Genesis 49:22

22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.[a]

Genesis 49:22 in Other Translations

KJV
22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
ESV
22 "Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall.
NLT
22 “Joseph is the foal of a wild donkey, the foal of a wild donkey at a spring— one of the wild donkeys on the ridge.
MSG
22 Joseph is a wild donkey, a wild donkey by a spring, spirited donkeys on a hill.
CSB
22 Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine beside a spring; its branches climb 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 food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.
21 “Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.
22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.
23 With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility.
24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

Cross References 3

  • 1. Genesis 30:24; Deuteronomy 33:13-17
  • 2. S Genesis 17:6; Psalms 128:3; Ezekiel 19:10
  • 3. Psalms 80:10

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "Joseph is a wild colt," / "a wild colt near a spring," / "a wild donkey on a terraced hill"
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