Genesis 49:1

Authorized King James Version

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And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּקְרָ֥א called H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֥א called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 1 of 14
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב And Jacob H3290
יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב And Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 2 of 14
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
בָּנָ֑יו unto his sons H1121
בָּנָ֑יו unto his sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 4 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר and said H559
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ Gather yourselves together H622
הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ Gather yourselves together
Strong's: H622
Word #: 6 of 14
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
וְאַגִּ֣ידָה that I may tell H5046
וְאַגִּ֣ידָה that I may tell
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 7 of 14
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לָכֶ֔ם H0
לָכֶ֔ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 14
אֵ֛ת H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִקְרָ֥א you that which shall befall H7122
יִקְרָ֥א you that which shall befall
Strong's: H7122
Word #: 11 of 14
to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner
אֶתְכֶ֖ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּאַֽחֲרִ֥ית you in the last H319
בְּאַֽחֲרִ֥ית you in the last
Strong's: H319
Word #: 13 of 14
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
הַיָּמִֽים׃ days H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃ days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 14 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Cross References

Numbers 24:14And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.Jeremiah 23:20The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.Daniel 10:14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.Deuteronomy 4:30When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;Revelation 4:1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.Isaiah 2:2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.Psalms 105:15Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.Psalms 25:14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.Deuteronomy 31:12Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

Analysis & Commentary

And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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