King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he saw that rest [was] good, and the land that [it was] pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
Complete Jewish Bible:
On seeing how good is settled life and how pleasant the country, he will bend his back to the burden, and submit to forced labor.
Berean Standard Bible:
He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.
American Standard Version:
And he saw a resting-place that it was good, And the land that it was pleasant; And he bowed his shoulder to bear, And became a servant under taskwork.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he saw{H7200} that rest{H4496} was good{H2896}, and the land{H776} that it was pleasant{H5276}; and bowed{H5186} his shoulder{H7926} to bear{H5445}, and became a servant{H5647} unto tribute{H4522}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 81:6
- I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
Ezekiel 29:18
- Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head [was] made bald, and every shoulder [was] peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:
2 Samuel 7:1
- ¶ And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
Matthew 23:4
- For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.
Judges 3:11
- And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
Joshua 14:15
- And the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba; [which Arba was] a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 49:15
Genesis 49:15 is part of the larger narrative in Genesis 49 where Jacob, also known as Israel, is blessing his sons before his death. In this specific verse, Jacob is speaking to his son Issachar.
**Themes:**
1. **Rest and Pleasure of the Land:** The verse suggests a contentment with a sedentary and comfortable life, valuing the tranquility and fertility of the land. Issachar is depicted as recognizing the goodness of rest and the pleasantness of the land he inhabits.
2. **Submission and Servitude:** Despite the attraction to comfort, Issachar is described as willing to submit to labor and even servitude for the sake of security or sustenance. The phrase "bowed his shoulder to bear" implies a readiness to carry burdens or endure hardship when necessary.
3. **Tribute and Subjugation:** The phrase "became a servant unto tribute" indicates that Issachar may have accepted a subservient role, possibly paying tribute or taxes to a foreign power in exchange for the ability to dwell in peace and prosperity in their territory.
**Historical Context:**
- **Tribal Dynamics:** The verse reflects the tribal dynamics of the period, where each tribe had its distinct characteristics and roles. Issachar's tribe was known for its strong work ethic and willingness to labor.
- **Settled Life:** At this time, the Israelites were transitioning from a semi-nomadic to a more settled agricultural lifestyle, which is consistent with Issachar's appreciation for the land and willingness to work it.
- **Foreign Domination:** The reference to servitude and tribute might allude to the periods when the Israelites were under the dominion of other nations, such as the Egyptians, Canaanites, or later the Assyrians and Babylonians.
In summary, Genesis 49:15 thematically touches on the appreciation for a peaceful and prosperous life, the virtue of hard work, and the reality of political subjugation. Historically, it reflects the early Israelite tribes' experiences with agriculture, their interactions with neighboring peoples, and the broader ancient Near Eastern context of power dynamics and tribute systems.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H4496
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְנוּחָה
Transliteration: mᵉnûwchâh
Pronunciation: men-oo-khaw'
Description: or מְנֻחָה; feminine of מָנוֹחַ; repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode; comfortable, ease, quiet, rest(-ing place), still. - Strong's Number: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H5276
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָעֵם
Transliteration: nâʻêm
Pronunciation: naw-ame'
Description: a primitive root; to be agreeable (literally or figuratively); pass in beauty, be delight, be pleasant, be sweet. - Strong's Number: H5186
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטָה
Transliteration: nâṭâh
Pronunciation: naw-taw'
Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. - Strong's Number: H7926
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁכֶם
Transliteration: shᵉkem
Pronunciation: shek-em'
Description: from שָׁכַם; the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of ahill; back, [idiom] consent, portion, shoulder. - Strong's Number: H5445
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָבַל
Transliteration: çâbal
Pronunciation: saw-bal'
Description: a primitive root; to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid; bear, be a burden, carry, strong to labour. - Strong's Number: H5647
There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָבַד
Transliteration: ʻâbad
Pronunciation: aw-bad'
Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, - Strong's Number: H4522
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַס
Transliteration: maç
Pronunciation: mas
Description: or מִס; from מָסַס; properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e. a tax in the form of forced labor; discomfited, levy, task(-master), tribute(-tary).