Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 1 · Chapter 49
CHAP. XLIX.
1. Iakob calleth his sonnes to blesse them. 3, The blessing of Ruben, 5, of Simeon and Levi, 8, of Iudas, 13, of Zabulon, 14, of Issachar, 16, of Dan, 19, of Gad, 20, of Aser. 21, of Naphtali, 22, of Ioseph, 27, of Benjamin. 29, Iakob chargeth them about his buriall in Canaan. 33, He dieth.
ANd Iakob called unto his sonnes: and said; Gather your selves together, that I may shew you; that which shall befall you, in the latter daies. Assemble your selves together and heare, ye sonnes of Iakob: and hearken unto Israel your father. Ruben, thou art my first-borne; my might, and the beginning of my valour: the excellencie of hye-dignitie, and the excellencie of strength. Vnstable as waters, excell not thou; because thou wentest-up, to thy fathers beds: then thou defiledst, my couch hee went-up unto.
Simeon and Levi, brethren: instruments of violent-wrong, in their sojourning habitations. My soule, come not thou into their secret; my glory, be not thou united unto their assembly: for in their anger, they killed a man; & in their selfe-will, they houghed the oxe. Cursed be their anger, for it was strong; and their exceeding-wrath, for it was hard: I will divide them in Iakob, and scatter them abroad, in Israel.
Iudah; thou, thy brethren shall confesse thee; thy hand, shall be in the necke of thy enemies: the sons of thy father, shall bow-down themselves unto thee. Iudah a renting-lions whelpe; from the prey, my sonne thou art gone-up: he stouped-downe, he couched, as a renting-lion, and as a couragious-lion, who shall rouse him up? The Scepter shall not depart from Iudah; and the law-giver, from betweene his feet: untill Shiloh come; and unto him, shall the obedience of peoples be. Binding his asse-colt unto the vine; and the foale of his asse, unto the choyce-vine: hee washeth his raiment, in wine; and his covering in the blood of grapes. His eyes shall be red, with wine: & his teeth white with milke.
Zabulon, hee shall dwell, at the haven of the seas: and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his side, shall be unto Sidon.
Issachar, is a strong-boned asse: couching, betweene two-bounds. And hee saw rest, that it was good; and the land, that it was pleasant: and bowed his shoulder, to beare; and was, a servant unto tribute.
Dan, he shall judge his people: as one, of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be, a serpent by the way; an adder, by the path: that biteth the horse heels, & his rider falleth backward. For thy salvation, Iearnestly expect Iehovah.
Gad, a troupe shall with-troup-overcome him: and hee shall with-troup-overcome at the last.
Concerning Aser, his bread shall be fat: and he shall give dainties of a king.
Naphtali, is a hinde let-loose: that giveth goodly sayings.
Ioseph, sonne of a fruitfull vine, sonne of a fruitfull vine, by a well: the daughters, each runneth over the wall. And the archers, grieved-him-bitterly; and shot, and hated him. But his bow, abode in strength; and the arms of his hands, were made-firme: by the hands of the Mighty-one of Iakob: from thence the Feeder, the Stone of Israel. By the God of thy father, who shall helpe thee; and the Almighty, who shall blesse thee; with blessings of heaven, from above; blessings of the deep, that lieth under; blessings of the brests, and of the wombe. The blessings of thy father; doe prevaile, above the blessings of my progenitors; unto the utmost-bound, of the eternall hills: they shall bee, on the head of Ioseph; and on the crown-of-the-head, of the separated among his brethren.
Benjamin, he shall ravin as a wolfe; in the morning, he shall eat the prey: & at evening, he shall divide the spoile. All these, are the twelve tribes, of Israel: and this is it, that their …ather spake unto them, and blessed them; every-man, even according to his blessing, he blessed them. And he commanded them, and … 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 Chethite. In the cave, that is in the field of Macpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan: which Abraham bought, with the field; of Ephron the Chethite, for a possession of a burying-place. There they buried Abraham, and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaak, and Rebekah his wife: and there I buried Leah. In the purchase of the field, and of the cave that is therein, from the sonnes of Cheth. And Iakob made-an-end, of commanding his sonnes; and gatheredup his feet, into the bed: and he yeelded-up the ghost, and was gathered unto his peoples.
Annotations.
THe latter daies] that is, the daies following, or time hereafter: Hebr the posterity of dayes: which phrase is often used for time to come; as Num. 24. 14. Deut. 4. 30. and 31. 29. Dan. 2. 28. and 10. 14. Prov. 31. 25. So that which is said in Act. 2. 16. it shall be in the last daies; is in Ioel 3. 1. it shall be hereafter. The Chaldee translateth it, the end of daies: the Greeke, the last dayes: often it meaneth the daies after Christs comming, Esa. 2. 2. Heb. 1. 1.
Vers. 2. hearken] the Chaldee saith, receive instruction.
Vers. 3. might] or, able-strength: this word (Coach) signifieth that lively vigour, and native moisture, whereby men are strong and lusty: Psal. 22. 16. Ios. 14. 11. as the next word valour, (Hebr. On.) meaneth the straining of the body forcibly to effect a thing desired. of my valour] or, of my manhood; of my painefull strength: the first effect of the strength of my body. All the first borne are thus called. Deut. 21. 17. Psal. 78. 51. the Greeke translateth it, the beginning of my children; that is, my first childe. Such had naturall right to a double portion of all their fathers goods, Deut. 21. 17. the excellencie] that is, most excellent in dignitie (or preferment.) Whereby the dignitie of the priesthood, seemeth to be meant; as by strength following, is meant the government or kingdome. And so the Chaldee paraphrast explaineth it, thou shouldest receive three portions, the first birthright, the priesthood, and the kingdome. The Ierusalemy Thargum saith the same: adding this withall, and for the sinne of my sonne Ruben, the first birthright is given to Ioseph, the kingdome to Iudah, and the priesthood to the tribe of Levi. And that the first borne were Priests, and governours: see Gen. 25. 31. of strength] or excellent strong. This word which properly signifieth hard or firme strength, is often applyed to kings and kingdomes, which for the most part are gotten and maintained by strength; and the kings strength, is an honourable stile of his Majestie; see Psal. 99. 4. and 110. 2.
Vers. 4. Vnstable] or Light, soone-mooved: this is alwaies used in the evill part, Iudg. 9. 4. Zoph. 3. 4. ser. 23. 32. and implyeth both his sudden light affections, which caried him to evill: and his sudden downfall from his dignity. excell not] that is, thou shalt not excell, but lose thine honour. So the Chaldee explaineth it, thou shalt not have profit, nor receive the excellent portion. he went up unto] the Greeke changeth the person, and translateth, on which thou went est up: also the Chaldee expoundeth it, when thou wentest up to my bed. Iakob as with indignation of the fact, turneth his speech from Ruben to his brethren. Such changes are often in the holy text, as Deut. 5. 10. that love me, and keepe his commandements; for which in Exod. 20. 6. is my commandements. And in Dan. 9. 4. thou keepest covenant towards them that love him: for, that love thee. So Mark. 11. 32. they feared the people: for wch in Matt. 21. 26. is written, we feare. Otherwise wee may read it thus, thou defiledst my couch, it is gone-up: that is, it is vanished away; meaning the excellencie which we should have had. For by defiling Bilhah his fathers concubine, he lost his birthright, Gen. 35. 22. 1 Chron. 5. 1. 2. To goe-up, is sometime used for vanishing away, Exod. 14. 16. Ier. 48. 15.
Vers. 5. brethren] specially consociate in that evill deed of killing the Sychemites, Gen. 34. 25. and so brethren, not in nature onelyonly, but in conditions, See Gen. 10. 21. instruments] or weapons, to weet, they were: giving themselves and their members as weapons of unrighteousnesse unto sin, as Paul speaketh, Rom. 6. 13.) meaning of their cruell fact forementioned, Gen. 34. 25. sojourning habitations] in the land of their sojourning, as saith the Chaldee paraphrast; where they being strangers, indangered the ruine of themselves and their fathers house, Gen. 34. 30. Or, their agreements, meaning the covenanted conditions made with the Sychemites, to consent unto them if they would be circumcised, which was with deceit, Gen. 34. 13. 15. &c. Thus also the Greeke may bee understood, hairesis being sometime used for a conditional covenant. Or, their swords: but the word is not so found elsewhere.
Vers. 6. secret] that is, as the Greeke translateth it, and Thargum Ierusalemy, their councill, their assembly. So David saith, the secret of evill doers, Psal. 64. 3. and Ieremy, the secret of mockers, Iere. 15. 17. that is, the assembly. Iakob here meaneth that neither should any, neither would he approve of their perfidy. glorie] or honour, hereby may be meant the tongue which is the glorie of man by speech, being good, and the contrary if it be evill, Iam. 3. 5. &c. So my glory, Psal. 16. 9. is by the Apostle cited, my tongue, Act. 2. 26. Otherwise it is a repetition of the former, my glory, that is, my soule. a man] Hemor the King, and Sychem his son, with the men of the citie: Gen. 34. 25. 26. Therefore the Greeke translateth it men: and Thargum Ierusalemy, Kings and rulers. And the singular is often put for many, as the man of Israel fled, 1 Chro. 10. 1. that is, the men of Israel, 1 Sam. 31. 1. See also Gen. 3. 2. selfe-will] or pleasure. houghed the Oxe] so the Greeke also translateth it: meaning that they tooke away and destroyed the oxen, and other beasts of the Sychemites, Gen. 34. 28. Oxe is for Oxen, as Gen. 32. 5. Some (as the Chaldee) translate, they pulled downe the wall: but Shor, (the word here used) is properly an oxe or bull: and Shur a wall: neither was there mentioned any pulling downe of walls in Gen. 34. Therefore the Ierusalemy Thargum expounds it of their selling of Ioseph who is likened to an oxe. Deut, 33. 17. But that seemeth not to be intended here.
Vers. 7. I will divide] that is, I prophesie their devision: so Ezekiel saith, when I came to destroy the citie, Ezek. 43. 3. Which was his foretelling the destruction. See also Hos. 6. 5. them in Iakob] that is, their posteritie among the children of Iakob: see Gen. 19. 37. This was accomplished, when Symeon had his inheritance in the middest of the inheritance of Iudah, Ios. 19. 1. and was faine to seeke a larger possession, 1 Chron. 4. 39 40. and Levi had his cities of habitation, among the other tribes, Ios. 21. 2. 3. &c. Howbeit, afterwards Levi for their zeale against idolaters, (Exod. 32. 26. 28. 29.) had this their dispersion turned to a further blessing, while they were consecrated to teach Iakob Gods judgements and Israel his law, &c. Deut. 33. 9. 10. and so had the priesthood in their tribe. This the Ierusalemy Thargum also mentioneth, and saith likewise of the Simeonites, that they were teachers of the Law in the Synagogues of Iakob; and the Levites, in the schooles of the sons of Israel.
Vers. 8. thou] to weet, art so by name, and shalt bee so indeed: for Iudah signifieth Confession or Praise: and to his name he hath reference; Praised, thou art called, and praise thee shall thy brethren. Thargum Ierusalemy saith, Iudah, to thee shall all thy brethren confesse, and by thy name shall all the Iewes be called. See the notes on Gen. 29. 35. confesse] or (as the Greeke translateth) praise thee: meaning that his brethren should acknowledge the dignitie of the firstborne, in respect of the government, to bee given unto him, and that Christ the King should come of him, 1 Chron. 5. 2. Heb. 7. 14. And when the rest of the house of Israel compassed the Lord with lyes and deceit, Iudah is praysed, for yet ruling with God, and being faithfull with the saints, Hos. 11. 12. In Christ, this prophesie is chiefly fulfilled, as the particulars following shew: to him the Hebrew Doctors also doe apply it, as in Breshith ketannah (or their lesser Commentary) upon this place, it is said, Iudah was borne the fourth among the tribes, and in the fourth day were the lights created: and it is written of the Messi is, His throne, as the Sunne before me: as the Moone, it shall be established for ever. Psal. 89. 37. 38. in the necke] that is, thou shalt beat downe and put to flight thy enemies; as the Chaldee explaineth it, thus; thy hand shall prevaile against thy enemies, thy foes shall be scattered, they shall be turned backward before thee: and Thargum Ierusalemy saith, thy hand shall avenge thee on thy enemies. The performance of this promise, David the first King of Iudah celebrateth, saying, thou hast given me the necke of my enemies, Psal. 18. 41. And after Iosuahs death, Iudah was the first that went up to fight for Israel against the Canaanites, and got the victory, Iudg. 1. 1. 2. 4. 8. &c. bow-downe] acknowledging the dignitie of this tribe above the rest. For this tribe was the foremost of all, in their marching through the wildernesse, Numb. 10. 14. and the Prince of this tribe was the first that offered at the dedication of the altar, Numb. 7. 11. 12. and foremost in battell against their rebellious brethren, Iudg. 20. 18. the first Iudge that saved Israel, was of this house, Iudg. 3. 9. and God chose this tribe, and David out of it, to settle the Kingdome of Israel in his stocke for ever, Psal. 78. 68. 70. 71. and 89. 20. 21. 28. 30. 36. 37. and to our Lord Iesus, who came of Iudah, all knees doe bow, Philip. 2. 10.
Vers. 9. renting-lions whelp] As there are sundry sorts of Lions, so they have sundry names, Iob 4. 10. 11. and above other, the Lyon is a kingly beast, strong, Prov. 30. 30. bold, Prov. 28. 1. stout-hearted, 2 Sam. 17. 10. and of a terrible countenance, 1 Chro. 12. 8. Such are fit to be kings armes, and twelve such were stayes for the steps of King Solomons throne 2 Chron. 9. 18. 19. This kind here mentioned, is greedy to teare his prey, and therof hath his name, Psal. 17. 12. being a prophesie of the valiant worthies that should come of Iudah, & make a prey of their enemie: as Othoniel, Iudg. 3. 9. 10. David, 2 Sam. 8. and especially Christ, called the Lion of the tribe of Iudah, Rev. 5. 5. couched] lay downe to rest, after hee hath taken the prey: this was fulfilled when after Davids conquests, all Israel had rest under Solomon, 1 King. 4. 25. and after Christs victorie, he went upon high, and sate him downe at the right hand of God. Psal. 68. 19. Mark. 16. 19. 1. Cor. 15. 25. Balaam used such similitudes, speaking of the valiant acts of Israel, Num. 23. 24. couragious] or harty-lion, named Labi, of leb, an hart. By these three is signified the growth of the Kingdome of Iudah, from Princes to Kings, and from David to Christ, in whom all glory resteth. The Chaldee paraphraseth thus, He shall have dominion in the beginning; and in the end, the kingdome of the house of Iudah shall be magnified: for from the judgement of death, thou hast rid thy soule, O my sonne: he shall rest and dwell in strength, as a Lyon, and as a couragious-lion, and there shall bee no kingdome that shall stirre him.
Vers. 10. The scepter] or, The tribe. The Hebrew Shebet, (whence the Greeke word sceptron, and English scepter is derived,) signifieth astaffe or rod; and is by Moses applied to the tribes of Israel, (whereof see the 16. and 28. verses following:) and so the Greeke interpreters, doe often translate Sceptron for Shebet, atribe; 1 Sam. 10. 19. 20. 21. 1 King. 11. 32. 35. 36. &c. The prophesie is of Iudahs tribe to continue distinct, untill Christs comming; whereas the other ten tribes were scattred and confused by their captivity, 2 King. 17. out of wch they returned not, as the tribe of Iudah with Benjamin, did from Babylon, Ezra 1. 5. It may also imply the power of government which should be in this tribe: for Shebet a scepter, sometime so meaneth, Psal. 45. 7. And so the Greeke here translateth it, a Prince; and the Chaldee one that hath dominion: and Thargum Ierusalemy, Kings shall not cease from the house of Iudah. And elsewhere the scripture saith, of Iudah came the Governour, 1 Chron. 5. 2. lawgiver] or, statute-maker, writter of decrees: a title of government, given sometime to God himselfe, Esay 33. 12. sometime to the governors set of God, Numb. 21. 18. So the Greeke here translateth it, Governour: and in reference to this prophesie, God saith, Iudah my law-giver, Psal. 60. 9. his feet] that is, borne of, and brought up by him: for so this phrase meaneth, Deu. 28. 57. and 33. 3. the feet being sometime used for the whole leg or thigh, which word was used before Gen. 46. 26. and so the Greeke here translateth, out of his thighes. Shiloh] by interpretation The prosperer, the Safe-maker: or His sonne; (to weet, of a virgin) that is, Christ, who was to spring out of Iudah, Heb. 7. 14. This the Chaldee paraphrast confirmeth, saying, Hee that hath dominion shall not bee taken away from Iudah, nor a Scribe from his childrens children, untill the Christ come, whose the Kingdome is, and him shall the peoples obey. The Ierusalemy Thargum also saith, Kings shall not cease, from the house of Iudah; nor Doctors that teach the law, from his childrens children; untill the time that the King Christ doe come, whose the kingdome is, and all kings of the earth shall be subject unto him. Likewise in Breshith rabba, upon the word Shiloh it is sayd this is the Christ: and R. D. Kimchi, (in the root Shil) expoundeth it his sonne, and saith it is a prophesie of David, or of the Christ. The Hebrew hath an unusuall manner of writing, implying his son, and her son, as a prophesie that he should bee of Mary the Virgin, of the linage of Iudah. obedience] or gathering of peoples, that is, the peoples (Iewes and Gentiles) shall gather unto, and obey Christ. This the Chaldee paraphrasts both confirme: the Greeke also to like effect, hee shalbe the expectation of nations. Compare Esa. 11. 10. Rom. 15. 12. Esa 42. 4. Mat. 12. 21.
Vers. 11. asse-colt] or, yong-asse: great men used to ride upon such, Iudg. 10. 4. and 12. 14. and 5. 10. to bind such to the vine, seemeth to meane great store of vines, which should bee in the land of Iudah, (as was in Engeddi, and other places, Song. 1. 13. Ios. 15. 62.) that men should tye their asses to them, as to other common trees that grow in every field. The Chaldee paraphrast by this vine, understandeth figuratively Ierusalem, and by the asse-colt the people of Israel; and thus expoundeth it, Israel shall dwell round about his citie, the peoples shall build his temple, & the just men shall be round about it, and the doers of the law in the doctrine thereof. This also may be referred to Christ, the King, who being just and meeke, came riding into Ierusalem upon an asses colt, Zachar. 9. 9. Ioh. 12. 14. 15. Mat. 21. 2. 5. 7. a figure of the people of the Gentiles, brought unto Christ for him to ride upon; and by this prophesie of Iakob, were to bee tied unto him and his Church, (compared unto the vine, Ioh. 15. 1. Esa. 5. 7.) where they should bee filled with the gospell of his love, and gifts of his spirit, better then wine, Song. 1. 3. Ephes. 5. 18. And so the Ierusalemy Thargum applyeth this to Christ, saying, How faire is the King Christ, that shall spring up of the house of Iudah! He shall gird his loynes, and shall goe forth to warre against his enemies, &c. Likewise in Breshith Rabba, speaking of this place, it is said; he sheweth us that when the Christ shall come to save Israel, he shall make ready his asse, and ride upon him, and come unto Israel with povertie. the foale] Hebrew, the son of his asse, that is, his yong asse: see the notes on Gen. 18. 7. washeth his rayment] an other figurative promise of wine to bee plentifull as water, that he may wash his clothes in it …or, of a glorious victory that Iudah and Christ should get over his enemies, as in Esa. 63. 1. 2. 3. his conquest is set forth by such a parable. And in Revel. 19. 13. hee is clothed with a garment dipt in blood; and in Revel. 14. 20. his judgment on the enemies, is the treading of a wine-presse. And so the Ierusalemy Thargum doth explaine it, saying, Hee shall kill kings and Princes, making the rivers red with blood of their slaine, and the bills white, with the fat of their mighty men: his garments shall be embrewed in blood, and he like to one pressing clusters of grapes. blood] that is, juice of grapes, which for the red colour is called blood: so Deut. 32. 14.
Vers. 12. red with wine] another signe of plenty of fruits; for the drinking of much wine maketh red eyes, Proverb. 23. 29. 30. hereby also the plenty of spirituall blessings in Christ is signified: Prov. 9. 1. 1. 2. Esay 25. 6. and 55. 1. So Thargum Ierusalemy applyeth it, saying, How beautifull are the eyes of the King Christ to looke upon; more then fined wine, that he beholdeth not with them unchast copulations or murthers of innocents. His teeth are exercised in the law, that he eateth not with them iniquities and robberies. His mountaines shall bee red with vineyards and winepresses: his hills shall be white with store of wheat, and stocks of sheepe. Other of the Iew Doctors, reckon Iudah for the seventh patriarch, thus, 1, Abraham, 2, Isaak, 3, Iakob, 4, Reuben, 5, Symeon, 6, Levi, 7. Iudah: and they compare him with the seventh (that is, the Sabbath) day. At Iudahs birth it is sayd of his mother, shee stayed from bearing, Gen. 29. 35. at the Sabbath day, it is said of God, herested and was refreshed, Exod. 31. 17. Of Iudah it is said, Iudah thou, thy brethren shall consesse thee, Gen. 49. 8. (and, this time I will confesse the Lord, Gen. 29. 35.) and of the Sabbath, it is good to confesse unto the Lord. Psal. 92. 2. Of Iudah it is said, from the prey, my son, thou art gone up, Gen. 49. 9. the prey signifieth his food; as if hee should say, thou art gone up from doing even the worke for the life, as of the Sabbath it is said, in it thou shalt not doe any worke, Exod. 20. 10. Of Iudah it is said, he stouped downe, he couched as a Lyon, &c. Gen. 49. 9. and of the Sabbath, abide ye every man in his place. Exod. 16. 29. Of Iudah it is said, binding his asse colt unto the vine, Gen. 49. 11. as if he should say; binding him from his worke: of the Sabbath it is sayd, that thine oxe and thine asse may rest. Exod. 23. 12. Of Iudah it is said, he washeth his raiment in wine, Gen. 49. 11. which signifieth the sanctifying of the day which is with wine, signifying the property of judgement, and therefore the Scepter was given him, as the Scepter shall not depart from Iudah, &c. And as Iudah was the fourth of the tribes (of Israel:) so the Sabbath is the fourth of the commandements, (Exod. 20.) R. Menachem, on Gen. 49.
Vers. 13. Zabulon] he though hee was yonger then Issaehar, Gen. 30. 18. 20. yet Iakob gives him the blessing before him: so also doth Moses. Deut. 33. 18. and his lot befell him in his land, before Issachars: Ios. 19. 10. 17. seat] his borders were both to the maine sea westward, and to the sea of Galilee Eastward: see his portion, Ios. 19. 10. &c. Esay 9. 1. The Chaldee Paraphrast expoundeth it, hee shall subdue provinces with ships, and shall eate the good things of the sea, &c. Moses giveth him a blessing, to rejoyce in his going out, or, trading, Deut. 33. 18.
Vers. 14. strong boned] Hebrew, asse of bone, that is, bony, hard, strong. two bounds] or set limits, borders: so the Chaldee paraphrast also expoundeth it; and Thargum Ierusalemy more plainly thus, Issachar shall be a strong tribe, and his border shall be in the midst betweene two borders, So also the Greeke translateth, amidds the inheritances. Others expound it, betweene two burdens; such as are layd on asses backes.
Vers. 15. rest:] this may bee a note of their slouthfulnesse: in respect whereof others are blamed, for sitting still betweene the two bounds, (or burdens) Iudg. 5. 16. Howbeit Moses biddeth them rejoyce in their tents, Deut. 33. 18. And the Ierusalemy Thargum expoundeth it, hee seeth the house of the sanctuary, that it proclaimeth rest, therefore it is good: &c. gathering this sense (as I suppose) from Moses words, they shall call the people unto the (Lords) mountaine, &c. Deut. 33. 19. Thus it is their praise, for loving to be quiet, and being contented with their portion. Compare with this the time when Thola of Issachar judged Israel, in whose time Israel had rest, Iudg. 10.
Vers. 16. judge] an allusion to Dans name, Dan Iadin: the Iudger shall judge: see Gen. 30. 6. This prophesie was fulfilled in Samson, one of his posteritie, who judged Israel, Iudg. 15. 20. So the Chaldee paraphrast explaineth it, Of the house of Dan shall a man be chosen and rise up: in whose daies his people shall bee delivered, &c. But the Ierusalemy Thargum nameth him, saying, this is Samson sonne of Manoah. the tribes] This name Tribe is borrowed from the Latine word Tribus, used for a stocke or kinred that discend from one father. For Romulus the founder of Rome, divided the multitude of his subjects into three parts, which hee named thereof Tribes, (as sheweth Pompon. Laetus de Rom. Magistrat.) But in the Hebrew a tribe is here called Shebet, that is, a staffe, rod, or scepter, (as is before touched, verse 10.) and elsewhere Matteh, which is also a rod or staffe; either because they grew as rods and branches out of one root Israel, as is particularly mentioned of Ioseph verse 22. or because their names were written upon twelve rods, Numb. 17. 2. &c. And this judging as one of the tribes, is so spoken, because each stocke or tribe, had one chiefe head and Prince, ruler of the same. Numb. 1. 4. 16. and God raised up Iudges and defenders of Israel, out of many severall tribes, as the booke of Iudges sheweth. Wherefore the Scripture (taking occasion also by likenesse of name) putteth one of these for another, as a Sam. 7. 7. spake I a word with any of the tribes, (or scepters Shibtei) of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people: for which in 1 Chron. 17. 6. is written, to any of the Iudges, (Shopt…i) of Israel, See also after, in verse 28.
Vers. 17. an addar] or arrow snake: this name (in Hebrew Shephiphon) is not elsewhere found in scripture. It is a prophesie of a sudden and unexspected victorie, which this tribe should get over their enemies, overthrowing them by subtiltie, (as serpents naturally are prudent, Gen. 3. 1.) Fulfilled in Samsons dealings against the Philistims, Iudg. 15. and 16. and when the tribe of Dan got Leshem (or Laish) for their possession: Iudg. 18. But Moses compareth Dan, to a Lyons whelpe, Deut. 33. 22. The Chaldee paraphraseth thus, There shall be a man that shall bee chosen and spring up out of the house of Dan, the feare of him shall fall upon the peoples, and he shall valiantly smite the Philistinis, as a serpent, as an addar he shall lye in wait by the path, he shall slay the mighty men in the campe of the Philistims, &c. the horse heeles] that is, the house pillars, on whose roofe 3000. persons were: see Iudg. 16. 26. 27. 29. &c.
Vers. 18. thy salvation] speaking to the Lord, and desiring his salvation in Christ, figured by Samson, of whom the Angel said, hee shall begin to save Israel, Iudg. 13. 5. Matt. 1▪ 21. The two Chaldee paraphrast explaine it thus. Our father Iakob said, I exspect not the salvation (or redemption) of Gedeon son of Ioash, which is a temporall salvation, nor the salvation of Samson sonne of Manoah, which is a transitorie salvation: but the salvation of Christ the sonne of David, who shall come to bring unto himselfe the sonnes of Israel, whose salvation my soule desireth. Thus Simeon also calleth Christ Gods salvation; Luk. 2. 30. Or Iakob might speake this to his son, I exspect Iehovah, to be thy salvation, O Dan: for this tribe generally, and Samson in particular, was sore oppressed, by the enemies, and their owne infirmities: Iudg. 1. 34. and 18. 1. 30. and 16. 16 17. 21. &c.
Vers. 19. a troupe] or band, armie: in Hebrew Gedud, which hath allusion to Gads name, that signifieth a troup, Gen. 30. 11. Hee prophesieth of this tribes troubles by enemies that bordered upon them; and of their victorie at last. For they dwelling on the out side of Iordan, Ios. 13. 8. were molested by the Ammonites there, Iudg. 10. 7. 8. and after that againe, the King of Ammon and his people, possessed Gad, and dwelt in his cities, Ier. 49. 1. with troupe-overcame] hee still runneth upon Gads name; which was not for nought given him, but signified his valour and victorie, though late. And Moses enlargeth this blessing, comparing his dwelling to a Lyons, that teareth the parts of his prey, Deut. 33. 20. This was fulfilled, when Gad (with Reuben and Manasses, all noble warriours,) warred with the Hagarims and other heathens; and crying unto God in the battell, were holpen, and did overcome, getting great spoiles and possessions, 1 Chron. 5. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. The Chaldee paraphrasts referre this, to Gads going armed over Iarden, before his brethren, and returning to his land with great riches, Ios. 4. 12. 13. and 22. 1. 2. 8.
Ver. 20. Concerning Aser] or Out of Aser; who had his name of blisse and felicitie: to him here is promised a blessed and fruitfull portion in the holy land: described in Ios. 19. 24. &c. bread] that is, food: for bread is used for all meats, See Gen. 3. 19. and 21. 14. and fat, is used for the best and most excellent of any thing, Gen. 4. 4. and 27. 28. The Chaldee saith, Asers land shall be very good, and he shall be nourished with Kings dainties. Moses also inclaring this blessing, sayd, Aser shall dip his foot in oile: Deut. 33. 24.
Vers. 21. let loose] and so light footed, both to pursue enemies, and escape danger. Thus David signifying his deliverance, sayd, God had made his feet like bindes, Psal. 18. 34. This may specially be referred to Barak a man of Naphtali, who with his people went up on his feet, against Siseraes yron charrets; put them to flight, pursued, and destroyed them all: Iudg. 4. 6. 10. 15. 16. Moses giveth Naphtali the fulnesse of Gods blessing, and pointeth out his inheritance in the land, Deut. 33. 23. To that the Chaldee referreth it here, saying, Naphtalies lot shall fall in a good land, and his possession shall be fruitfull. He had the sixt lot, described in Ios. 19. 32. 39. goodly sayings] Hebrew sayings of goodlinesse, or of fairnesse, that is, faire and pleasing words. Which in Baraks time was fulfilled, when his prowesse caused that pleasant song, which Deborah and he sang unto God for the victorie; Iudg. 5. The Chaldee (as before) referres it to the prayses and blessings that they should utter, for the good fruits of their land.
Vers. 22. son] that is, a bough, or branch, which springeth out of the tree, as a sonne from the father: the Greeke saith, agrowing sonne; so also the Chaldee paraphraseth, Ioseph a growing sonne, a sonne which shall be blessed as a vine that is planted by a well of waters. Whatsoever commeth of or from another, is in Hebrew called the sonne or daughter of the same, as the yong of beasts, birds, &c. Gē. 18. 7. arrowes are called sonnes of the bow, and of the quiver, Iob. 41.—28. Lam. 3. 13. sparks, are sonnes of the burning coale, Iob. 5. 7. and the like. And here the sonne or branch is twise named for Ioseph, and of him came two tribes; see Gen. 48. 56. Wherefore Moses nameth his two sonnes in Iosephs blessing, Deut. 33. 17. vine] this word understood in the Hebrew (as often the like are, Gen. 4. 20. and 25. 8.) is expressed in the Chaldee; and Thargum …er… …my sayth, I liken Ioseph my sonne, to a vine planted by a well of waters, that sendeth out her rootes to the deepes. The scripture else-where signifieth increase of children, by this similitude; Psal. 128. 3. by a well] by the waters whereof, the vine is made fruitfull, as Ezek. 19. 10. daughters] that is, the yong small and tender branches: as the greater, are before called sons. The Chaldee expounds this also of Iosephs sons, saying, two tribes shall come forth of his sonnes, and they shall receive their part and inheritance. See Gen. 48. 5. &c. over the wall] under which the vine groweth. This signifieth the abundant encrease of Iosephs sons, Ios. 17. 17.
Vers. 23. archers] Hebrew arrow masters, whereby also seemeth to be meant skilfull archers: as the Chaldee calleth them, strong men. See Gen. 37. 19. These were Iosephs brethren that hated and sold him into Egypt, Gen. 37. 4. 8. 11. 28. his mistresse that tempted and fasly accused; and his Master that imprisoned him, &c. Gen. 39. 7. 17. 20. Whereunto the Ierusalemy Thargum addeth the enchanters and wise men of Egypt that spake evill of him before Pharaoh.
Vers. 24. his bow] his faith. armes] his vertues, wisdome, chastitie, patience, &c. by which he resisted all enemies. Compare Psal. 18. 33. 35. The Chaldee paraphraseth, And the prophesie was fulfilled in them, for that he observed the law in secret, and set his hope constant. made firme] strong and solid, like fine gold; for of the Hebrew Phoz, (here used) fine solid gold is call Phaz, Psal. 19. 11. And this similitude the Chaldee explayneth, saying; therefore gold was put upon his armes: hee strengthened and confirmed his kingdome, which was giuen him, &c. Mighty-one] meaning God: as Ps. 132. 2. Esay 49. 26. & 60. 16. from thence] or whence hee was the feeder, or pastor. From God, Ioseph was advanced to be the feeder of Israel, as before is shewed, Gen. 45. 5. 7. 11. and 47. 12. The Chaldee saith, who by his word, fed the fathers and the sonnes of the tribes of Israel. the stone] the stay and strength of Israel. This may be referred also to Ioseph, (as Christ whom Ioseph figured is called a stone, Esay 28. 16.) or unto, God, fore-spoken of, who is the stone and rock of his church, by whom Ioseph was advanced.
Vers. 25. who shall helpe] Hebrew, and hee shall helpe; but the meaning of the phrase is, who shall helpe: as in Mal. 3. 1. and he shall prepare, is translated by the holy Ghost, which shall prepare, Mark. 1. 2. so in the sentence following. The Chaldee interpreteth it, The word of the God of thy father shall be thy helpe. of heavens] that is, the raine and dew, that shall make thy▪ land fruitfull: Deut. 33. 13. called in Ezek. 34. 26. the raine of blessings. the deepe] springs of waters out of the earth: see Gen. 7. 11. Deut. 33 13. the brests] or teats, to nourish children, as the wombe to beare them: that is, many and well noursed children: ten thousands of Ephraim, and thousands of Manasses, Deut. 33. 17. Contrary to this blessing, is that curse in Hos. 9. 14. give them a mis-carying womb, and dry brests.
Vers. 26. of thy father] that is, which I thy father doe blesse thee and thy brethren with. doe prevaile] or, are stronger then the blessings of my parents, that is, as the Chaldee saith, with which my fathers blessed me. Thus Iakob speaketh, because he more particularly explayned the blessings, and applyed them to his sonnes severally, and they were sooner to be fulfilled, and more largely communicated with all his posteritie, and Ioseph had a double portion. So Iohn Baptist is said to be more then a prophet, and no man greater then he, because hee came immediately before Christ, preparing his way, and pointing him out, as with the finger, Matt. 11. 9. 10. 11. Ioh. 1. 15 29. 36. of my progenitors] or parents, Isaak, Abraham, &c. The Greeke saith, of the mountaines: for horai, reading (with other vowels) harei; and respecting (it may be) Moses blessing, which hath harerei, mountains, Deut. 33. 15. unto the utmost bound] that is, these my blessings extend, to the bound (or end) of the hills; that is, all the world over, and so long as it indureth. For they conteyne besides earthly, heavenly blessings also in Christ; whom Ioseph and Iudah figured, in the first birthright and government. Hills and mounts, are used to signifie durance of things, as Esay 54. 10. The word bound. (in Hebrew Taavath,) may also be englished the desire, and so the Chaldee understands it, saying which (blessings) the great men which were of old, desired for themselves. By hills understanding his ancient forefathers. But in this sense it may be a cōtinuing of the blessings in the former verse, unto the desire, (that is, the desired fruits) of the lasting hills: according to Moses blessing, Deut. 33. 15. the separated] or, the Nazarite of his brethren. For a Nazarite hath his name of Separation, Numb. 6. 2. meaning here a choise and chiefe man, separated of God unto excellencie above his brethren; as the Greeke also translateth it, hee governed them. And hereupon Nezer, is used for a crown, put upon Kings and Priests, see Psal. 89. 40. and 132. 18.
Vers. 27. ravin] or teare his prey: a prophesie of the valour of this tribe, against their enemies, under the name of a Wolfe, as before Iudah was likened to a Lion. Neither need it be thought any dishonour to Benjamin, that hee is likened to a Wolfe: for even God likeneth himselfe to a Leopard and a Beare, in his dealings against his enemies, Hos. 13. 7. 8. in the morning] the first times: for Ehud of Benjamin, was the second Iudge that saved the Israelites from the hand of the Moabites, Iudg. 3. 15. &c. Saul of Benjamin was the first King of Israel, he and his sonne were great warriours, making a prey of many enemies; see 1 Sam. 11. 6. 7. 11. and 14. 13. 15. 47. 48. See also Benjamins warre against his brethren, Iudg. 20. 21. 25. at evening] in the last times: for Mordecai and Esther of Benjamin delivered the Iewes from a great destruction, in their dispersion, and they slew their enemies. See Esth. 8. 7. 9. 11. & 9. 5. 6. 15. 16. Of this tribe also, was Paul the Apostle, Phil. 3. 5. who spiritually fought the battles of the Lord against his enemies: 2 Cor. 10. 3. 4. &c. The Chaldee paraphrast understandeth this prophesie, (according to Moses blessing, Deut. 33. 12.) of the temple and sacrifices which were to be in Ierusalem, saying; Benjamin, in his land shall the divine Majestie dwell; and in his possession shall the sanctuary be builded: at morning and at evening the priests shall offer oblations, and at even tide they shall divide the remainder of their portions, of the things left which are sanctified. The Ierusalemy Thargum also giveth the same exposition.
Vers. 28. the twelve tribes] that is, heads and authors of the twelve tribes (or kinreds) that came of Israel; whereof see also Gen. 35. 22. and 49. 16. Therefore the Greeke saith the twelve sonnes of Iakob. even according to, &c] that is, with such a blessing as was meet for every of them, as Gods spirit did allot.
Vers. 29. my people] to my holy fathers, by death, as the 33. verse sheweth: see also the notes on Gen. 25. 8. of Ephron] bought of him, as the next verse sheweth. See Gen. 23. 9. 10. &c. and 47. 30.
Vers. 31. buried Leah] of her death and buriall, there was no mention before: neither of Rebekahs. These five, and Iakob himselfe the sixt, buried in one grave; the first letters of all their names, are contayned in that one name of ISRAEL.
Vers. 32. In the purchase] or understand, The purchase was bought. But the Greeke addeth the word In.
Vers. 33. his feet] this seemeth to denote his quiet betaking of himselfe to his rest: his former gesture, might bee for reverence to the word of God, which in these blessings hee uttered: as before hee is noted to have bowed himselfe, Gen. 47. 31.