechem. Gen 34:25,26
There had been nothing honorable about their action.
I will divide them... scatter them in Israel-
Neither tribe would possess their own portion in the promised land.

Simeon's allotment was inside Judah's portion. Josh 19:1-9

Levi received no allotment, but occupied cities scattered
throughout the possessions of the other tribes. Num 18:24; 35:1-4
Levi's scattering, originally seen as a consequence of past fleshly
actions, would become a mark of spiritual distinction, by God's
grace. God honored this tribe for their zeal in defending His honor
(Ex 32:25-29), by making Levi the priestly tribe. God took away
their 'instruments of cruelty' and entrusted them with the ministry
 of His Word and of the Tabernacle. Deu 10:8,9; 33:8-11

49:8 Judah {ie., 'praise'}, thou [art he] whom thy brethren shall praise:
{29:35}
thy hand [shall be] in the neck of thine enemies;
thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
49:9 Judah [is] a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up:
he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall
rouse him up?
49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from
between his feet,
until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people
[be].
49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice
vine;
he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of
grapes:
49:12 His eyes [shall be] red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Prophecies concerning Judah-

A. He will lead his brothers (v.8 a c)-

a. This was characteristic of the man,
- - at first, in evil (37:26,27),
- - later, for good (44:13-34).
b. This was characteristic of the tribe:
- - First in order (eg., Num 10:14; Josh 15:1),
- - Largest in size (see census in Num ch.1 and ch. 26).
c. All tribes of Israel are now called by his name: Jew.
B. He will conquer his enemies (v.8b,9)- This speaks of:
- - King David. 2Sam 22:41; Psa 18:40
- - The Messiah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Rev 5:5
C. He will have the right to reign as king (v.10)-
 Israel's first king was Saul of the tribe of Benjamin. God rejected
him.
After him came King David, of the tribe of Judah.
All of Israel's legitimate kings would descend from David.
The phrase 'from between his feet' is an idiom meaning 'from
among his children.'
- - Jesus Christ qualifies for the throne, being in the line of Judah
through David, legally through his step-father, and physically
through his mother (see genealogies in Mat 1:1-17 and Luk 3:23-
38; also see notes on the genealogy in Mat 1).
D. He is in the line of the Messiah (v.10-12)-
'Shiloh', the meaning has been explained in various ways:
1. 'The one to whom it belongs' or 'whose it is,' referring to the
Messiah's right to the throne. cp. Eze 21:27
2. As a derivative of the HB word 'shalom' (peace).
This also speaks strongly of the Messiah. cp. Isa 9:6; Mic
5:2,5; Psa 122:6
3. As referring to the town of Shiloh. This theory has no
scriptural support.
his foal... his ass's colt... - cp. Zech 9:9; Mat 21:4-9
- A sign by which to identify the coming One.
...unto the vine ...unto the choice vine -
- The true identity of the One so identified. cp. Mat 21:1-3;
Joh 15:1-5
- His personal inspection of Israel's fruit. cp. Isa 5:1-4; Jer
2:21; Mat 21:33-42
washed his garments in wine...- cp. Luk 22:15-20; Rev 1:5; 7:14
his clothes in the blood of grapes...- cp. Isa 63:1-3
his eyes red with wine... his teeth white with milk-
This may refer to the abundance during the Messiah's reign. cp.
Zech 3:8-10

49:13 Zebulun {ie., 'dwelling'} shall dwell at the haven of the sea;
{30:19,20}
and he [shall be] for an haven of ships;
and his border [shall be] unto Zidon.

Zebulun's allotment was between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean
Sea. Deu 33:18,19; Josh 19:10-16
Zidon (Sidon) was originally part of Asher's possession (Josh
19:24,28). Apparently, Zebulun was able to conquer territory which
Asher was not able to protect from the Philistines. Zebulun's reputation
in battle was better than that of Asher. cp. Judg 5:16-18; 1Chr 12:33

49:14 Issachar [is] a strong ass couching down between two burdens:
{30:17,18}
49:15 And he saw that rest [was] good, and the land that [it was]
pleasant;
and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.

Issachar was known as a valiant tribe, both in strength and wisdom.

cp. Judg 5:15; 1Chr 7:1-5; 12:32

The sons of the handmaids (v.16-21):

- A son of Bilhah -
49:16 Dan {ie., 'judging'} shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of
Israel. {30:5,6}
49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path,
that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

Dan shall be a serpent-

This tribe led Israel in idol worship, and occult practises.

cp. Judg 18:22-31; 1Kin 12:28-30; 2Kin 10:29
Dan is absent from the list of tribes during the Tribulation period (Rev
7:4-8).
 Dan is mentioned in the context of opposition to God's salvation
and peace. Jer 8:15-22
Perhaps, the false prophet of the anti-christ will arise from this
tribe?
that biteth the horse heels... his rider shall fall backward.- cp. Gen
3:14,15
The satanic religious influences, introduced by Dan, would
ambush the nation, causing great injury, as they fell back from
following the Lord.

I have waited for thy salvation {HB= yeshua}, O LORD.-

Jacob, troubled by the prophetic picture of Satanic influence through
Dan, and reminded of the promised Seed who would defeat the enemy,
prays for the coming of the Redeemer. This is the first occurrence of
the word 'salvation' (HB= 'yeshua'). cp. Isa 12:2,3; 49:6; 62:11; Mat 1:21
('Jesus' in HB is 'Yeshua'); Luk 2:29-32
When He comes to reign, salvation will cover the earth. At that time, by
God's grace, the tribe of Dan will have an inheritance in the kingdom of
the Messiah. Eze 48:1,2

- The sons of Zilpah -

49:19 Gad {ie., 'a troop'}, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall
overcome at the last. {30:10,11}
{or, 'Gad, a troop shall troop upon him, but he shall troop on their
heels.' [NKJV]}

Gad produced 'mighty men of valor'- cp. 1Chr 5:18-20; 12:8

49:20 Out of Asher his bread [shall be] fat, and he shall yield royal
dainties. {30:12,13}

Asher's blessing speaks of rich and bountiful provision.

The word for 'fat' is closely related to the word for 'olive oil.' cp. Deu
8:7-9
- Another son of Bilhah -
49:21 Naphtali [is] a hind {ie., a doe, a female deer} let loose:
he giveth goodly words. {30:7,8}

The tribe of Naphtali distinguished themselves in battle. cp. Judg 5:18; 4:6
a hind... goodly words.- The feet of the hind are swift and sure.
Jacob foresees them carrying a beautiful message. cp. Rom 10:15
Part of Jesus' ministry was in the region of Naphtali (Mat 4:13-15).
Perhaps some of His disciples, who first carried His Gospel message to
others, were from this tribe.

The sons of Rachel -

49:22 Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well;
{30:22-24}
[whose] branches run over the wall:
49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot [at him], and
hated him:
49:24 But his bow abode in strength,
and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the
mighty [God] of Jacob;
(from thence [is] the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
49:25 [Even] by the God of thy father, who shall help thee;
and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven
above,
blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of
the womb:
49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed
above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the
everlasting hills:
they shall be on the head of Joseph,
and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his
brethren.
Joseph is 'fruitful' (the meaning of the name 'Ephraim', Joseph's second
son, 41:52).
His fruitfulness was because he knew God, and trusted Him in his
trials. cp. 45:5-8
He was fruitful, like a tree by a well (ie., drawing from the abundant
source of life). Psa 1:1-3
Jacob's words to Joseph are rich with Messianic overtones (v.22-26):

1. The richness of this fruitfulness is seen in-

A. its Source. Identified with five names of God-
the Mighty God of Jacob. Psa 46:7,11
the Shepherd (who is 'from' the Mighty God of Jacob). Psa
23:1; 80:1; Joh 10:11; 16:28
the Stone {Rock} of Israel. Mat 21:42; 1Pet 2:6-8
the God of thy father. cp. Gen 28:12-15; Joh 1:51
the Almighty. Isa 9:6; Rev 1:8
B. its Outflow.
Blessings of heaven. Eph 1:3
... of the deep. Rom 11:33; Eph 3:18,19
... of the breasts. 1Pet 2:2
... of the womb. Psa 22:30; Isa 53:10,11; Joh 1:11-13
2. The reward - This fruitfulness is his reward for his faithfulness in trial.
He was grieved, shot at, and hated, by various 'archers,' but
strengthened by God.
Joseph's enemies included his brothers, the wife of Potiphar, the
circumstances of slavery and imprisonment.
Jesus was similarly attacked and hated. cp. Psa 69:1-4; 118:13;
Joh 15:25
He was separate from his brethren, and exalted by God. Psa
69:8,9; Joh 1:11; 13:33; 16:16; Eph 1:20-23

49:27 Benjamin shall ravin {ie., tear in pieces} [as] a wolf:

in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the
spoil. {35:16-20}

The tribe of Benjamin was associated with zeal to the point of cruelty.
Examples - -

instigation of a civil war in Israel. Judg 19 and 20

persecution of David and his supporters. King Saul was of Benjamin.
1Sam 9:1,2; 19:10; 22:17
persecution of the Church. A Pharisee named Saul was of Benjamin.
Php 3:5,6; Acts 7:58,59; 9:1,2
Yet, by God's grace, Saul became the apostle Paul. His zeal toward
God, once poured out in persecution, was redirected into making Christ
known. Gal 1:13-16; 1Tim 1:15,16

Messianic implications- cp. Psa 69:9; Joh 2:15-17

At His first coming, via His birth in Bethlehem, Christ came to cleanse
sinners.
He was both Benoni {son of sorrow, Isa 53:3,4},
and Benjamin {son of my right hand, Heb 12:2}. (see note at Gen
35:16)
He took the 'tearing' that we deserved upon Himself. Psa 22:13
At His second coming, at the end of the great Tribulation period,
He will tear and none shall deliver from Him. Psa 50:22; 2The 2:8;
Rev 19:11-21

[ For a more developed discussion of Jacob's blessing of his sons, see

the book:
[ Jacob's Dozen: A Prophetic Look at the Tribes of Israel, by William C.
Varner,
[ published 1987, by The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, PO Box 908,
Bellmawr, NJ 08099
[ This book is available for purchase at their website: store.foi.org or
www.foi.org ]
Remember that Jacob was telling his sons ''that which shall befall you in the
last days'' (v.1).-
Above, we looked at the historic and prophetic character of the
individual tribes.
The order in which Jacob addressed the tribes may also have
significance,
in tracing the prophetic course of Israel's history,
which may be divided as follows - [major points of this outline are
from GWms]

A. The moral history of Israel up to the first advent of the Messiah-

Reuben- Israel called of God, but failing in fleshly instability;
in desperate need of the promised Seed. cp. Deu 7:7,8; Rom
9:11-15
It would be through Israel, that the world would 'see a Son.'
Simeon & Levi- Israel received the Law. But their response is
scattered.
cp. Ex 19:8; Judg 17:6
B. The first advent and rejection of the Messiah-
Judah- Jesus offered Himself to Israel as their King (the
sceptre), but was rejected.
Jesus offered Himself as the sinner's substitutionary sacrifice
(the blood).
Jesus promised to return in power to establish His kingdom.
The rejected King, the Lamb slain, was exalted to the Father's
throne, to await the time of His return. Rev 5:5,6
C. Dispersion and subjection of Israel among the Gentiles. Luk 21:24
Zebulun- 'ships' and 'sea', look beyond the Land.
Issachar- 'a servant to tribute', in subjection.
Near the close of the times of the Gentiles, Israel is again in
the Land, but burdened. Jer 30:3-7
D. The appearing of the anti-christ and his kingdom-
Dan- The serpent rises to violently oppose the work of God.
 cp. 2The 2:3,4
E. The moral character of the Remnant during the Tribulation
('Jacob's Trouble')-
Gad- trampled, but overcoming. cp. Rev 11:7; 13:7; 17:14
Asher- nourished, with bread from the King. cp. Rev 12:14
Naphtali- true witnesses, with goodly words (the Good
News),
with absolute confidence in the Lord. cp. Hab 3:17-19
F. The second coming of the Messiah-
Joseph- the exalted One, once rejected and separated from
His brethren,
is recognized and received by them. Zech 12:10
Benjamin-
'the Right Hand of the Lord' consumes & devours His
enemies. Rev 19:11-16

49:28 All these [are] the twelve tribes of Israel:

and this [is it] that their father spake unto them, and blessed them;
every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
49:29 And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered
unto my people:
bury me with my fathers in the cave that [is] in the field of Ephron the
Hittite,
49:30 In the cave that [is] in the field of Machpelah, which [is] before
Mamre, in the land of Canaan,
which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a
possession of a buryingplace.
49:31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; {Gen 23:17-20;
25:8,9}
there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; {Gen 35:29}
and there I buried Leah.
49:32 The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was]
from the children of Heth.
49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons,
he gathered up his feet into the bed,
and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

The cave of Machpelah was the first installment on Israel's promised

possession of Canaan.
Jacob's desire for burial there reflected his faith that God would fulfill
His promises.

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50:1 And Joseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and
kissed him. {cp. 46:4,29}
50:2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm
his father:
and the physicians embalmed Israel.
50:3 And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days
of those which are embalmed:
and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days.
50:4 And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto
the house of Pharaoh, saying,
If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of
Pharaoh, saying,
50:5 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die:
in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there
shalt thou bury me.
Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will
come again.
50:6 And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he
made thee swear.
50:7 And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all
the servants of Pharaoh,
the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,
50:8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's
house:
only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the
land of Goshen.
50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it
was a very great company.
50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond
Jordan,
and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation:
and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
50:11 And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the
mourning in the floor of Atad,
they said, This [is] a grievous mourning to the Egyptians:
wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim {lit., 'mourning of the
Egyptians'}
which [is] beyond Jordan.
50:12 And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them:
50:13 For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan,
and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham
bought with the field
for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before
Mamre.
50:14 And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren,
and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his
father.