Genesis 49:22

22 "Joseph is like a grapevine that produces much fruit, a healthy vine watered by a spring, whose branches grow over the wall.

Genesis 49:22 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 49:22

Joseph is a fruitful bough
Or as one, like the bough or branch of a tree laden with fruit, as he was with children; one of which he called Ephraim from his fruitfulness, and both his sons became numerous, and the heads of two tribes in Israel; and with other temporal fruits and blessings, as riches, honour and especially with the fruits of grace and righteousness: [even] a fruitful bough by a well;
those are the most fruitful that are near a well or fountain of water, as such trees are which are planted by rivers of water, see ( Psalms 1:3 ) this being repeated may have respect to the two boughs or branches of Joseph's family, or the two fruitful and numerous tribes that sprung from him: whose branches run over the wall;
as such trees that are set against one, and by the reflected heat of the sun grow the more, and become more fruitful. The word for "branches" is "daughters", which some refer to the daughters of Manasseh and Zelophehad, who received their inheritance on both sides of Jordan; and others interpret it of the cities of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, as cities are sometimes called.

Genesis 49:22 In-Context

20 "Asher's land will grow much good food; he will grow food fit for a king.
21 "Naphtali is like a female deer that runs free, that has beautiful fawns.
22 "Joseph is like a grapevine that produces much fruit, a healthy vine watered by a spring, whose branches grow over the wall.
23 Archers attack him violently and shoot at him angrily,
24 but he aims his bow well. His arms are made strong. and his strength from the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.