Hebrews Chapter 11 · Verse 21
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Original Language Analysis
Πίστει
By faith
G4102
Πίστει
By faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
1 of 16
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ἀποθνῄσκων
when he was a dying
G599
ἀποθνῄσκων
when he was a dying
Strong's:
G599
Word #:
3 of 16
to die off (literally or figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῶν
the sons
G5207
υἱῶν
the sons
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
6 of 16
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
εὐλόγησεν
blessed
G2127
εὐλόγησεν
blessed
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
8 of 16
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσεκύνησεν
worshipped
G4352
προσεκύνησεν
worshipped
Strong's:
G4352
Word #:
10 of 16
to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
ἐπὶ
leaning upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
leaning upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jacob lived approximately 1750 BC and died in Egypt where his family had sought refuge from famine. Though patriarch of God's covenant people, he spent his final seventeen years in foreign land, never possessing Canaan except for a burial plot. Yet he made Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan with Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 47:29-31), demonstrating faith in God's promise that his descendants would inherit the land. Ancient Egyptian culture valued dying in one's homeland; Jacob's request to be buried in Canaan testified to his true citizenship being in the Promised Land, not Egypt.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jacob's example challenge you to persevere in faith even when God's promises aren't fulfilled in your lifetime?
- What does Jacob's worship in weakness teach about genuine faith during suffering or physical decline?
- In what ways are you 'leaning on your staff'—depending on God's strength when your own fails?
Analysis & Commentary
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. On his deathbed in Egypt, Jacob exercised faith by blessing Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48), allocating the covenant inheritance to the next generation. His worship while 'leaning upon the top of his staff' pictures weakness sustained by divine strength—an old man's body failing but faith remaining vigorous. The staff represents both physical support and the pilgrim's walking stick, symbolizing his lifelong journey of faith.
Jacob's crossing of his hands to give the superior blessing to younger Ephraim over firstborn Manasseh (Genesis 48:14) again demonstrates God's sovereign election transcending cultural norms. Despite Joseph's protest, Jacob insisted on God's revealed will, prophetically establishing that Ephraim's descendants would surpass Manasseh's. This continues the pattern of God choosing younger over older—Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Ephraim over Manasseh—emphasizing that covenant blessing flows from grace, not natural right.
Jacob's worship at life's end reveals genuine faith's perseverance. After a lifetime of struggle, scheming, suffering, and eventual transformation, Jacob died as 'Israel'—a prince with God. His worship wasn't based on comfortable circumstances (he was in Egypt, not the Promised Land) but on God's faithful promises. True faith endures to the end, worshipping God in weakness, trusting His purposes will prevail beyond our own lifetimes.