Genesis 49:22

22 Joseph is a fruitful vine— a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. [a]

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 food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.
21 Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.
22 Joseph is a fruitful vine— a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall.
23 The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility.
24 Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or Joseph is a wild donkey, a wild donkey by a spring, with his wild colts beside the wall
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