The Blessing of Jacob's Sons
Genesis 49
Jacob gathers his twelve sons and speaks over each of them in turn, describing their character and what is to befall their descendants, including a word to Juda that a ruler and prince shall not fail from his line. After charging his sons to bury him in the cave opposite Mambre with Abraam, Isaac, and their wives, Jacob finishes speaking and dies.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHEN Jacob called his sons and said to them, Assemble that I may tell you what will happen to you in the latter days.
BrentonAnd Jacob called his sons, and said to them, Assemble yourselves, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in the last days.
GreekἘκάλεσε δὲ Ἰακὼβ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, συνάχθητε, ἵνα ἀναγγείλω ὑμῖν, τί ἀπαντήσει ὑμῖν ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμέρων.
KJVAnd Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
JPSAnd Jacob called unto his sons, and said: ‘Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the end of days.
2
ThomsonAssemble and hear me, ye sons of Jacob: Hearken to Israel; hearken to your father.
BrentonGather yourselves together, and hear me, sons of Jacob; hear Israel, hear your father.
GreekΣυνάχθητε, καὶ ἀκούσατέ μου, υἱοὶ Ἰακώβ· ἀκούσατε Ἰσραὴλ, ἀκούσατε τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν.
KJVGather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.
JPSAssemble yourselves, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; And hearken unto Israel your father.
3
ThomsonReuben my first-born! Thou my strength and the head of my children!
BrentonRuben, thou art my first-born, thou my strength, and the first of my children, hard to be endured, hard and self-willed.
GreekῬουβὴν πρωτότοκός μου, σὺ ἰσχύς μου, καὶ ἀρχὴ τέκνων μου, σκληρὸς φέρεσθαι, καὶ σκληρὸς αὐθάδης.
KJV—
JPSReuben, thou art my first-born, My might, and the first-fruits of my strength; The excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.
4
ThomsonToo imperious and too self sufficient! In the excess of thy insolence, Thou shouldst not have burst forth like water. For thou wentest up to thy father’s bed, Then thou pollutedst the couch to which thou wentest up.
BrentonThou wast insolent like water, burst not forth with violence, for thou wentest up to the bed of thy father; then thou defiledst the couch, whereupon thou wentest up.
GreekἘξύβρισας ὡς ὕδωρ, μὴ ἐκζέσῃς, ἀνέβης γὰρ ἐπὶ τὴν κοίτην τοῦ πατρός σου· τότε ἐμίανας τὴν στρωμνὴν, οὗ ἀνέβης.
KJVUnstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
JPSUnstable as water, have not thou the excellency; Because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; Then defiledst thou it—he went up to my couch.
5
ThomsonSymeon and Levi are brothers. They accomplished their iniquitous purpose.
BrentonSymeon and Levi, brethren, accomplished the injustice of their cutting off.
GreekΣυμεὼν καὶ Λευὶ ἀδελφοὶ συνετέλεσαν ἀδικίαν ἐξαιρέσεως αὐτῶν·
KJV—
JPS—
6
ThomsonO my soul, come not into their council; And in their conspiracy let not my passions be engaged. Because in their wrath they slew men, And in their rage ham-strung a bull;
BrentonLet not my soul come into their counsel, and let not mine inward parts contend in their conspiracy, for in their wrath they slew men, and in their passion they houghed a bull.
GreekΕἰς βουλὴν αὐτῶν μὴ ἔλθοι ἡ ψυχή μου, καὶ ἐπὶ τῇ συστάσει αὐτῶν μὴ ἐρίσαι τὰ ἥπατά μου· ὅτι ἐν τῷ θυμῷ αὐτῶν ἀπέκτειναν ἀνθρώπους, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ αὐτῶν ἐνευροκόπησαν ταῦρον.
KJVO my soul, come not thou into their secret; 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.
JPSLet my soul not come into their council; Unto their assembly let my glory not be not united; For in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they houghed oxen.
7
ThomsonCursed be their wrath, for it was headstrong; And their enmity, for it was bitter. I will parcel them out in Jacob And scatter them among Israel.
BrentonCursed be their wrath, for it was wilful, and their anger, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ θυμὸς αὐτὼν, ὅτι αὐθάδης· καὶ ἡ μῆνις αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἐσκληρύνθη· διαμεριῷ αὐτοὺς ἐν Ἰακὼβ, καὶ διασπερῷ αὐτοὺς ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVCursed 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.
JPSCursed 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.
8
ThomsonJuda! Let thy brethren praise thee: Thy hands shall be on the back of thy enemies. The sons of thine father shall bow down to thee.
BrentonJuda, thy brethren have praised thee, and thy hands shall be on the back of thine enemies; thy father's sons shall do thee reverence.
GreekἸούδα, σὲ αἰνέσαισαν οἱ ἀδελφοί σου· αἱ χεῖρές σου ἐπὶ νώτου τῶν ἐχθρῶν σου· προσκυνήσουσί σοι οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ πατρός σου.
KJVJudah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.
JPSJudah, thee shall thy brethren praise; Thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; Thy father’s sons shall bow down before thee.
9
ThomsonJuda is a lion’s whelp. From a vigorous stem, my son, thou art sprung. Couching down thou art gone to sleep Like a young lion: Who dare rouse him!
BrentonJuda is a lion's whelp: from the tender plant, my son, thou art gone up, having couched thou liest as a lion, and as a whelp; who shall stir him up?
GreekΣκύμνος λέοντος Ἰούδα· ἐκ βλαστοῦ, υἱέ μου, ἀνέβης· ἀναπεσὼν ἐκοιμήθης ὡς λέων καὶ ὡς σκύμνος· τίς ἐγερεῖ αὐτόν;
KJVJudah 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?
JPSJudah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, thou art gone up. He stooped down, he couched as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?
10
ThomsonA chief shall not fail from Juda Nor a leader from his loins Till the things reserved for him shall come— Even he, the expectation of nations.
BrentonA ruler shall not fail from Juda, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of nations.
GreekΟὐκ ἐκλείψει ἄρχων ἐξ Ἰούδα, καὶ ἡγούμενος ἐκ τῶν μηρῶν αὐτοῦ, ἕως ἐὰν ἔλθῃ τὰ ἀποκείμενα αὐτῷ· καὶ αὐτὸς προσδοκία ἐθνῶν.
KJVThe 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.
JPS—
11
ThomsonBinding his colt to a vine And his ass’ colt to the young vine, He will wash his robe in wine, And his mantle in the blood of the grape.
BrentonBinding his foal to the vine, and the foal of his ass to the branch of it, he shall wash his robe in wine, and his garment in the blood of the grape.
GreekΔεσμεύων πρὸς ἄμπελον τὸν πῶλον αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῇ ἕλικι τὸν πῶλον τῆς ὄνου αὐτοῦ, πλυνεῖ ἐν οἴνῳ τὴν στολὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν αἵματι σταφυλῆς τὴν περιβολὴν αὐτοῦ.
KJVBinding 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:
JPSBinding his foal unto the vine, And his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; He washeth his garments in wine, And his vesture in the blood of grapes;
12
ThomsonHis eyes are more exhilarating than wine, And his teeth are whiter than milk.
BrentonHis eyes shall be more cheering than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.
GreekΧαροποιοὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ὑπὲρ οἶνον· καὶ λευκοὶ οἱ ὀδόντες αὐτοῦ ἢ γάλα.
KJVHis eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
JPSHis eyes shall be red with wine, And his teeth white with milk.
13
ThomsonZabulon shall dwell by the sea; And he will be near the haven of ships, And will extend as far as Sidon.
BrentonZabulon shall dwell on the coast, and he shall be by a haven of ships, and shall extend to Sidon.
GreekΖαβουλὼν παράλιος κατοικήσει καὶ αὐτὸς παρʼ ὅρμον πλοίων, καὶ παρατενεῖ ἕως Σιδῶνος.
KJVZebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
JPS—
14
ThomsonIssachar desired earnestly what was good, Halting between two choices.
BrentonIssachar has desired that which is good; resting between the inheritances.
GreekἸσσάχαρ τὸ καλὸν ἐπεθύμησεν, ἀναπαυόμενος ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν κλήρων.
KJV—
JPS—
15
ThomsonBut seeing the resting place, that it was good, And the land, that it was fertile, He bowed his shoulder to labour And became a husbandman.
BrentonAnd having seen the resting place that it was good, and the land that it was fertile, he subjected his shoulder to labour, and became a husbandman.
GreekΚαὶ ἰδὼν τὴν ἀνάπαυσιν ὅτι καλὴ, καὶ τὴν γῆν ὅτι πίων, ὑπέθηκε τὸν ὦμον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ πονεῖν, καὶ ἐγενήθη ἀνὴρ γεωργός.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSFor he saw a resting-place that it was good, And the land that it was pleasant; And he bowed his shoulder to bear, And became a servant under task-work
16
ThomsonDan will judge his people And be like a tribe in Israel.
BrentonDan shall judge his people, as one tribe too in Israel.
GreekΔὰν κρινεῖ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, ὡσεὶ καὶ μία φυλὴ ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVDan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.
JPSDan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.
17
ThomsonLet Dan be indeed a serpent in the way, Lying in watch in a path, Biting the horse’s heel, That the horseman may fall backwards;
BrentonAnd let Dan be a serpent in the way, besetting the path, biting the heel of the horse (and the rider shall fall backward),
GreekΚαὶ γενηθητω Δὰν ὄφις ἐφʼ ὁδοῦ, ἐγκαθήμενος ἐπὶ τρίβου, δάκνων πτέρναν ἵππου· καὶ πεσεῖται ὁ ἱππεὺς εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω,
KJVDan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
JPSDan shall be a serpent in the way, A horned snake in the path, That biteth the horse’s heels, So that his rider falleth backward.
18
ThomsonWaiting continually the salvation of the Lord.
Brentonwaiting for the salvation of the Lord.
Greekτὴν σωτηρίαν περιμένων Κυρίου.
KJVI have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
JPSI wait for Thy salvation, O Lord.
19
ThomsonGad: Troops of plunderers will plunder him; And he to his utmost, will plunder them.
BrentonGad, a plundering troop shall plunder him; but he shall plunder him, pursuing him closely.
GreekΓὰδ, πειρατήριον πειρατεύσει αὐτόν· αὐτὸς δὲ πειράτεύσει αὐτὸν κατὰ πόδας.
KJVGad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
JPSGad, a troop shall troop upon him; But he shall troop upon their heel.
20
ThomsonAser. His meat will be fat And he will furnish dainties for princes.
BrentonAser, his bread shall be fat; and he shall yield dainties to princes.
GreekἈσὴρ, πίων αὐτοῦ ὁ ἄρτος· καὶ αὐτὸς δώσει τρυφὴν ἄρχουσι.
KJVOut of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
JPSAs for Asher, his bread shall be fat, And he shall yield royal dainties.
21
ThomsonNephthaleim is a spreading stock, Super-adding beauty to its product.
BrentonNephthalim is a spreading stem, bestowing beauty on its fruit.
GreekΝεφθαλὶ στέλεχος ἀνειμένον, ἐπιδιδοὺς ἐν τῷ γεννήματι κάλλος.
KJV—
JPS—
22
Thomson—
BrentonJoseph is a son increased; my dearly loved son is increased; my youngest son, turn to me.
GreekΥἱὸς ηὐξημένος Ἰωσὴφ, υἱὸς ηὐξημένος μου ζηλωτὸς, υἱός μου νεώτατος· πρός με ἀνάστρεψον.
KJV—
JPS—
23
Thomson—
BrentonAgainst whom men taking evil counsel reproached him, and the archers pressed hard upon him.
GreekΕἰς ὃν διαβουλευόμενοι ἐλοιδόρουν, καὶ ἐνεῖχον αὐτῷ κύριοι τοξευμάτων.
KJV—
JPS—
24
ThomsonThence he who hath strengthened Israel Is from the God of thy father;
BrentonBut their bow and arrows were mightily consumed, and the sinews of their arms were slackened by the hand of the mighty one of Jacob; thence is he that strengthened Israel from the God of thy father;
GreekΚαὶ συνετρίβη μετὰ κράτους τὰ τόξα αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐξελύθη τὰ νεῦρα βραχιόνων χειρὸς αὐτῶν, διὰ χεῖρα δυνάστου Ἰακώβ· ἐκεῖθεν ὁ κατισχύσας Ἰσραὴλ παρὰ Θεοῦ τοῦ πατρός σου.
KJVBut 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:)
JPSBut his bow abode firm, And the arms of his hands were made supple, By the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, From thence, from the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel,
25
ThomsonAnd my God hath helped thee; and blessed thee With the blessing of heaven from above, And with the blessing of a land having all things. By reason of the blessing of breasts and womb,
Brentonand my God helped thee, and he blessed thee with the blessing of heaven from above, and the blessing of the earth possessing all things, because of the blessing of the breasts and of the womb,
GreekΚαὶ ἐβοήθησέ σοι ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ἐμὸς, καὶ εὐλόγησέ σε εὐλογίαν οὐρανοῦ ἄνωθεν, καὶ εὐλογίαν γῆς ἐχούσης πάντα, εἵνεκεν εὐλογίας μαστῶν καὶ μήτρας,
KJVEven 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:
JPSEven 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 coucheth beneath, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb.
26
ThomsonHe hath made the blessings of thy father and mother, More durable than the blessings of perpetual mountains, And more permanent than the blessings of everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph And on the crown of the head of brothers Of whom he was the leader.
Brentonthe blessings of thy father and thy mother—it has prevailed above the blessing of the lasting mountains, and beyond the blessings of the everlasting hills; they shall be upon the head of Joseph, and upon the head of the brothers of whom he took the lead.
Greekεὐλογίας πατρός σου καὶ μητρός σου· ὑπερίσχυσεν ὑπὲρ εὐλογίας ὀρέων μονίμων, καὶ ἐπʼ εὐλογίαις θινῶν ἀενάων· ἔσονται ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ ἐπὶ κορυφῆς ὧν ἡγήσατο ἀδελφῶν.
KJVThe 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.
JPSThe blessings of thy father Are mighty beyond 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 the prince among his brethren.
27
ThomsonBenjamin is a ravening wolf. In the morning he is still eating, And for the evening he provideth food.
BrentonBenjamin, as a ravening wolf, shall eat still in the morning, and at evening he gives food.
GreekΒενιαμὶν λύκος ἅρπαξ, τὸ πρωϊνὸν ἔδεται ἔτι, καὶ εἰς τὸ ἑσπέρας δίδωσι τροφήν.
KJVBenjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
JPSBenjamin is a wolf that raveneth; In the morning he devoureth the prey, And at even he divideth the spoil.’
28
ThomsonAll these were the twelve sons of Jacob. And these were the words which their father spoke to them when he blessed them, each according to his peculiar blessing.
BrentonAll these are the twelve sons of Jacob; and their father spoke these words to them, and he blessed them; he blessed each of them according to his blessing.
GreekΠάντες οὕτοι υἱοὶ Ἰακὼβ δώδεκα· καὶ ταῦτα ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν· καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς· ἕκαστον κατὰ τὴν εὐλογίαν αὐτοῦ εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς.
KJVAll 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.
JPSAll these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is it that their father spoke unto them and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
29
ThomsonAnd when he had blessed them he said, I am going to be added to my people, and you shall bury me with my fathers,
BrentonAnd he said to them, I am added to my people; ye shall bury me with my fathers in the cave, which is in the field of Ephron the Chettite,
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, ἐγὼ προστίθεμαι πρὸς τὸν ἐμὸν λαόν· θάψτέ με μετὰ τῶν πατέρων μου ἐν τῷ σπηλαίῳ, ὅ ἐστιν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ Ἐφρὼν τοῦ Χετταίου,
KJVAnd 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,
JPSAnd be 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,
30
Thomsonin the cave which is in the field of Ephron the Chettite, in the double cave which is over against Mambre in the land of Chanaan—the cave which Abraham bought of Ephron the Chettite for the possession of a burying place.
Brentonin the double cave which is opposite Mambre, in the land of Chanaan, the cave which Abraam bought of Ephron the Chettite, for a possession of a sepulchre.
Greekἐν τῷ σπηλαίῳ τῷ διπλῷ, τῷ ἀπέναντι Μαμβρῆ, ἐν γῇ Χαναὰν, ὃ ἐκτήσατο Ἁβραὰμ τὸ σπήλαιον παρὰ Ἐφρὼν τοῦ Χετταίου ἐν κτήσει μνημείου.
KJVIn 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.
JPSin the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a burying-place.
31
ThomsonThere they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaak and Rebekka his wife. There Leia was buried—
BrentonThere they buried Abraam and Sarrha his wife; there they buried Isaac, and Rebecca his wife; there they buried Lea;
GreekἘκεῖ ἔθαψαν Ἁβραὰμ καὶ Σάῤῥαν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ· ἐκεῖ ἔθαψαν Ἰσαὰκ καὶ Ῥεβέκκαν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ· ἐκεῖ ἔθαψαν Λείαν·
KJVThere they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
JPSThere they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
32
Thomsonin the field namely in the cave in it, which was purchased of the children of Chet.
Brentonin the portion of the field, and of the cave that was in it, purchased of the sons of Chet.
GreekἘν κτήσει τοῦ ἀγροῦ καὶ τοῦ σπηλαίου τοῦ ὄντος ἐν αὐτῷ, παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Χέτ.
KJVThe purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth.
JPSThe field and the cave that is therein, which was purchased from the children of Heth.’
33
ThomsonAnd when Jacob had finished this charge to his sons he drew up his feet into the bed and gave up the ghost and was added to his people.
BrentonAnd Jacob ceased giving charges to his sons; and having lifted up his feet on the bed, he died, and was gathered to his people.
GreekΚαὶ κατέπαυσεν Ἰακὼβ ἐπιτάσσων τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐξᾴρας τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν κλίνην, ἐξέλιπε· καὶ προσετέθη πρὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd when Jacob made an end of charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and expired, and was gathered unto his people.