Gen 49:8-12 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 49:8-12: 49:8-12 The blessing on Judah commands the most attention. In this oracle, Jacob predicted the fierce, lion -like dominance of Judah over his enemies and over his brothers, who would praise him (cp. 29:35 ; see, e.g., Ruth 4:11-12 ; 1 Sam 18:6-7 ; Pss 2 , 45 , 72 ; Isa 11:1-13 ).

Summary for Gen 49:8-12: 49:8-12 ^a The blessing on Judah commands the most attention. In this oracle, Jacob predicted the fierce, lion-like dominance of Judah over his enemies and over his brothers, who would praise him (cp. 29:35 ^b; see, e.g., Ruth 4:11-12 ^c; 1 Sam 18:6-7 ^d; Pss 2 ^e, 45 ^f, 72 ^g; Isa 11:1-13 ^h).
49:10 ⁱ This verse anticipates the kingship in Judah (cp. 17:6 ^j, 16 ^k; 35:11 ^l). Although the birthright blessing went to Joseph, Judah would provide Israel’s rulers (see 1 Chr 5:1-2 ^m). A long line of kings from Judah would retain the scepter, the symbol of rule; the last king would be the one to whom it belongs, the promised Messiah (see 2 Sam 7:4-16 ⁿ; Pss 2 ^o, 45 ^p, 60 ^q; Isa 11 ^r; Ezek 21:26-27 ^s; Zech 9:9 ^t; Rev 5:5 ^u).

• from his descendants: Literally from between his feet, a poetic euphemism for reproductive organs.

• until the coming of the one to whom it belongs (Or until tribute is brought to him and the peoples obey; traditionally rendered until Shiloh comes): These differences arise from ambiguities in the Hebrew text. Rule of Israel belongs to Judah’s descendant through David’s line (2 Sam 7:8-16 ^v), and he will eventually rule all nations, as signified by the bringing of tribute (see Pss 68:29 ^w; 72:8-11 ^x; Isa 2:2-4 ^y; Eph 4:8-10 ^z).
Summary for Gen 49:11-12: 49:11-12 ^aa These descriptions envision the abundance of the Messiah’s kingdom (see Isa 61:6-7 ^ab; 65:21-25 ^ac; Zech 3:10 ^ad). When the Messiah comes, there will be paradise-like splendor and abundance on the earth.

• He ties his foal to a grapevine: Grapevines will be so abundant that they will be used for hitching posts, and wine will be as abundant as fresh water (see Amos 9:13-14 ^ae; Zech 3:10 ^af).

• The coming one will have eyes ... darker than wine and teeth ... whiter than milk: He will be vigorous and healthy, as will be the era of his rule. Jesus’ miracle of changing water into wine (John 2:1-12 ^ag), his first sign, was an announcement that the Messiah had come; it was a foretaste of even better things to come.