Genesis 49:25

Authorized King James Version

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Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

Original Language Analysis

מֵאֵ֨ל Even by the God H410
מֵאֵ֨ל Even by the God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 1 of 16
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
אָבִ֜יךָ of thy father H1
אָבִ֜יךָ of thy father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 2 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְיַעְזְרֶ֗ךָּ who shall help H5826
וְיַעְזְרֶ֗ךָּ who shall help
Strong's: H5826
Word #: 3 of 16
to surround, i.e., protect or aid
וְאֵ֤ת H853
וְאֵ֤ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שַׁדַּי֙ the Almighty H7706
שַׁדַּי֙ the Almighty
Strong's: H7706
Word #: 5 of 16
the almighty
וִיבָ֣רְכֶ֔ךָּ who shall bless H1288
וִיבָ֣רְכֶ֔ךָּ who shall bless
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 6 of 16
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
בִּרְכֹ֥ת blessings H1293
בִּרְכֹ֥ת blessings
Strong's: H1293
Word #: 7 of 16
benediction; by implication prosperity
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ of heaven H8064
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ of heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 8 of 16
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
מֵעָ֔ל H5921
מֵעָ֔ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בִּרְכֹ֥ת blessings H1293
בִּרְכֹ֥ת blessings
Strong's: H1293
Word #: 10 of 16
benediction; by implication prosperity
תְּה֖וֹם of the deep H8415
תְּה֖וֹם of the deep
Strong's: H8415
Word #: 11 of 16
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
רֹבֶ֣צֶת that lieth H7257
רֹבֶ֣צֶת that lieth
Strong's: H7257
Word #: 12 of 16
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
תָּ֑חַת H8478
תָּ֑חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 13 of 16
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
בִּרְכֹ֥ת blessings H1293
בִּרְכֹ֥ת blessings
Strong's: H1293
Word #: 14 of 16
benediction; by implication prosperity
שָׁדַ֖יִם of the breasts H7699
שָׁדַ֖יִם of the breasts
Strong's: H7699
Word #: 15 of 16
the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)
וָרָֽחַם׃ and of the womb H7356
וָרָֽחַם׃ and of the womb
Strong's: H7356
Word #: 16 of 16
compassion (in the plural)

Analysis & Commentary

Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with b... 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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