King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The blessings of your father are more powerful than the blessings of my parents, extending to the farthest of the everlasting hills; they will be on the head of Yosef, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
Berean Standard Bible:
The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.
American Standard Version:
The blessings of thy father Have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors Unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The blessings{H1293} of thy father{H1} have prevailed{H1396} above the blessings{H1293} of my progenitors{H2029} unto the utmost bound{H8379} of the everlasting{H5769} hills{H1389}: they shall be on the head{H7218} of Joseph{H3130}, and on the crown of the head{H6936} of him that was separate{H5139} from his brethren{H251}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 33:15
- And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,
Deuteronomy 33:16
- And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and [for] the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let [the blessing] come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him [that was] separated from his brethren.
Habakkuk 3:6
- He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways [are] everlasting.
Genesis 27:27
- And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son [is] as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
Genesis 27:29
- Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed [be] every one that curseth thee, and blessed [be] he that blesseth thee.
Psalms 105:17
- He sent a man before them, [even] Joseph, [who] was sold for a servant:
Psalms 105:22
- To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 49:26
Genesis 49:26 is part of the blessings that Jacob, also known as Israel, bestows upon his sons before his death. This verse specifically pertains to Joseph, Jacob's favored son, whose story is a significant thread in the Book of Genesis.
**Themes:**
1. **Favoritism and Blessings:** Jacob declares that Joseph's blessings surpass those of his ancestors, emphasizing the special status Joseph holds in his eyes and in the divine plan.
2. **Divine Favor:** The reference to "everlasting hills" suggests the permanence and divine origin of the blessings, indicating that Joseph's lineage will have an enduring legacy.
3. **Separation and Reunion:** The phrase "him that was separate from his brethren" alludes to Joseph's tumultuous relationship with his brothers, who sold him into slavery. Despite this, Joseph's trials lead to a position of power in Egypt, which eventually reunites the family and saves them from famine.
4. **Fertility and Prosperity:** The imagery of blessings being "on the head" and "on the crown" implies abundance and prosperity, which are common themes in ancient blessings.
**Historical Context:**
The verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where the patriarch's blessing was of great significance, often determining the future of the family line. It also mirrors the cultural importance of primogeniture and birthright, which Joseph's blessings challenge due to his younger age compared to his brothers.
At the time of writing, the Israelites were likely reflecting on their own history and identity, with Joseph's story serving as a foundational narrative that explains their presence in Egypt and the subsequent events leading to the Exodus. This verse, therefore, is not only a personal blessing but also a reflection on the collective destiny of the tribes of Israel, with Joseph's lineage (the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh) playing a prominent role in the nation's future.
In summary, Genesis 49:26 encapsulates the themes of divine favor, familial reconciliation, and the promise of enduring prosperity for Joseph and his descendants, set against the backdrop of Israel's formative years in Canaan and their eventual sojourn in Egypt.
*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: H1293
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּרָכָה
Transliteration: Bᵉrâkâh
Pronunciation: ber-aw-kaw'
Description: from בָרַךְ; benediction; by implication prosperity; blessing, liberal, pool, present. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H1396
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּבַר
Transliteration: gâbar
Pronunciation: gaw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently; exceed, confirm, be great, be mighty, prevail, put to more (strength), strengthen, be stronger, be valiant. - Strong's Number: H2029
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָרָה
Transliteration: hârâh
Pronunciation: haw-raw'
Description: a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively); been, be with child, conceive, progenitor. - Strong's Number: H8379
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תַּאֲוָה
Transliteration: taʼăvâh
Pronunciation: tah-av-aw'
Description: from תָּאָה; a limit, i.e. full extent; utmost bound. - Strong's Number: H5769
There are 414 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עוֹלָם
Transliteration: ʻôwlâm
Pronunciation: o-lawm'
Description: or עֹלָם; from עָלַם; properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always; alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare נֶצַח, עַד. - Strong's Number: H1389
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּבְעָה
Transliteration: gibʻâh
Pronunciation: ghib-aw'
Description: feminine from the same as גֶּבַע; a hillock; hill, little hill. - Strong's Number: H7218
There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹאשׁ
Transliteration: rôʼsh
Pronunciation: roshe
Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. - Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף. - Strong's Number: H6936
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קׇדְקֹד
Transliteration: qodqôd
Pronunciation: kod-kode'
Description: from קָדַד; the crown of the head (as the part most bowed); crown (of the head), pate, scalp, top of the head. - Strong's Number: H5139
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָזִיר
Transliteration: nâzîyr
Pronunciation: naw-zeer'
Description: or נָזִר; from נָזַר; separate, i.e. consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazirite); Nazarite (by a false alliteration with Nazareth), separate(-d), vine undressed. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.