Bible Commentary

Genesis 49:19-21

Matthew Henry on Genesis 49:19-21

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Concerning Gad, Jacob alludes to his name, which signifies a troop, and foresees the character of that tribe. The cause of God and his people, though for a time it may seem to be baffled and run down, will be victorious at last.

It represents the Christian's conflict. Grace in the soul is often foiled in its conflicts; troops of corruption overcome it, but the cause is God's, and grace will in the end come off conqueror, yea, more than conqueror, Ro 8:37.

Asher should be a rich tribe. His inheritance bordered upon Carmel, which was fruitful to a proverb. Naphtali, is a hind let loose. We may consider it as a description of the character of this tribe.

Unlike the laborious ox and ass; desirous of ease and liberty; active, but more noted for quick despatch than steady labour and perseverance. Like the suppliant who, with goodly words, craves mercy. Let not those of different tempers and gifts censure or envy one another.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 49:1-33The patriarchal blessing, or the last words of Jacob, I. THE SONS OF LEAH. 1. The blessing on Reuben. 2. The blessings on Simeon and Levi. It is only by a species of irony that the words pronounced on the authors of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 49:1-33Last words. Jacob's benediction on his sons was a prophetic treasure, to be kept in store by future generations, and a foundation on which much faith could afterwards be built.. It has been called "the last full bloom o…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Genesis 49:13-21Here we have Jacob's prophecy concerning six of his sons. I. Concerning Zebulun (Genesis 49:13), that his posterity should have their lot upon the seacoast, and should be merchants, and mariners, and traders at sea. Thi…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 49:19Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. The threefold alliteration of the original, which is lost in the received translation, may be thus expressed: "Gad—a,press presses him, but he presses…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 49:20Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties—literally, dainties of, or for, the king. The first clause may be otherwise rendered: Of Asher the bread shall be fat (Kalisch); fat shall be his br…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 49:21Naphtaii is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. The LXX; followed by Dathe, Michaelis, Ewald, Bohlen, and others, read, Naphtali is a tall terebinth, that putteth forth beautiful boughs; but the word אַיָלָה signi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors