Genesis 49:6-16

6 I will not join in their secret talks, Nor will I take part in their meetings, For they killed people in anger And they crippled bulls for sport.
7 A curse be on their anger, because it is so fierce, And on their fury, because it is so cruel. I will scatter them throughout the land of Israel. I will disperse them among its people.
8 "Judah, your brothers will praise you. You hold your enemies by the neck. Your brothers will bow down before you.
9 Judah is like a lion, 1 Killing his victim and returning to his den, Stretching out and lying down. No one dares disturb him.
10 Judah will hold the royal scepter, And his descendants will always rule. Nations will bring him tribute And bow in obedience before him.
11 He ties his young donkey to a grapevine, To the very best of the vines. He washes his clothes in blood-red wine.
12 His eyes are bloodshot from drinking wine, His teeth white from drinking milk.
13 "Zebulun will live beside the sea. His shore will be a haven for ships. His territory will reach as far as Sidon.
14 "Issachar is no better than a donkey That lies stretched out between its saddlebags.
15 But he sees that the resting place is good And that the land is delightful. So he bends his back to carry the load And is forced to work as a slave.
16 "Dan will be a ruler for his people. They will be like the other tribes of Israel.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 49.9Numbers 24.9;Revelation 5.5.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Probable text] Nations . . . tribute; [Hebrew unclear.]
  • [b]. His eyes . . . milk; [or] His eyes are darker than wine, his teeth are whiter than milk.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.