22 " Joseph is a fruitful bough , A fruitful bough by a spring ; Its branches run over a wall . 23 "The archers e bitterly attacked him, And shot at him and harassed him; 24 But his bow remained firm , And his arms were agile , From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd , the Stone of Israel ), 25 From the God of your father who helps you, And by the Almighty who blesses you With blessings of heaven above e , Blessings of the deep that lies beneath , Blessings of the breasts and of the womb . 26 "The blessings of your father Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills ; May they be on the head of Joseph , And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 49:22-26
Commentary on Genesis 49:22-27
(Read Genesis 49:22-27)
The blessing of Joseph is very full. What Jacob says of him, is history as well as prophecy. Jacob reminds him of the difficulties and fiery darts of temptations he had formerly struggled through. His faith did not fail, but through his trials he bore all his burdens with firmness, and did not do anything unbecoming. All our strength for resisting temptations, and bearing afflictions, comes from God; his grace is sufficient. Joseph became the shepherd of Israel, to take care of his father and family; also the stone of Israel, their foundation and strong support. In this, as in many other things, Joseph was a remarkable type of the Good Shepherd, and tried Corner Stone of the whole church of God. Blessings are promised to Joseph's posterity, typical of the vast and everlasting blessings which come upon the spiritual seed of Christ. Jacob blessed all his sons, but especially Joseph, "who was separated from his brethren." Not only separated in Egypt, but, possessing eminent dignity, and more devoted to God. Of Benjamin it is said, He shall ravin as a wolf. Jacob was guided in what he said by the Spirit of prophecy, and not by natural affection; else he would have spoken with more tenderness of his beloved son Benjamin. Concerning him he only foresees and foretells, that his posterity should be a warlike tribe, strong and daring, and that they should enrich themselves with the spoils of their enemies; that they should be active. Blessed Paul was of this tribe, Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5; he, in the morning of his day, devoured the prey as a persecutor, but in the evening divided the spoils as a preacher; he shared the blessings of Judah's Lion, and assisted in his victories.