Genesis 49:2

2 "Sons of Jacob, come together and listen. Listen to your father Israel.

Genesis 49:2 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 49:2

Gather yourselves together
This is repeated to hasten them, and to suggest that he had something of importance to make known unto them, which he chose to do, when they were together: and hear, ye sons of Jacob, and hearken to Israel your father:
these words are used and doubled to excite their attention to what he was about to say, and which is urged from the near relation there was between them.

Genesis 49:2 In-Context

1 Then Jacob sent for his sons. He said, "Gather around me so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.

2 "Sons of Jacob, come together and listen. Listen to your father Israel.

3 "Reuben, you are my oldest son. You were my first child. You were the first sign of my strength. You were first in honor. You were first in power.

4 But you are as unsteady as water. So you won't be first anymore. You had sex with your father's concubine in his bed. You lay on his couch and made it 'unclean.'

5 "Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords have killed a lot of people.