Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 49בראשית 49

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Jacob's final speech gathers prophecy, tribal characterization, remembered sin, future preeminence, and burial command into one of Genesis' most programmatic closing scenes. This movement is not a simple set of private paternal wishes. It reads the sons in relation to what has already happened in the narrative, and at the same time projects them forward into Israel's future as tribes. Reuben's instability is judged through his earlier defilement, Simeon and Levi are still shadowed by the violence at Shechem, Judah receives the language of praise, dominion, and enduring rule, Joseph is blessed with the richest language of fruitfulness and divine support, and Benjamin closes the sayings with fierce predatory energy. What emerges is a mixture of blessing, rebuke, destiny, and remembered moral history. This movement therefore serves as a bridge from the patriarchal family to the later tribal nation: the sons are still Jacob's household, yet they are already being read as Israel in concentrated form. Its closing return to the cave of Machpelah then anchors all the future-looking speech in ancestral continuity, so that prophecy over the tribes and burial with the fathers stand together as the final act of Jacob's life.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Jacob's final words over his sons are poetic, compressed, and often lexically difficult, so the narrative must be translated with more tolerance for density and allusion than a flatter prose passage would require. Verse 1's 'what shall befall you in the latter days' should retain its forward-looking force without forcing later technical eschatology into every line. Verse 2's doubled summons marks the speech as solemn final gathering. Reuben's saying in verses 3-4 combines dignity and loss: יתר, פחז, and the closing line about ascending the father's bed require translation that preserves both former precedence and irrevocable forfeiture. Verses 5-7 on Simeon and Levi are inseparable from the Shechem violence, and the line about uprooting an ox or hamstringing a bull remains a crux where the vividness of the Hebrew should not be over-smoothed. Judah's oracle in verses 8-12 contains some of the narrative's most discussed lines. Verse 10 especially is a major crux: שֵׁבֶט, מחקק, and the phrase עד כי יבא שילה are all debated, and the wording should be preserved with care rather than collapsed into premature certainty. Verses 11-12 are likewise dense with abundance imagery, vine language, wine, and bodily brightness. Zebulun and Issachar in verses 13-15 move through terse geographic and animal metaphors that should remain compact. Dan's saying in verses 16-18 combines judicial wordplay, serpent imagery, and the abrupt cry 'For your salvation I wait, O YHWH,' which should not be detached from its placement in the sequence. Gad, Asher, and Naphtali in verses 19-21 are similarly compressed and depend heavily on sound-play and image. Joseph's blessing in verses 22-26 is the longest and most elaborated. Verse 22's בן פרת and the following imagery are lexically difficult, verse 24 contains several famous cruxes in the language of bow, arms, the Mighty One of Jacob, shepherd, and stone of Israel, and verses 25-26 pile up blessing language from above and below in a way that should remain lush rather than over-disciplined. Benjamin's line in verse 27 should preserve its stark predatory force. Verse 28 is important because it labels the whole sequence a blessing, even though some sayings are heavily judicial or chastening. The burial instructions in verses 29-32 then return from poetry to ancestral prose memory, deliberately naming Machpelah, Ephron, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah. Verse 33 closes with the classic patriarchal death formula, and the gathering to his people should retain its ancestral depth rather than being reduced to a mere euphemism for dying. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיִּקְרָ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶל בָּנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ וְאַגִּ֣ידָה לָכֶ֔ם אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָ֥א אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית הַיָּמִֽים

Then Jacob called his sons and said, 'Gather yourselves, and I will tell you what shall happen to you in the latter days.'

Jacob summons the sons for a forward-looking final speechוַיִּקְרָ֥א
The gathering is formal and prophetic: the father speaks not only over present sons but toward their future as Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand he calledconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'call, summon'; formal deathbed summoning of the twelve.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobproper N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of callingיַעֲקֹב (H3290), patriarch whose alternate name was Israel (H3478).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413), directional or addressee preposition, 'to, toward.'
בָּנָ֑יוhis sonsN m pl constr + 3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Object of summonsבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; suffix = Jacob's; the twelve sons become the twelve tribes.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Speech-introduction verb→ Wayyiqtol: narrative sequenceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces the extended prophetic oracle over the sons.
הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙gather yourselvesNiphal impv 2mp · אָסַף (H622)Imperative command (solemn assembly)→ Volitional: solemn assembly commandאָסַף (H622) Niphal 'gather together'; formal convocation before a prophetic speech.
וְאַגִּ֣ידָהlet me declareconj + Hiphil cohort 1cs · נָגַד (H5046)Cohortative of purpose→ Volitional: cohortative of resolveנָגַד (H5046) Hiphil 'declare, make known'; prophetic disclosure of divinely-given future.
לָכֶ֔םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffIndirect object
אֵ֛ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֲשֶׁרwhatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (object)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle here = 'that which, what'; content of the declaration.
יִקְרָ֥אwill befallQal impf 3ms · קָרָא (H7122)Predicate of relative clause→ Yiqtol: future certaintyקָרָא (H7122) 'meet, befall, happen to'; distinct from H7121; subject is the events, object אֶתְכֶם.
אֶתְכֶ֖םyou (pl)obj marker + 2mp suff · אֵת (H853)Object of יִקְרָאSuffixed אֵת marks 'you' (pl) as direct object of H7122.
בְּאַחֲרִ֥יתin the latterprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אַחֲרִית (H319)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחֲרִית (H319) 'end, latter part, future'; phrase בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים = 'in the latter days,' a prophetic horizon.
הַיָּמִֽיםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive of אַחֲרִיתיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; הַיָּמִים in construct with אַחֲרִית frames the whole speech as future-oriented prophecy.
2

הִקָּבְצ֥וּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֑ב וְשִׁמְע֖וּ אֶל יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל אֲבִיכֶֽם

'Assemble yourselves and hear, sons of Jacob, and listen to Israel your father.'

The sons are called to hear Israel their father in solemn assemblyהִקָּבְצ֥וּ
The doubled summons heightens the gravity of the scene and marks what follows as more than casual family speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
הִקָּבְצ֥וּassembleNiphal impv 2mp · קָבַץ (H6908)Imperative (doubled summons)→ Volitional: solemn doubled commandקָבַץ (H6908) Niphal 'gather, assemble'; near-synonym of אָסַף, the doubling intensifies solemnity.
וְשִׁמְע֖וּand hearconj + Qal impv 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Imperative command→ Volitional: urgent hearing commandשָׁמַע (H8085) 'hear, listen, obey'; oracular call to receptive attentiveness.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Vocative (addressees)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; constr vocative 'sons of Jacob' = the assembled twelve.
יַעֲקֹ֑בJacobproper N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive of vocativeיַעֲקֹב (H3290), the speaker; use of Jacob-name rather than Israel emphasizes familial identity.
וְשִׁמְע֖וּand hearconj + Qal impv 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Repeated imperative (solemnity)→ Volitional: repetition for emphasisSecond occurrence of שָׁמַע (H8085); the repetition marks the oracle as authoritative prophetic address.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥לIsraelproper N · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of שִׁמְעוּיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Jacob's covenant name; shifts address to prophetic-national register.
אֲבִיכֶֽםyour fatherN m sg constr + 2mp suff · אָב (H1)Appositive to יִשְׂרָאֵלאָב (H1) 'father'; 'Israel your father' merges the covenantal name with familial role and authority.
3

רְאוּבֵן֙ בְּכֹ֣רִי אַ֔תָּה כֹּחִ֖י וְרֵאשִׁ֣ית אוֹנִ֑י יֶ֥תֶר שְׂאֵ֖ת וְיֶ֥תֶר עָֽז

'Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the beginning of my vigor, excelling in dignity and excelling in might.'

Reuben is named in firstborn dignity and strengthרְאוּבֵן֙
Jacob begins with the natural order of primogeniture, naming the weight and promise that belonged to the firstborn.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
רְאוּבֵן֙Reubenproper N · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Vocative (addressee)רְאוּבֵן (H7205), firstborn of Jacob and Leah; name connects to רָאָה 'see' + בֵּן 'son'.
בְּכֹ֣רִיmy firstbornN m sg constr + 1cs suff · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Predicate appositiveבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; carries rights of double portion and leadership — here acknowledged before being revoked.
אַ֔תָּהyoupers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic)אַתָּה (H859) independent pronoun 2ms; emphatic — 'you yourself are my firstborn.'
כֹּחִ֖יmy strengthN m sg constr + 1cs suff · כֹּחַ (H3581)Appositive predicateכֹּחַ (H3581) 'strength, vigor'; father celebrates Reuben as embodiment of his own prime vitality.
וְרֵאשִׁ֣יתand the beginningconj + N f sg constr · רֵאשִׁית (H7225)Coordinate appositiveרֵאשִׁית (H7225) 'beginning, first, chief'; Reuben is the first-fruit of Jacob's generative power.
אוֹנִ֑יmy vigorN m sg constr + 1cs suff · אוֹן (H202)Genitive of רֵאשִׁיתאוֹן (H202) 'vigor, strength, wealth'; poetic near-synonym of כֹּחַ — double acknowledgment of firstborn status.
יֶ֥תֶרexcelling inN m sg constr · יֶתֶר (H3499)Predicate (superiority)יֶתֶר (H3499) 'remainder, excellence, pre-eminence'; in construct with following nouns signals surpassing dignity.
שְׂאֵ֖תdignityN f sg abs · שְׂאֵת (H7613)Genitive of יֶתֶרשְׂאֵת (H7613) 'exaltation, dignity, loftiness'; from נָשָׂא 'lift'; the social and ceremonial elevation of the firstborn.
וְיֶ֥תֶרand excelling inconj + N m sg constr · יֶתֶר (H3499)Coordinate phraseSecond יֶתֶר reinforces the parallelism: dignity and might are both pre-eminences Reuben possessed.
עָֽזmightN m sg abs · עַז (H5794)Genitive of second יֶתֶרעַז (H5794) 'strength, fierce power'; root עזז 'be strong'; the forceful dimension of firstborn rank.
4

פַּ֤חַז כַּמַּ֨יִם֙ אַל תּוֹתַ֔ר כִּ֥י עָלִ֖יתָ מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣י אָבִ֑יךָ אָ֥ז חִלַּ֖לְתָּ יְצוּעִ֥י עָלָֽה

'Boiling over like waters, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father's bed; then you profaned it. He went up to my couch.'

Reuben’s instability and sexual profanation explain the loss of preeminenceפַּ֤חַז
The firstborn’s privilege is revoked because the father reads his earlier defilement as decisive for his future standing.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
פַּ֤חַזrecklessN m sg abs · פַּחַז (H6349)Predicate nominativeפַּחַז (H6349) 'wantonness, recklessness'; hapax; root פחז = uncontrolled turbulence; grounds the revocation.
כַּמַּ֨יִם֙like watersprep כְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Comparative simileמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; unbounded, uncontrollable water images Reuben's unstable character.
אַלdo notneg particle · אַל (H408)Negative particle (jussive)אַל (H408) volitional negative, used with jussive; 'you shall not (excel).'
תּוֹתַ֔רexcelHiphil juss 2ms · יָתַר (H3498)Negated jussive (forfeiture)→ Volitional: negative jussive of forfeitureיָתַר (H3498) Hiphil 'have pre-eminence, excel'; negated = loss of the firstborn supremacy just named.
כִּ֥יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal 'because, for'; grounds the loss of pre-eminence in a specific act.
עָלִ֖יתָyou went upQal perf 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed transgressionעָלָה (H5927) 'go up, ascend'; euphemistic for sexual approach — 'you went up to your father's bed.'
מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣יthe beds ofN m pl constr · מִשְׁכָּב (H4904)Object of עָלִיתָמִשְׁכָּב (H4904) 'bed, resting place'; from שָׁכַב 'lie'; plural indicates the sleeping place of the father.
אָבִ֑יךָyour fatherN m sg constr + 2ms suff · אָב (H1)Genitive of מִשְׁכְּבֵיאָב (H1) 'father'; the offense is sexual violation of the father's marital space (cf. Gen 35:22).
אָ֥זthenadv · אָז (H227)Temporal adverbאָז (H227) 'then, at that time'; marks the transgressive moment with temporal precision.
חִלַּ֖לְתָּyou profanedPiel perf 2ms · חָלַל (H2490)Predicate verb (result clause)→ Perfective: decisive act of profanationחָלַל (H2490) Piel 'profane, desecrate'; the couch is rendered ritually and morally defiled.
יְצוּעִ֥יmy couchN m sg constr + 1cs suff · יָצוּעַ (H3326)Object of חִלַּלְתָּיָצוּעַ (H3326) 'bed, couch'; rare noun (here and Song 1:16); the father's bed = marital and paternal honor.
עָלָֽהhe went upQal perf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Resumptive predicate (3rd person)→ Perfective: completed deedShift from 2nd to 3rd person ('he') may indicate citation of earlier tradition or heightened indictment.
5

שִׁמְע֥וֹן וְלֵוִ֖י אַחִ֑ים כְּלֵ֥י חָמָ֖ס מְכֵרֹתֵיהֶֽם

'Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their implements.'

Simeon and Levi are joined together under the sign of violenceשִׁמְע֥וֹן
Their fraternity is not praised but interpreted through instruments of brutality and remembered bloodshed.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
שִׁמְע֥וֹןSimeonproper N · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)Subject (dual subject)שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095), second son of Jacob and Leah; name from שָׁמַע 'hear'.
וְלֵוִ֖יand Leviconj + proper N · לֵוִי (H3878)Coordinate subjectלֵוִי (H3878), third son of Jacob; joined with Simeon as co-perpetrators of the Shechem violence (Gen 34).
אַחִ֑יםbrothersN m pl abs · אָח (H251)Predicate nominativeאָח (H251) 'brother'; their fraternal bond is noted — but here it names solidarity in violence, not virtue.
כְּלֵ֥יweapons ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Subject (nominal clause)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, implement, weapon'; in construct with חָמָס = instruments of brutality.
חָמָ֖סviolenceN m sg abs · חָמָס (H2555)Genitive of כְּלֵיחָמָס (H2555) 'violence, wrong, cruelty'; a weighty ethical term in the HB (cf. Gen 6:11, Amos 3:10).
מְכֵרֹתֵיהֶֽםtheir swordsN f pl constr + 3mp suff · מְכֵרָה (H4380)Predicate (their defining instruments)מְכֵרָה (H4380) hapax; context and ancient versions suggest 'sword' or 'weapon'; the instrument of Shechem slaughter.
6

בְּסֹדָם֙ אַל תָּבֹ֣א נַפְשִׁ֔י בִּקְהָלָ֖ם אַל תֵּחַ֣ד כְּבֹדִ֑י כִּ֤י בְאַפָּם֙ הָ֣רְגוּ אִ֔ישׁ וּבִרְצֹנָ֖ם עִקְּרוּ שֽׁוֹר

'Into their council let not my soul come; with their assembly let not my glory be joined, for in their anger they killed a man, and in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.'

Jacob dissociates himself from their council and condemns their wrathבְּסֹדָם֙
The father refuses solidarity with their violent inner life and names their past deeds as morally disqualifying.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
בְּסֹדָם֙in their councilprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suff · סוֹד (H5475)Locative prepositional phrase (fronted)סוֹד (H5475) 'council, secret, intimate circle'; Jacob refuses entry into their conspiratorial inner circle.
אַלlet notneg particle · אַל (H408)Negative particle (jussive)אַל (H408) volitional negative; with jussive 'let not my soul come.'
תָּבֹ֣אcomeQal juss 3fs · בּוֹא (H935)Negated jussive (self-distancing)→ Volitional: jussive of avoidanceבּוֹא (H935) 'come, enter'; subject is נַפְשִׁי 'my soul'; Jacob refuses moral complicity.
נַפְשִׁ֔יmy soulN f sg constr + 1cs suff · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of jussiveנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, life-breath'; used as the innermost self; the whole person of Jacob.
בִּקְהָלָ֖םin their assemblyprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suff · קָהָל (H6951)Locative prepositional phrase (fronted)קָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation'; parallel to סוֹד; a near-synonym stressing corporate collective action.
אַלlet notneg particle · אַל (H408)Negative particle (jussive)
תֵּחַ֣דbe unitedQal juss 3fs · יָחַד (H3161)Negated jussive (self-distancing)→ Volitional: jussive of refusalיָחַד (H3161) 'be united, join'; rare verb — Jacob refuses that his honor (כָּבוֹד) be joined to their assembly.
כְּבֹדִ֑יmy gloryN m sg constr + 1cs suff · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Subject of second jussiveכָּבוֹד (H3519) 'glory, honor, reputation'; Jacob's identity-as-honor refuses association with the violent assembly.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the factual basis for Jacob's self-distancing.
בְאַפָּם֙in their angerprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suff · אַף (H639)Instrumental/causal prepositional phraseאַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; primary Hebrew metonymy for wrath — the flaring nostril.
הָ֣רְגוּthey killedQal perf 3cp · הָרַג (H2026)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed violent actהָרַג (H2026) 'kill, slay'; refers to the massacre at Shechem (Gen 34:25-26).
אִ֔ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Object of הָרְגוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; singular may be distributive ('each man they killed') or refer specifically to Hamor and Shechem.
וּבִרְצֹנָ֖םand in their willconj + prep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suff · רָצוֹן (H7522)Coordinate instrumental phraseרָצוֹן (H7522) 'will, pleasure, self-will'; here = willful, self-authorized brutality without higher mandate.
עִקְּרוּthey hamstrungPiel perf 3cp · עָקַר (H6131)Predicate verb (coordinate clause)→ Perfective: completed act of crueltyעָקַר (H6131) Piel 'hamstring, uproot'; disabling an ox is gratuitous brutality beyond military necessity.
שֽׁוֹרan oxN m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Object of עִקְּרוּשׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull'; hamstringing renders the animal useless — an act of wanton destruction.
7

אָר֤וּר אַפָּם֙ כִּ֣י עָ֔ז וְעֶבְרָתָ֖ם כִּ֣י קָשָׁ֑תָה אֲחַלְּקֵ֣ם בְּיַעֲקֹ֔ב וַאֲפִיצֵ֖ם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל

'Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is hard. I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.'

Their fierce anger is cursed and their future is dispersion in Israelאָר֤וּר
The judgment does not erase them, but it transforms their future into division and scattering rather than concentrated power.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אָר֤וּרcursedQal pass ptc m sg abs · אָרַר (H779)Predicate (curse formula)→ Stative participle: state of being cursedאָרַר (H779) 'curse'; passive participle functioning as adjective — 'cursed be their anger.'
אַפָּם֙their angerN m sg constr + 3mp suff · אַף (H639)Subject of curseאַף (H639) 'anger, wrath'; Jacob curses the emotion, not (primarily) the persons — the anger is fierce (עָז).
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; specifies the quality that makes their anger curse-worthy.
עָ֔זfierceadj m sg abs · עַז (H5794)Predicate adjectiveעַז (H5794) 'strong, fierce, harsh'; here as adjective predicate: their anger is characterized as brutal excess.
וְעֶבְרָתָ֖םand their wrathconj + N f sg constr + 3mp suff · עֶבְרָה (H5678)Coordinate subject (parallel curse)עֶבְרָה (H5678) 'wrath, fury, overflow of rage'; intensified synonym of אַף — the overflowing excess of anger.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
קָשָׁ֑תָהit is hardQal perf 3fs · קָשָׁה (H7185)Predicate of parallel clause→ Perfective: stative qualityקָשָׁה (H7185) 'be hard, severe, harsh'; their wrath is immovably stubborn — no softening, no regret.
אֲחַלְּקֵ֣םI will divide themPiel impf 1cs + 3mp suff · חָלַק (H2505)Predicate (divine judgment)→ Yiqtol: determined future judgmentחָלַק (H2505) Piel 'divide, distribute'; their concentrated power is broken by dispersal across Israel.
בְּיַעֲקֹ֔בin Jacobprep בְּ + proper N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Locative prepositional phraseבְּיַעֲקֹב 'within Jacob'; the territorial/tribal body of Israel is the sphere of their scattering.
וַאֲפִיצֵ֖םand scatter themconj + Hiphil impf 1cs + 3mp suff · פּוּץ (H6327)Coordinate predicate (judgment)→ Yiqtol: determined future scatteringפּוּץ (H6327) Hiphil 'scatter, disperse'; fulfilled in Simeon being absorbed into Judah and Levi having no territory.
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽלin Israelprep בְּ + proper N · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Locative prepositional phraseParallel with בְּיַעֲקֹב; both names for the covenant people form a poetic merism for the whole nation.
8

יְהוּדָ֗ה אַתָּה֙ יוֹד֣וּךָ אַחֶ֔יךָ יָדְךָ֖ בְּעֹ֣רֶף אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ יִשְׁתַּחֲוּ֥וּ לְךָ֖ בְּנֵ֥י אָבִֽיךָ

'Judah, you - your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you.'

Judah is elevated above his brothers in praise and victoryיְהוּדָ֗ה
The pattern shifts decisively: where earlier sons lost precedence, Judah receives brotherly acknowledgment and triumph over enemies.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
יְהוּדָ֗הJudahproper N · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Vocative (addressee)יְהוּדָה (H3063), fourth son of Jacob and Leah; name from יָדָה 'praise' — the oracle plays on this.
אַתָּה֙youpers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic)אַתָּה (H859) independent 2ms pronoun; fronted for emphasis — 'you (above others) shall be praised.'
יוֹד֣וּךָshall praise youHiphil impf 3mp + 2ms suff · יָדָה (H3034)Predicate verb (main oracle)→ Yiqtol: certain future praiseיָדָה (H3034) Hiphil 'praise, give thanks, confess'; wordplay on יְהוּדָה — his name enacts his destiny.
אַחֶ֔יךָyour brothersN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אָח (H251)Subject of יוֹדוּךָאָח (H251) 'brother'; the very brothers who bowed to Joseph will bow to Judah — a transfer of pre-eminence.
יָדְךָ֖your handN f sg constr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Subject (nominal clause)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; metonymy for military power and dominion — 'your hand on the neck of enemies.'
בְּעֹ֣רֶףon the neck ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֹרֶף (H6203)Predicate of nominal clauseעֹרֶף (H6203) 'back of neck, nape'; hand on the neck of a fleeing enemy = victory and dominance (cf. Ps 18:41).
אֹיְבֶ֑יךָyour enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr + 2ms suff · אָיַב (H341)Genitive of עֹרֶףאוֹיֵב (H341) 'enemy'; participle functioning as noun 'ones hating, enemies'; those who oppose Judah's sovereignty.
יִשְׁתַּחֲוּ֥וּshall bow downHishtaphel impf 3mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (climactic oracle)→ Yiqtol: certain future homageשָׁחָה (H7812) 'bow down, prostrate'; Hishtaphel (reflexive) — the act of self-lowering before a king.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffBeneficiary/direction of bowing
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of יִשְׁתַּחֲוּוּבֵּן (H1121) in construct — 'sons of your father' = the brothers; a fulfillment pattern like Joseph's dreams.
אָבִֽיךָyour fatherN m sg constr + 2ms suff · אָב (H1)Genitive of בְּנֵיאָב (H1) 'father'; 'sons of your father' = the other brothers — Jacob's children shall submit to Judah's line.
9

גּ֤וּר אַרְיֵה֙ יְהוּדָ֔ה מִטֶּ֖רֶף בְּנִ֣י עָלִ֑יתָ כָּרַ֨ע רָבַ֧ץ כְּאַרְיֵ֛ה וּכְלָבִ֖יא מִ֥י יְקִימֶֽנּוּ

'A lion's cub is Judah; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He crouched, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness - who will rouse him?'

Judah is figured as leonine in strength, rest, and unassailable authorityגּ֤וּר
The imagery combines ferocity and settled majesty, portraying Judah as both conqueror and unruffled ruler.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
גּ֤וּרwhelp ofN m sg constr · גּוּר (H1482)Predicate nominative (in construct)גּוּר (H1482) 'whelp, lion cub'; construct with אַרְיֵה = 'lion cub' — the young powerful animal.
אַרְיֵה֙a lionN m sg abs · אַרְיֵה (H738)Genitive of גּוּראַרְיֵה (H738) 'lion'; three different lion words appear in this verse — comprehensive leonine imagery.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper N · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subject/vocativeיְהוּדָה (H3063); placed after the metaphor — the simile precedes the name, investing Judah with leonine force.
מִטֶּ֖רֶףfrom the preyprep מִן + N m sg abs · טֶרֶף (H2964)Separative prepositional phraseטֶרֶף (H2964) 'prey, torn flesh'; Judah as lion has taken prey and now withdraws — victorious and self-possessed.
בְּנִ֣יmy sonN m sg constr + 1cs suff · בֵּן (H1121)Vocative (paternal address)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; affectionate vocative — Jacob briefly shifts from oracle to fatherly address.
עָלִ֑יתָyou went upQal perf 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (addressed to Judah)→ Perfective: completed victorious ascentעָלָה (H5927) 'go up, ascend'; after taking prey the lion ascends = has withdrawn victorious to its lair.
כָּרַ֨עhe crouchedQal perf 3ms · כָּרַע (H3766)Predicate verb (shift to 3rd person)→ Perfective: vivid depiction of lion at restכָּרַע (H3766) 'kneel, crouch, bow'; the lion settles into its powerful resting posture — strength in repose.
רָבַ֧ץhe lay downQal perf 3ms · רָבַץ (H7257)Coordinate predicate→ Perfective: settled rest of dominanceרָבַץ (H7257) 'lie down, crouch, recline'; of animals at settled rest; paired with כָּרַע = full image of confident repose.
כְּאַרְיֵ֛הlike a lionprep כְּ + N m sg abs · אַרְיֵה (H738)Simile (first)Second occurrence of אַרְיֵה (H738); the simile is now stated explicitly after the cub image.
וּכְלָבִ֖יאand like a lionessconj + prep כְּ + N m/f sg abs · לָבִיא (H3833)Coordinate simile (second)לָבִיא (H3833) 'lion/lioness'; a third lion term — together the images capture ferocity across age and sex.
מִ֥יwhointerrogative pron · מִי (H4310)Interrogative subjectמִי (H4310) 'who'; rhetorical — the expected answer is 'no one'; Judah's dominance is unassailable.
יְקִימֶֽנּוּwill rouse himHiphil impf 3ms + 3ms suff · קוּם (H6965)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: rhetorical impossibilityקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'cause to rise, rouse'; the resting lion cannot be provoked — total sovereignty at rest.
10

לֹֽא יָס֥וּר שֵׁ֨בֶט֙ מִֽיהוּדָ֔ה וּמְחֹקֵ֖ק מִבֵּ֣ין רַגְלָ֑יו עַ֚ד כִּֽי יָבֹ֣א שילה שִׁיל֔וֹ וְל֖וֹ יִקְּהַ֥ת עַמִּֽים

'The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of peoples.'

Judah is linked with enduring rule and the obedience of peoplesלֹֽא יָס֥וּר
This is the chapter’s most famous kingship saying, projecting Judah’s significance beyond the immediate family into wider dominion.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particleלֹא (H3808) absolute negation; the permanence of Judah's scepter is declared categorically.
יָס֥וּרshall departQal impf 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Negated predicate verb→ Yiqtol: permanent future stateסוּר (H5493) 'turn aside, depart, be removed'; negated = the scepter is immovable from Judah's line.
שֵׁ֨בֶט֙the scepterN m sg abs · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Subject of יָסוּרשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'rod, staff, scepter, tribe'; here royal/judicial scepter — symbol of ruling authority.
מִֽיהוּדָ֔הfrom Judahprep מִן + proper N · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Separative phrase (departure denied)The scepter shall not depart from Judah's line — a foundation of later Davidic messianism.
וּמְחֹקֵ֖קor the ruler's staffconj + Poel ptc m sg abs · חָקַק (H2710)Coordinate subject→ Participle: one who decrees/rulesחָקַק (H2710) Poel ptc 'one who engraves/decrees, lawgiver, commander'; parallel to שֵׁבֶט = co-ruling authority.
מִבֵּ֣יןfrom betweenprep מִן + prep · בֵּין (H996)Compound prepositionמִבֵּין 'from between'; the ruler's staff is between his feet = he sits in state with feet planted.
רַגְלָ֑יוhis feetN f du constr + 3ms suff · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object of מִבֵּיןרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; 'between the feet' = the posture of a seated ruler; the staff of authority rests there.
עַ֚דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal limit markerעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; introduces the temporal limit of the prophecy — the coming of Shiloh.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer after עַדכִּי (H3588) after עַד = 'until that'; together עַד כִּי = 'until the time when.'
יָבֹ֣אcomesQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate of temporal clause→ Yiqtol: future coming eventבּוֹא (H935) 'come, arrive'; the coming event that marks the end of the temporal horizon.
שילהShilohproper N · שִׁילֹה (H7886)Subject of יָבֹא (ketiv)שִׁילֹה (H7886), major crux: ketiv שילה, qere שִׁיל֔וֹ; disputed — 'Shiloh' (place), 'he whose it is,' or messianic title.
שִׁיל֔וֹShilohproper N · שִׁיל֔וֹ (H7886)Subject of יָבֹא (qere)Qere reading שִׁילֹו; ancient versions vary; the MT preserves dual text (ketiv/qere) on this key messianic crux.
וְל֖וֹand to himconj + prep לְ + 3ms suff · לְBeneficiary prepositional phraseוְלוֹ — 'and to him'; shifts focus: obedience of peoples converges on the one who comes.
יִקְּהַ֥תthe obedience ofN f sg constr · יִקָּהָה (H3349)Subject of nominal clauseיִקָּהָה (H3349) 'obedience, submission'; rare noun, only here and Prov 30:17; root qhh = 'be blunt/gathered.'
עַמִּֽיםpeoplesN m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive of יִקְּהַתעַם (H5971) 'people, peoples'; plural = the nations; obedience of peoples extends beyond Israel to universal scope.
11

אֹסְרִ֤י לַגֶּ֨פֶן֙ עירה עִיר֔וֹ וְלַשֹּׂרֵקָ֖ה בְּנִ֣י אֲתֹנ֑וֹ כִּבֵּ֤ס בַּיַּ֨יִן֙ לְבֻשׁ֔וֹ וּבְדַם עֲנָבִ֖ים סותה סוּתֽוֹ

'Binding his foal to the vine and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine, he washes his garment in wine and his robe in the blood of grapes.'

Judah’s future is imagined in superabundant vineyard imageryאֹסְרִ֤י
The royal line is not only strong but luxuriantly prosperous, with vine and wine imagery pushed to hyperbolic richness.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אֹסְרִ֤יbindingQal act ptc m sg constr · אָסַר (H631)Participle (subject of vivid scene)→ Participle: ongoing action of abundanceאָסַר (H631) 'bind, tie'; binding a donkey to a vine implies such abundance that even common animals are tethered there.
לַגֶּ֨פֶן֙to the vineprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · גֶּפֶן (H1612)Object of אֹסְרִיגֶּפֶן (H1612) 'vine, grapevine'; symbol of settled prosperity and abundance in the land.
עירהhis foalN m sg constr + 3ms suff · עַיִר (H5895)Subject of אֹסְרִי (ketiv)עַיִר (H5895) 'young donkey, foal'; ketiv עירה / qere עִירֹה; the young animal tethered to the choicest vine.
עִיר֔וֹhis foalN m sg constr + 3ms suff · עַיִר (H5895)Subject of אֹסְרִי (qere)Qere עִירֹו; same lexeme as ketiv; the dual text is a scribal preservation of both forms of the tradition.
וְלַשֹּׂרֵקָ֖הto the choice vineconj + prep לְ + art + N f sg abs · שֹׂרֵקָה (H8321)Coordinate prepositional phraseשֹׂרֵקָה (H8321) 'choice vine, vine of finest grapes'; the highest-quality vineyard, not merely any vine.
בְּנִ֣יthe colt ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (in construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son of'; in construct = 'son of his donkey' = colt; poetic periphrasis for the young animal.
אֲתֹנ֑וֹhis donkeyN f sg constr + 3ms suff · אָתוֹן (H860)Genitive of בְּנִיאָתוֹן (H860) 'she-donkey, female donkey'; mother animal implies the young = בֶּן אֲתֹנוֹ 'colt of the she-donkey.'
כִּבֵּ֤סhe washesPiel perf 3ms · כָּבַס (H3526)Predicate verb (image of excess)→ Perfective: hyperbolic act of abundanceכָּבַס (H3526) Piel 'wash, launder'; the hyperbole of washing garments in wine signals superabundance — wine flows like water.
בַּיַּ֨יִן֙in wineprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יַיִן (H3196)Instrumental prepositional phraseיַיִן (H3196) 'wine'; used here as wash-liquid — an extravagant image of viticultural surplus.
לְבֻשׁ֔וֹhis garmentN m sg constr + 3ms suff · לְבוּשׁ (H3830)Object of כִּבֵּסלְבוּשׁ (H3830) 'garment, clothing'; from לָבַשׁ 'clothe'; the outer robe washed in wine = Judah's land drips with it.
וּבְדַםand in the blood ofconj + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · דָּם (H1818)Coordinate instrumental phraseדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; 'blood of grapes' is standard poetic idiom for red wine (Deut 32:14).
עֲנָבִ֖יםgrapesN m pl abs · עֵנָב (H6025)Genitive of דַּםעֵנָב (H6025) 'grape'; דַּם עֲנָבִים = 'blood of grapes' = dark red wine; poetic for intensely rich vintage.
סותהhis robeN m sg constr + 3ms suff · סוּת (H5497)Object of כִּבֵּס (ketiv)סוּת (H5497) 'garment, robe'; hapax in ketiv; parallel to לְבוּשׁ, both washed in wine to stress luxuriant abundance.
סוּתֽוֹhis robeN m sg constr + 3ms suff · סוּת (H5497)Object of כִּבֵּס (qere)Qere סוּתֹו; same lemma as ketiv; the dual tradition is preserved as in the previous verse's foal terms.
12

חַכְלִילִ֥י עֵינַ֖יִם מִיָּ֑יִן וּלְבֶן שִׁנַּ֖יִם מֵחָלָֽב

'Dark are the eyes from wine, and white are the teeth from milk.'

Bodily beauty is described through wine and milk abundanceחַכְלִילִ֥י
The saying closes the Judah sequence with sensory fullness and settled plenty.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
חַכְלִילִ֥יdark/redadj m sg constr · חַכְלִיל (H2447)Predicate adjective (bodily beauty)חַכְלִיל (H2447) 'dark-red, glowing'; hapax root; describes eyes darkened or glowing with wine-richness; cf. Prov 23:29.
עֵינַ֖יִםeyesN f du abs · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of first nominal clauseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the dark gleaming of eyes from wine completes the bodily image of abundance.
מִיָּ֑יִןfrom wineprep מִן + N m sg abs · יַיִן (H3196)Causal prepositional phraseיַיִן (H3196) 'wine'; the cause of the eye-color; carries forward the vine imagery of vv. 11.
וּלְבֶןand whiteconj + adj m sg constr · לָבָן (H3836)Coordinate predicate adjectiveלָבָן (H3836) 'white'; parallel to חַכְלִיל; both bodily brightness signs seal the portrait of Judah's abundance.
שִׁנַּ֖יִםteethN f du abs · שֵׁן (H8127)Subject of second nominal clauseשֵׁן (H8127) 'tooth'; white teeth from milk = physical vitality nourished by land-abundance; closes the Judah oracle.
מֵחָלָֽבfrom milkprep מִן + N m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Causal prepositional phraseחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; paired with wine as the twin tokens of land-blessing; the teeth whitened by pure rich milk.
13

זְבוּלֻ֕ן לְח֥וֹף יַמִּ֖ים יִשְׁכֹּ֑ן וְהוּא֙ לְח֣וֹף אֳנִיּ֔וֹת וְיַרְכָת֖וֹ עַל צִידֹֽן

'Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the seas, and he shall be at the shore of ships, and his flank shall be toward Sidon.'

Zebulun is set toward sea-coast and maritime orientationזְבוּלֻ֕ן
The tribe is characterized geographically, with shore and shipping imagery shaping its future place.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
זְבוּלֻ֕ןZebulunproper N · זְבוּלֻן (H2074)Subject (tribal oracle)זְבוּלֻן (H2074), sixth son of Jacob and Leah; name from זָבַל 'honor' or 'dwell'; associated with maritime territory.
לְח֥וֹףat the shore ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · חוֹף (H2348)Predicate locative phraseחוֹף (H2348) 'coast, shore'; denotes the seashore territory that characterizes Zebulun's tribal future.
יַמִּ֖יםthe seasN m pl abs · יָם (H3220)Genitive of חוֹףיָם (H3220) 'sea'; plural intensifies the maritime orientation — multiple sea-shores or the sea in its fullness.
יִשְׁכֹּ֑ןshall dwellQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַן (H7931)Predicate verb→ Yiqtol: prophetic future settlementשָׁכַן (H7931) 'dwell, settle, inhabit'; Zebulun's settled territory is seaward — a geographic destiny.
וְהוּא֙and heconj + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive pronoun)הוּא (H1931) independent pronoun 3ms; resumes subject Zebulun with added emphasis for second clause.
לְח֣וֹףat the shore ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · חוֹף (H2348)Predicate locative (repeated)חוֹף (H2348) repeated; the double mention of 'shore' anchors Zebulun firmly in maritime geography.
אֳנִיּ֔וֹתshipsN f pl abs · אֳנִיָּה (H591)Genitive of second חוֹףאֳנִיָּה (H591) 'ship'; shore of ships = a harbor or trading port; Zebulun mediates between sea trade and inland Israel.
וְיַרְכָת֖וֹand his flankconj + N f sg constr + 3ms suff · יַרְכָה (H3411)Subject (third clause)יַרְכָה (H3411) 'flank, remote part, recesses'; the inland side or the border-flank of the territory.
עַלtowardprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositionעַל (H5921) 'over, upon, toward'; here directional — the flank faces/extends toward Sidon.
צִידֹֽןSidonproper N · צִידוֹן (H6721)Object of עַלצִידוֹן (H6721), major Phoenician coastal city; pointing Zebulun toward Sidon confirms northern maritime orientation.
14

יִשָּׂשכָ֖ר חֲמֹ֣ר גָּ֑רֶם רֹבֵ֖ץ בֵּ֥ין הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתָֽיִם

'Issachar is a strong-boned donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.'

Issachar is portrayed as a strong-boned burden-bearing beastיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר
Animal imagery suggests capacity and solidity, but also prepares the note of labor and submission that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
יִשָּׂשכָ֖רIssacharproper N · יִשָּׂשכָר (H3485)Subject (tribal oracle)יִשָּׂשכָר (H3485), ninth son of Jacob; name perhaps from שָׂכָר 'reward' or אִישׁ + שָׂכָר 'man of reward.'
חֲמֹ֣רdonkey ofN m sg constr · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Predicate nominative (simile)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey, ass'; strong burden-bearing animal — capacity and endurance rather than nobility.
גָּ֑רֶםboneN m sg abs · גֶּרֶם (H1634)Genitive of חֲמֹרגֶּרֶם (H1634) 'bone'; חֲמֹר גָּרֶם = 'bony donkey' or 'strong-boned donkey' — a sturdy, hefty beast for hard labor.
רֹבֵ֖ץlying downQal act ptc m sg abs · רָבַץ (H7257)Participial predicate→ Participle: settled recumbent postureרָבַץ (H7257) 'lie down, crouch'; the donkey between the sheepfolds is at rest — but that rest becomes servitude in v.15.
בֵּ֥יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Locative prepositionבֵּין (H996) 'between'; Issachar lies between the sheepfolds = between competing territories or burdens.
הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתָֽיִםthe saddlebagsart + N m du abs · מִשְׁפְּתַיִם (H4942)Object of בֵּיןמִשְׁפְּתַיִם (H4942) dual; debated: 'sheepfolds' (HALOT) or 'saddlebags' (some render 'panniers'); the image of burdened rest.
15

וַיַּ֤רְא מְנֻחָה֙ כִּ֣י ט֔וֹב וְאֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ כִּ֣י נָעֵ֑מָה וַיֵּ֤ט שִׁכְמוֹ֙ לִסְבֹּ֔ל וַיְהִ֖י לְמַס עֹבֵֽד

'And he saw that the resting place was good and that the land was pleasant, and he bent his shoulder to bear and became a servant for forced labor.'

Issachar chooses pleasant land at the cost of servile burdenוַיַּ֤רְא
Rest and pleasant territory are gained together with a bowed shoulder, giving the saying an ambiguous tone.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיַּ֤רְאand he sawconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'see, perceive'; Issachar sees and evaluates the land — the choice leads to voluntary servitude.
מְנֻחָה֙the restN f sg abs · מְנוּחָה (H4496)Object of וַיַּרְאמְנוּחָה (H4496) 'rest, resting place, repose'; from נוּחַ 'rest'; the pleasant land offers ease — but at a cost.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content clause)כִּי (H3588) complementizer after וַיַּרְא — 'he saw that it was good.'
ט֔וֹבgoodadj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjectiveטוֹב (H2896) 'good, pleasant, beautiful'; the assessment echoes Genesis 1 language — land is enticing.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of second clauseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the pleasant land is the second thing Issachar sees and desires.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer
נָעֵ֑מָהit was pleasantQal perf 3fs · נָעֵם (H5276)Predicate of inner clause→ Perfective: stative qualityנָעֵם (H5276) 'be pleasant, delightful, agreeable'; the land is attractive — its beauty becomes a trap toward subjection.
וַיֵּ֤טand he bentconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (consequence)→ Wayyiqtol: consequential actנָטָה (H5186) 'stretch, incline, bend'; bending the shoulder to receive the burden — a choice of comfort over freedom.
שִׁכְמוֹ֙his shoulderN m sg constr + 3ms suff · שְׁכֶם (H7926)Object of וַיֵּטשְׁכֶם (H7926) 'shoulder, back'; bending the shoulder to the burden = the classic image of submitted labor.
לִסְבֹּ֔לto bear burdensprep לְ + Qal inf constr · סָבַל (H5445)Purposive infinitive→ Infinitive: purpose of bending shoulderסָבַל (H5445) 'bear, carry heavy load'; the choice to carry the burden of the pleasant land's overlord.
וַיְהִ֖יand he becameconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (result)→ Wayyiqtol: resultant stateהָיָה (H1961) 'be, become'; introduces the outcome — Issachar becomes a tribute-laborer.
לְמַסforced laborprep לְ + N m sg constr · מַס (H4522)Predicate prepositional phraseמַס (H4522) 'forced labor, tribute, levy'; the consequence of Issachar's land-desire — subjection to external labor demands.
עֹבֵֽדservingQal act ptc m sg abs · עָבַד (H5647)Appositional participle (characterizing)→ Participle: ongoing servile laborעָבַד (H5647) 'serve, work, labor'; as participle = one who serves; Issachar is a laboring servant — chosen servitude.
16

דָּ֖ן יָדִ֣ין עַמּ֑וֹ כְּאַחַ֖ד שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

'Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel.'

Dan is associated with judgment within Israelדָּ֖ן
The tribe’s name is turned toward judicial identity, giving Dan a compact role-description among the tribes.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
דָּ֖ןDanproper N · דָּן (H1835)Subject (tribal oracle)דָּן (H1835), fifth son of Jacob by Bilhah; name from דִּין 'judge' — the oracle plays on this etymology.
יָדִ֣יןshall judgeQal impf 3ms · דִּין (H1777)Predicate verb→ Yiqtol: future roleדִּין (H1777) 'judge, plead, vindicate'; wordplay on דָּן — his name defines his function.
עַמּ֑וֹhis peopleN m sg constr + 3ms suff · עַם (H5971)Object of יָדִיןעַם (H5971) 'people'; Dan judges/advocates for his own people — a tribal judicial/military role within Israel.
כְּאַחַ֖דas one ofprep כְּ + numeral m sg constr · אֶחָד (H259)Comparative phraseאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; Dan judges equally with the other tribes — inclusion and parity among the twelve.
שִׁבְטֵ֥יthe tribes ofN m pl constr · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Genitive of כְּאַחַדשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'rod, tribe'; here the twelve tribal units of Israel — Dan is equal among them despite his birth-mother.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper N · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of שִׁבְטֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); Dan, son of a concubine, is declared equal in standing with all twelve tribes of Israel.
17

יְהִי דָן֙ נָחָ֣שׁ עֲלֵי דֶ֔רֶךְ שְׁפִיפֹ֖ן עֲלֵי אֹ֑רַח הַנֹּשֵׁךְ֙ עִקְּבֵי ס֔וּס וַיִּפֹּ֥ל רֹכְב֖וֹ אָחֽוֹר

'Let Dan be a serpent on the way, a horned snake on the path, biting the horse's heels so that its rider falls backward.'

Dan becomes serpent-like in disruptive tactical forceיְהִי
The image is not frontal dominance but dangerous interruption that topples the stronger by striking from below.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
יְהִיlet Dan beQal juss 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Jussive (tribal wish/prophecy)→ Volitional: jussive of prophetic wishהָיָה (H1961) 'be, become'; jussive functions as a wish-oracle — 'may Dan be a serpent.'
דָן֙Danproper N · דָּן (H1835)Subject of jussiveדָּן (H1835); placed after the jussive verb — the serpent image comes first, then the tribe named.
נָחָ֣שׁa serpentN m sg abs · נָחָשׁ (H5175)Predicate nominativeנָחָשׁ (H5175) 'serpent, snake'; the image is not evil per se but of hidden, sudden, decisive strike — guerrilla-like tactics.
עֲלֵיuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositionעֲלֵי (H5921) poetic form of עַל 'upon, along'; the serpent coiled along the road.
דֶ֔רֶךְthe roadN m sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of עֲלֵידֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, path'; the serpent waits along the traveled road = ambush strategy.
שְׁפִיפֹ֖ןa horned viperN m sg abs · שְׁפִיפוֹן (H8207)Appositive (second serpent image)שְׁפִיפוֹן (H8207) 'horned viper, cerastes'; hapax; a small deadly desert snake — the specific species intensifies the danger.
עֲלֵיuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative preposition (parallel)
אֹ֑רַחthe pathN m sg abs · אֹרַח (H734)Object of second עֲלֵיאֹרַח (H734) 'path, track, way'; parallel to דֶּרֶךְ; two serpent images on two synonymous paths reinforce the ambush motif.
הַנֹּשֵׁךְ֙that bitesart + Qal act ptc m sg abs · נָשַׁךְ (H5391)Relative participle (action)→ Participle: defining characteristic actionנָשַׁךְ (H5391) 'bite'; the serpent's defining act — the article marks it as the biting one, specific and lethal.
עִקְּבֵיthe heels ofN m pl constr · עָקֵב (H6119)Object of הַנֹּשֵׁךְעָקֵב (H6119) 'heel, footprint'; the heel-strike recalls Jacob's name (יַעֲקֹב from עָקַב) — a family resonance.
ס֔וּסthe horseN m sg abs · סוּס (H5483)Genitive of עִקְּבֵיסוּס (H5483) 'horse'; the horse is a symbol of military power — the viper fells the powerful by striking low.
וַיִּפֹּ֥לand fallsconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (result)→ Wayyiqtol: consequential fallנָפַל (H5307) 'fall'; the mighty horse falls — the snake defeats superior force through hidden attack.
רֹכְב֖וֹits riderQal act ptc m sg constr + 3ms suff · רָכַב (H7392)Subject of וַיִּפֹּלרָכַב (H7392) ptc 'rider, horseman'; the rider falls backward — cavalry defeated by a hidden strike from below.
אָחֽוֹרbackwardN m sg abs · אָחוֹר (H268)Adverbial accusative (direction of fall)אָחוֹר (H268) 'behind, backward'; the backward fall of the rider = complete loss of control from the strike below.
18

לִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֖ קִוִּ֥יתִי יְהוָֽה

'For your salvation I wait, O YHWH.'

Jacob breaks the sequence with a cry of waiting for YHWH’s salvationלִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֖
The abrupt invocation opens the tribal sayings upward toward divine deliverance rather than leaving them closed within tribal traits alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 3 words
לִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֖for your salvationprep לְ + N f sg constr + 2ms suff · יְשׁוּעָה (H3444)Fronted object (prayer/exclamation)יְשׁוּעָה (H3444) 'salvation, deliverance'; from יָשַׁע 'save'; the abrupt cry opens upward beyond the serpent imagery.
קִוִּ֥יתִיI waitPiel perf 1cs · קָוָה (H6960)Predicate verb (personal prayer)→ Perfective: settled posture of waitingקָוָה (H6960) Piel 'wait, hope, look for'; intense expectant waiting; Jacob pauses the tribal oracle for personal address to YHWH.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Vocative/object of waitingיְהוָה (H3068), the personal name of Israel's God; the tribal oracle is anchored in personal trust in YHWH's deliverance.
19

גָּ֖ד גְּד֣וּד יְגוּדֶ֑נּוּ וְה֖וּא יָגֻ֥ד עָקֵֽב

'Gad - a raiding band shall raid him, but he shall raid at the heel.'

Gad is described through raid and counter-raid wordplayגָּ֖ד
The saying compresses military pressure and resilient retaliation into a tightly packed sound pattern.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
גָּ֖דGadproper N · גָּד (H1410)Subject (tribal oracle)גָּד (H1410), seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah; name punned on גְּדוּד 'troop' throughout this verse.
גְּד֣וּדa troopN m sg abs · גְּדוּד (H1416)Subject of nominal clause (raiders)גְּדוּד (H1416) 'troop, raiding band'; triple wordplay on גָּד — three words from the same consonants pack the verse.
יְגוּדֶ֑נּוּwill raid himQal impf 3ms + 3ms suff · גּוּד (H1464)Predicate verb (attack on Gad)→ Yiqtol: future raiding actionגּוּד (H1464) 'raid, attack, press upon'; attackers raid Gad — he is under military pressure from enemies.
וְה֖וּאbut heconj + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (contrastive)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; contrastive — 'they raid him, but he in turn raids back.'
יָגֻ֥דshall raidQal impf 3ms · גּוּד (H1464)Predicate verb (Gad's counter-raid)→ Yiqtol: future retaliationגּוּד (H1464) repeated; Gad retaliates — the same verb for both attack and counter-attack captures the cycle.
עָקֵֽבat the heelN m sg abs · עָקֵב (H6119)Adverbial accusative (manner)עָקֵב (H6119) 'heel'; Gad strikes back at the heel = from behind, in pursuit; the retreating enemy is caught.
20

מֵאָשֵׁ֖ר שְׁמֵנָ֣ה לַחְמ֑וֹ וְה֥וּא יִתֵּ֖ן מַֽעֲדַנֵּי מֶֽלֶךְ

'From Asher his bread shall be rich, and he shall give royal delicacies.'

Asher is marked by rich food and royal delicaciesמֵאָשֵׁ֖ר
The tribe is associated with abundance refined enough for kingly table provision.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
מֵאָשֵׁ֖רfrom Asherprep מִן + proper N · אָשֵׁר (H836)Source prepositional phrase (fronted)אָשֵׁר (H836), eighth son of Jacob by Zilpah; name from אָשַׁר 'be happy, blessed'; the oracle confirms his rich provision.
שְׁמֵנָ֣הrichadj f sg abs · שָׁמֵן (H8082)Predicate adjectiveשָׁמֵן (H8082) 'fat, rich, fertile'; his bread is fatty = of the richest quality; from שֶׁמֶן 'oil, fat.'
לַחְמ֑וֹhis breadN m sg constr + 3ms suff · לֶחֶם (H3899)Subject of nominal clauseלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the staple of life; Asher's land produces richly — enough for royal tables.
וְה֥וּאand heconj + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive, new clause)הוּא (H1931); shifts from describing his produce to his provision for others — the king's table.
יִתֵּ֖ןshall giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb→ Yiqtol: future generous provisionנָתַן (H5414) 'give, provide'; Asher is not just blessed himself but generous supplier of luxuries to royalty.
מַֽעֲדַנֵּיdelicacies ofN m pl constr · מַעֲדָן (H4574)Object of יִתֵּןמַעֲדָן (H4574) 'delicacy, dainty, luxury food'; from עָדַן 'luxuriate'; the finest foods for a royal banquet.
מֶֽלֶךְa kingN m sg abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Genitive of מַעֲדַנֵּימֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; Asher's produce rises to regal quality — his tribe supplies the royal table.
21

נַפְתָּלִ֖י אַיָּלָ֣ה שְׁלֻחָ֑ה הַנֹּתֵ֖ן אִמְרֵי שָֽׁפֶר

'Naphtali is a doe let loose, giving beautiful sayings.'

Naphtali is pictured in free and graceful vitalityנַפְתָּלִ֖י
The released doe and beautiful utterance combine swiftness, freedom, and pleasing expression.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
נַפְתָּלִ֖יNaphtaliproper N · נַפְתָּלִי (H5321)Subject (tribal oracle)נַפְתָּלִי (H5321), sixth son of Jacob by Bilhah; name from נָפַל + God's wrestlings (Gen 30:8); swift and graceful.
אַיָּלָ֣הa doeN f sg abs · אַיָּלָה (H355)Predicate nominative (simile)אַיָּלָה (H355) 'doe, hind'; the female deer is the image of swift gracefulness and freedom of movement.
שְׁלֻחָ֑הlet looseQal pass ptc f sg abs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Participial predicate (attribute)→ Stative participle: freed, releasedשָׁלַח (H7971) Qal passive ptc 'sent away, released, let loose'; the doe is unrestrained — freedom and swiftness.
הַנֹּתֵ֖ןthe one givingart + Qal act ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Appositional relative (defining act)→ Participle: characteristic action of speechנָתַן (H5414) ptc with article 'the one who gives'; Naphtali's defining gift is beautiful utterance.
אִמְרֵיsayings ofN m pl constr · אֵמֶר (H561)Object of הַנֹּתֵןאֵמֶר (H561) 'word, saying, utterance'; a poetic or elevated term for speech; Naphtali gives beautiful words.
שָֽׁפֶרbeautyN m sg abs · שֶׁפֶר (H8233)Genitive of אִמְרֵישֶׁפֶר (H8233) 'elegance, beauty'; rare noun; only here and Ps 49:14; 'sayings of beauty' = graceful, eloquent speech.
22

בֵּ֤ן פֹּרָת֙ יוֹסֵ֔ף בֵּ֥ן פֹּרָ֖ת עֲלֵי עָ֑יִן בָּנ֕וֹת צָעֲדָ֖ה עֲלֵי שֽׁוּר

'Joseph is a fruitful son, a fruitful son by a spring; daughters step over the wall.'

Joseph is introduced as preeminently fruitful and overflowingבֵּ֤ן
The longest blessing begins with fertility language that exceeds ordinary boundary and signals special favor.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
בֵּ֤ןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (in construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Joseph = son of fruitfulness — the construct chain encodes his destiny in his very designation.
פֹּרָת֙fruitfulnessQal act ptc f sg constr · פָּרָה (H6509)Genitive (participial construct)→ Participle: fruitful one, fruitfulnessפָּרָה (H6509) Qal ptc f 'fruitful one'; from פָּרָה 'be fruitful'; the double בֶּן-פֹּרָת emphasizes abundant fruitfulness.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Vocative/subjectיוֹסֵף (H3130); the longest and richest blessing of the chapter; name from יָסַף 'add.'
בֵּ֥ןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Repeated predicate (emphasis)Second בֵּן; the repetition of 'fruitful son' is emphatic; Joseph is doubly characterized by fruitfulness.
פֹּרָ֖תfruitfulnessQal act ptc f sg abs · פָּרָה (H6509)Predicate (second fruitfulness)→ Participle: fruitfulפָּרָה (H6509) repeated; the textual repetition is deliberate — Joseph's fruitfulness is the dominant note.
עֲלֵיbesideprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositionעֲלֵי (H5921) poetic 'upon, beside, by'; the vine-branch grows by a spring — abundant water source.
עָ֑יִןa springN f sg abs · עַיִן (H5869)Object of עֲלֵיעַיִן (H5869) 'spring, fountain, eye'; here 'spring of water' — the source that enables fruitfulness to overflow.
בָּנ֕וֹתdaughtersN f pl abs · בַּת (H1323)Subject of next clauseבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; 'daughters' may = shoots/branches of the vine or literally daughters stepping over a wall.
צָעֲדָ֖הsteppedQal perf 3fs · צָעַד (H6805)Predicate verb→ Perfective: vivid image of overflowצָעַד (H6805) 'step, march, stride'; the feminine subject (branches/daughters) strides beyond the wall — fruitfulness overflows bounds.
עֲלֵיoverprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositionעַל (H5921) 'over, upon'; the stepping is over a wall — imagery of growth or movement beyond containment.
שֽׁוּרa wallN m sg abs · שׁוּר (H7791)Object of עֲלֵישׁוּר (H7791) 'wall'; the vine-branches or daughters crossing the wall = Joseph's blessing exceeding all normal limits.
23

וַֽיְמָרֲרֻ֖הוּ וָרֹ֑בּוּ וַֽיִּשְׂטְמֻ֖הוּ בַּעֲלֵ֥י חִצִּֽים

'The archers bitterly attacked him and shot at him and hated him.'

Joseph’s past hostility and attack are rememberedוַֽיְמָרֲרֻ֖הוּ
The blessing does not ignore suffering; it names opposition as part of Joseph’s story before speaking of endurance and triumph.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַֽיְמָרֲרֻ֖הוּthey embittered himconj + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp + 3ms suff · מָרַר (H4843)Predicate verb (past hostility)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative of past sufferingמָרַר (H4843) Piel 'embitter, deal bitterly with'; Joseph's suffering is named before his triumph — the pattern of reversal.
וָרֹ֑בּוּand shot at himconj + Qal perf 3cp · רָבַב (H7232)Coordinate predicate→ Perfective: continued hostilityרָבַב (H7232) 'shoot, increase'; here 'shoot arrows' — the archers who attacked Joseph's position.
וַֽיִּשְׂטְמֻ֖הוּand they hated himconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp + 3ms suff · שָׂטַם (H7852)Predicate verb (climax of opposition)→ Wayyiqtol: intensifying hostilityשָׂטַם (H7852) 'bear a grudge, hate, persecute'; sustained, deep-seated enmity — more than passing conflict.
בַּעֲלֵ֥יmasters ofN m pl constr · בַּעַל (H1167)Subject (appositional identification)בַּעַל (H1167) 'owner, master, lord'; in construct = 'masters of arrows' = archers; those who wielded weapons against Joseph.
חִצִּֽיםarrowsN m pl abs · חֵץ (H2671)Genitive of בַּעֲלֵיחֵץ (H2671) 'arrow'; plural 'masters of arrows' = the archers — vivid warriors who attacked Joseph (his brothers, Potiphar's household).
24

וַתֵּ֤שֶׁב בְּאֵיתָן֙ קַשְׁתּ֔וֹ וַיָּפֹ֖זּוּ זְרֹעֵ֣י יָדָ֑יו מִידֵי֙ אֲבִ֣יר יַעֲקֹ֔ב מִשָּׁ֥ם רֹעֶ֖ה אֶ֥בֶן יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

'But his bow remained firm, and the arms of his hands were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob; from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel,'

Joseph’s strength is attributed to the Mighty One of Jacob and the Shepherd-Stone of Israelוַתֵּ֤שֶׁב
His endurance is read theologically, not as self-made resilience, and the divine titles are unusually dense and exalted.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַתֵּ֤שֶׁבbut remained firmconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Adversative wayyiqtol→ Wayyiqtol: resilient counter-actionיָשַׁב (H3427) 'sit, dwell, remain'; here intransitive 'remained firm, stayed fast' — his bow held despite attack.
בְּאֵיתָן֙in firmnessprep בְּ + adj m sg abs · אֵיתָן (H386)Adverbial prepositional phraseאֵיתָן (H386) 'perennial, firm, enduring'; his bow endured in firmness = did not give way under assault.
קַשְׁתּ֔וֹhis bowN f sg constr + 3ms suff · קֶשֶׁת (H7198)Subject of וַתֵּשֶׁבקֶשֶׁת (H7198) 'bow'; the weapon stood firm = Joseph's power and competence were not broken by opposition.
וַיָּפֹ֖זּוּwere made suppleconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · פָּזַז (H6339)Predicate verb (divine empowering)→ Wayyiqtol: divine enabling actionפָּזַז (H6339) 'leap, be agile'; Piel elsewhere 'make supple, strengthen'; his arms were made agile/strong by divine agency.
זְרֹעֵ֣יthe arms ofN m du constr · זְרוֹעַ (H2220)Subject of וַיָּפֹזּוּזְרוֹעַ (H2220) 'arm'; the arms of his hands = his entire upper-body strength for holding and drawing the bow.
יָדָ֑יוhis handsN f du constr + 3ms suff · יָד (H3027)Genitive of זְרֹעֵייָד (H3027) 'hand'; the compound זְרֹעֵי יָדָיו = 'arms of his hands' = the full arm-hand unit of his archery strength.
מִידֵי֙from the hands ofprep מִן + N f du constr · יָד (H3027)Source prepositional phrase (divine)מִידֵי 'from the hands of'; introduces the divine source of Joseph's strength — the Mighty One of Jacob.
אֲבִ֣ירthe Mighty One ofadj m sg constr · אַבִּיר (H46)Agent (divine title in construct)אַבִּיר (H46) 'mighty, strong one'; divine epithet 'Mighty One of Jacob' — a rare, archaic divine title (Isa 49:26).
יַעֲקֹ֔בJacobproper N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive of אֲבִיריַעֲקֹב (H3290); 'Mighty One of Jacob' connects Joseph's strength to the patriarchal covenant God.
מִשָּׁ֥םfrom thereprep מִן + adv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative prepositional phraseמִשָּׁם 'from there'; a crux — 'from there' = from that Mighty One comes the Shepherd, Stone of Israel.
רֹעֶ֖הthe ShepherdQal act ptc m sg abs · רָעָה (H7462)Predicate nominative (divine title)→ Participle: ongoing shepherding roleרָעָה (H7462) ptc 'shepherd, tend'; divine title 'Shepherd of Israel'; the Mighty One is also protector and guide.
אֶ֥בֶןthe Stone ofN f sg constr · אֶבֶן (H68)Coordinate divine titleאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone, rock'; 'Stone of Israel' = divine stability and foundation; another rare archaic title for God.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper N · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of אֶבֶןיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the Stone of Israel = God as the immovable foundation of the covenant people.
25

מֵאֵ֨ל אָבִ֜יךָ וְיַעְזְרֶ֗ךָּ וְאֵ֤ת שַׁדַּי֙ וִיבָ֣רְכֶ֔ךָּ בִּרְכֹ֤ת שָׁמַ֨יִם֙ מֵעָ֔ל בִּרְכֹ֥ת תְּה֖וֹם רֹבֶ֣צֶת תָּ֑חַת בִּרְכֹ֥ת שָׁדַ֖יִם וָרָֽחַם

'from the God of your father, and may he help you, and from Shaddai, and may he bless you: blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep crouching beneath, blessings of breasts and womb.'

Blessings from above and below are piled onto Joseph from God and Shaddaiמֵאֵ֨ל
The imagery becomes expansive and bodily, gathering heaven, deep, breast, and womb into one comprehensive abundance.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
מֵאֵ֨לfrom God ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · אֵל (H410)Source prepositional phrase (divine)אֵל (H410) 'God, mighty one'; in construct 'God of your father' — continuing the divine-title chain from v.24.
אָבִ֜יךָyour fatherN m sg constr + 2ms suff · אָב (H1)Genitive of אֵלאָב (H1) 'father'; 'God of your father' = the ancestral deity of Jacob who now blesses Joseph.
וְיַעְזְרֶ֗ךָּand may he help youconj + Qal impf 3ms + 2ms suff · עָזַר (H5826)Jussive/impf of blessing→ Yiqtol: wish for divine helpעָזַר (H5826) 'help, assist, aid'; the God of the father will actively help Joseph — a prayer embedded in the blessing.
וְאֵ֤תand withconj + prep · אֵת (H854)Conjunction + comitative prepositionאֵת (H854) comitative preposition 'with, beside'; 'and Shaddai with/alongside' introduces the second divine title.
שַׁדַּי֙Shaddaiproper N · שַׁדַּי (H7706)Object of וְאֵת (divine agent)שַׁדַּי (H7706) 'Almighty, Shaddai'; archaic divine epithet prominent in patriarchal narrative (Exod 6:3); power of blessing.
וִיבָ֣רְכֶ֔ךָּand may he bless youconj + Piel impf 3ms + 2ms suff · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Blessing predicate→ Yiqtol: desired divine blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'bless'; the core action of the whole chapter — Shaddai's blessing is comprehensive and bodily.
בִּרְכֹ֤תblessings ofN f pl constr · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Accusative of specificationבְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing'; three occurrences in vv.25-26; stacked blessings from sky, deep, and body.
שָׁמַ֨יִם֙heavenN m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive of first בִּרְכֹתשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; blessings from above = rain, dew, solar warmth for crops.
מֵעָ֔לaboveprep מִן + N m sg abs · עַל (H5921)Directional adverb (source above)מֵעָל 'from above'; locates the heaven-blessings as descending from the height — rain, fertility from the sky.
בִּרְכֹ֥תblessings ofN f pl constr · בְְּרָכָה (H1293)Coordinate accusative (second blessing)Second בִּרְכֹת; the pattern of stacking blessings is deliberate — Joseph receives from every cosmic direction.
תְּה֖וֹםthe deepN f sg abs · תְּהוֹם (H8415)Genitive of second בִּרְכֹתתְּהוֹם (H8415) 'deep, abyss, subterranean waters'; blessings from underground springs and water-tables — sources of irrigation.
רֹבֶ֣צֶתcrouching beneathQal act ptc f sg abs · רָבַץ (H7257)Participial modifier of תְּהוֹם→ Participle: describing the deep's postureרָבַץ (H7257) 'lie, crouch'; the deep is personified crouching beneath — vast water-reservoir under the earth.
תָּ֑חַתbeneathN m sg abs (adv) · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial accusative (location)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, below, instead of'; the deep crouches beneath the earth — from which springs rise.
בִּרְכֹ֥תblessings ofN f pl constr · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Third coordinate blessingThird repetition; the triad (heaven, deep, body) is now complete with the most intimate blessings of physical generation.
שָׁדַ֖יִםbreastsN m du abs · שַׁד (H7699)Genitive of third בִּרְכֹתשַׁד (H7699) 'breast'; dual = both breasts; blessings of nursing and mothering capacity — fertility and nourishment.
וָרָֽחַםand wombconj + N f sg abs · רַחַם (H7356)Coordinate genitiveרַחַם (H7356) 'womb, compassion'; the womb is the source of offspring — Joseph's blessing is bodily, generative, and life-giving.
26

בִּרְכֹ֣ת אָבִ֗יךָ גָּֽבְרוּ֙ עַל בִּרְכֹ֣ת הוֹרַ֔י עַֽד תַּאֲוַ֖ת גִּבְעֹ֣ת עוֹלָ֑ם תִּֽהְיֶ֨ין֙ לְרֹ֣אשׁ יוֹסֵ֔ף וּלְקָדְקֹ֖ד נְזִ֥יר אֶחָֽיו

'The blessings of your father are mighty above the blessings of my parents, up to the delight of the everlasting hills. May they be on the head of Joseph and on the crown of the one set apart from his brothers.'

The father’s blessings crest upon Joseph above ancient heightsבִּרְכֹ֣ת
Joseph is distinguished over the brothers with the most lavish and elevated blessing language in the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
בִּרְכֹ֣תthe blessings ofN f pl constr · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Subject of גָּבְרוּבְּרָכָה (H1293) fourth occurrence in sequence; 'blessings of your father' — the father's blessing surpasses ancestral precedent.
אָבִ֗יךָyour fatherN m sg constr + 2ms suff · אָב (H1)Genitive of בִּרְכֹתאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob's blessings on Joseph exceed those the patriarchs themselves received.
גָּֽבְרוּ֙are mightyQal perf 3cp · גָּבַר (H1396)Predicate verb→ Perfective: established superiorityגָּבַר (H1396) 'be mighty, prevail, surpass'; the blessings on Joseph overpower — exceed in magnitude — all prior ones.
עַלaboveprep · עַל (H5921)Comparative prepositionעַל (H5921) comparative 'above, more than'; Jacob's blessings on Joseph surpass those of the ancestors.
בִּרְכֹ֣תthe blessings ofN f pl constr · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Object of comparisonFifth occurrence; now referring to the ancestral blessings that Jacob's blessings on Joseph exceed.
הוֹרַ֔יmy parentsQal act ptc m pl constr + 1cs suff · הָרָה (H2029)Genitive of prior blessingsהָרָה (H2029) ptc 'those who conceived me, parents'; my begetters = Abraham and Isaac; Joseph exceeds even patriarchal blessing.
עַֽדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Limit prepositionעַד (H5704) 'as far as, up to'; the blessings extend to the limit of the everlasting hills.
תַּאֲוַ֖תthe desire ofN f sg constr · תַּאֲוָה (H8379)Limit phrase (boundary/height)תַּאֲוָה (H8379) 'desire, boundary, delight'; here 'the desirable heights' or 'the limit-point' of the everlasting hills.
גִּבְעֹ֣תthe hills ofN f pl constr · גִּבְעָה (H1389)Genitive of תַּאֲוַתגִּבְעָה (H1389) 'hill'; plural = the primordial hills whose antiquity extends as far back as creation.
עוֹלָ֑םeverlastingN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Genitive of גִּבְעֹתעוֹלָם (H5769) 'eternity, long duration, ancient time'; the everlasting hills are the oldest natural landmarks — vast antiquity.
תִּֽהְיֶ֨ין֙may they beQal impf 3fp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate of blessing (wish)→ Yiqtol: optative blessingהָיָה (H1961) 'be, become'; 3fp subject = the blessings (בְּרָכוֹת, feminine plural) — 'may they come to rest on Joseph's head.'
לְרֹ֣אשׁon the head ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Prepositional predicate (recipient)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; the blessings land on Joseph's head = he receives them fully, as one crowned with abundance.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive of לְרֹאשׁיוֹסֵף (H3130); the climactic recipient — all the stacked blessings converge on the crown of his head.
וּלְקָדְקֹ֖דand on the crown ofconj + prep לְ + N m sg abs · קָדְקֹד (H6936)Coordinate prepositional phraseקָדְקֹד (H6936) 'crown of the head, top of the skull'; parallel to רֹאשׁ — both body-terms for the summit of blessing.
נְזִ֥ירthe one set apart ofN m sg constr · נָזִיר (H5139)Genitive in construct (title)נָזִיר (H5139) 'one consecrated, separated, set apart'; from נָזַר 'dedicate'; Joseph is the separated/distinguished one among his brothers.
אֶחָֽיוhis brothersN m pl constr + 3ms suff · אָח (H251)Genitive of נְזִיראָח (H251) 'brother'; 'the Nazirite/separated of his brothers' — Joseph's unique destiny set apart him above the eleven.
27

בִּנְיָמִין֙ זְאֵ֣ב יִטְרָ֔ף בַּבֹּ֖קֶר יֹ֣אכַל עַ֑ד וְלָעֶ֖רֶב יְחַלֵּ֥ק שָׁלָֽל

'Benjamin is a wolf tearing prey; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil.'

Benjamin closes the sayings in violent predatory imageryבִּנְיָמִין֙
The final tribal image is fierce and martial, ending the poetic sequence with appetite for prey and spoil.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
בִּנְיָמִין֙Benjaminproper N · בִּנְיָמִין (H1144)Subject (tribal oracle)בִּנְיָמִין (H1144), twelfth and last son of Jacob by Rachel; name = 'son of the right hand' (בֶּן + יָמִין); fierce tribal character.
זְאֵ֣בa wolfN m sg abs · זְאֵב (H2061)Predicate nominativeזְאֵב (H2061) 'wolf'; the wolf is the predatory animal par excellence — Benjamin's military ferocity is captured in one image.
יִטְרָ֔ףshall tearQal impf 3ms · טָרַף (H2963)Predicate verb→ Yiqtol: future predatory actionטָרַף (H2963) 'tear, rend prey'; the wolf tears — a violent, decisive, predatory strike. Cf. Saul and other Benjaminite warriors.
בַּבֹּ֖קֶרin the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; morning = the attack — Benjamin strikes at dawn, early and aggressive.
יֹ֣אכַלhe devoursQal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (morning action)→ Yiqtol: devouringאָכַל (H398) 'eat, devour, consume'; the morning assault ends in consuming the prey — total victory and plunder.
עַ֑דpreyN m sg abs · עַד (H5706)Object of יֹאכַלעַד (H5706) 'prey, booty' (distinct from H5704 'until'); Benjamin devours the prey — the morning brings plunder.
וְלָעֶ֖רֶבand in the eveningconj + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Temporal prepositional phraseעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the full day of predation — morning to evening = from attack to dividing the spoil.
יְחַלֵּ֥קdividesPiel impf 3ms · חָלַק (H2505)Predicate verb (evening action)→ Yiqtol: distribution of plunderחָלַק (H2505) Piel 'divide, share out'; the spoil is distributed at evening — the whole day as warrior is encapsulated.
שָׁלָֽלthe spoilN m sg abs · שָׁלָל (H7998)Object of יְחַלֵּקשָׁלָל (H7998) 'spoil, plunder, booty'; military plunder from defeated enemies — the whole verse describes a warrior's day.
28

כָּל אֵ֛לֶּה שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שְׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂ֑ר וְ֠זֹאת אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּ֨ר לָהֶ֤ם אֲבִיהֶם֙ וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ אוֹתָ֔ם אִ֛ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר כְּבִרְכָת֖וֹ בֵּרַ֥ךְ אֹתָֽם

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them and blessed them. Each according to his blessing he blessed them.

The narrator interprets the sayings as the blessing of the twelve tribesכָּל
Prose pauses to declare the whole sequence a blessing, even where blessing has come through rebuke, dispersal, or sharp judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of collective statementכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the narrator surveys the full scope — 'all these are the twelve tribes.'
אֵ֛לֶּהthesedem pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Appositive to כָּלאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the demonstrative points back to the twelve oracles — each named son represents a tribe.
שִׁבְטֵ֥יthe tribes ofN m pl constr · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Predicate nominativeשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, rod'; the twelve sons are now identified as the twelve tribes — the narrative interprets the oracle.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper N · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of שִׁבְטֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation Israel is constituted by these twelve; the poetic future becomes the nation's structure.
שְׁנֵ֣יםtwelvenumeral m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Appositive numeralשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; dual form as first part of compound 'twelve' (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר).
עָשָׂ֑ר(twelve)numeral m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Numeral (compound)עָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten'; combines with שְׁנֵים to form 'twelve' — the complete tribal count of Israel.
וְ֠זֹאתand thisconj + dem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of narrative interpretationזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; refers to what Jacob spoke — the narrative now explicitly interprets the whole speech.
אֲשֶׁרwhich/whatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause headאֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the content clause explaining what זֹאת refers to.
דִּבֶּ֨רhe spokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (interpretive)→ Perfective: completed speechדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'speak, utter, declare'; the formal verb of prophetic utterance — what he said was weighty and binding.
לָהֶ֤םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffIndirect object
אֲבִיהֶם֙their fatherN m sg constr + 3mp suff · אָב (H1)Subject of דִּבֶּראָב (H1) 'father'; 'their father' = Jacob; the paternal relationship is emphasized in the narrative summary.
וַיְבָ֣רֶךְand he blessedconj + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (narrator's verdict)→ Wayyiqtol: decisive act of blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'bless'; the narrator declares the whole speech a blessing — even rebukes are read as blessings.
אוֹתָ֔םthemobj marker + 3mp suff · אֵת (H853)Object of וַיְבָרֶךְSuffixed אֵת marking direct object 'them' = all twelve sons.
אִ֛ישׁeachN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man, each'; distributive 'each one according to his blessing' — individualized blessing within the whole.
אֲשֶׁ֥רaccording torel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (comparative)אֲשֶׁר (H834) here functions with כְּ = 'according to what'; each son blessed according to his appropriate portion.
כְּבִרְכָת֖וֹhis blessingprep כְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suff · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Standard of comparisonבְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing'; each one blessed κατά (according to) his particular blessing — individualized destiny.
בֵּרַ֥ךְhe blessedPiel perf 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (summary)→ Perfective: completed act of blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel; the repetition of 'bless' three times in v.28 (speak/bless/bless) underscores the chapter's dominant act.
אֹתָֽםthemobj marker + 3mp suff · אֵת (H853)Object of בֵּרַךְ
29

וַיְצַ֣ו אוֹתָ֗ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ אֲנִי֙ נֶאֱסָ֣ף אֶל עַמִּ֔י קִבְר֥וּ אֹתִ֖י אֶל אֲבֹתָ֑י אֶל הַ֨מְּעָרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּשְׂדֵ֖ה עֶפְר֥וֹן הַֽחִתִּֽי

And he commanded them and said to them, 'I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,'

Jacob commands burial with the fathers at Machpelahוַיְצַ֣ו
After the tribal future has been spoken, Jacob’s last concrete concern is burial in the ancestral place of covenant memory.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיְצַ֣וand he commandedconj + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: consequential commandצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'command, charge, commission'; Jacob's final act after the oracle — a formal burial instruction.
אוֹתָ֗םthemobj marker + 3mp suff · אֵת (H853)Object of וַיְצַו
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Speech-introduction verb→ Wayyiqtol: narrative sequenceאָמַר (H559) 'say'; introduces the direct speech of the burial command.
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + 3mp suff · אֶל (H413)Indirect object
אֲנִי֙Ipers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic)אֲנִי (H589) independent 1cs pronoun; emphatic — 'I myself am being gathered.'
נֶאֱסָ֣ףam being gatheredNiphal pass ptc m sg abs · אָסַף (H622)Participial predicate (imminent death)→ Stative participle: being gathered nowאָסַף (H622) Niphal ptc 'being gathered'; the classic idiom for death — 'gathered to one's people' = ancestral reunion.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to'; direction of the gathering — to his people, not merely to the grave.
עַמִּ֔יmy peopleN m sg constr + 1cs suff · עַם (H5971)Object of אֶלעַם (H5971) 'people'; 'my people' = the ancestral dead — Abraham, Isaac, and all who went before.
קִבְר֥וּburyQal impv 2mp · קָבַר (H6912)Imperative command (burial)→ Volitional: command of burialקָבַר (H6912) 'bury, inter'; the command that will occupy much of Genesis 50 — burial at Machpelah.
אֹתִ֖יmeobj marker + 1cs suff · אֵת (H853)Object of קִבְרוּ
אֶלwithprep · אֶל (H413)Directional/comitative prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, with'; burial 'with' the fathers = in their same place.
אֲבֹתָ֑יmy fathersN m pl constr + 1cs suff · אָב (H1)Object of אֶלאָב (H1) 'father'; plural 'my fathers' = the patriarchs — Abraham and Isaac buried at Machpelah.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (locating)
הַ֨מְּעָרָ֔הthe caveart + N f sg abs · מְעָרָה (H4631)Object of locating prepositionמְעָרָה (H4631) 'cave'; the Cave of Machpelah, purchased by Abraham as the family burial site (Gen 23).
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head
בִּשְׂדֵ֖הin the field ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phraseשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, land'; the field purchased from Ephron includes the cave — legal ownership secured the burial site.
עֶפְר֥וֹןEphronproper N · עֶפְרוֹן (H6085)Genitive of שְׂדֵהעֶפְרוֹן (H6085), the Hittite from whom Abraham purchased the Machpelah field and cave (Gen 23:8-17).
הַֽחִתִּֽיthe Hittiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Appositive to עֶפְרוֹןחִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite'; gentilic from חֵת (Heth); the ethnic identification grounds the legal transaction in historical specificity.
30

בַּמְּעָרָ֞ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בִּשְׂדֵ֧ה הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל פְּנֵי מַמְרֵ֖א בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן אֲשֶׁר֩ קָנָ֨ה אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה מֵאֵ֛ת עֶפְרֹ֥ן הַחִתִּ֖י לַאֲחֻזַּת קָֽבֶר

'in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place.'

The cave and field are precisely identified through Abraham’s purchaseבַּמְּעָרָ֞ה
The burial command is grounded in legal and geographic memory, not vague ancestral sentiment.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
בַּמְּעָרָ֞הin the caveprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · מְעָרָה (H4631)Locative prepositional phrase (specifying)מְעָרָה (H4631) 'cave'; the cave is now more precisely identified — in the field of Machpelah.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head
בִּשְׂדֵ֧הin the field ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phraseשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'; repeated location-detail anchors this as a legally-owned, precisely-known site.
הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛הMachpelahart + proper N · מַכְפֵּלָה (H4375)Genitive of שְׂדֵהמַכְפֵּלָה (H4375), the site of the patriarchal burial cave near Mamre; name may mean 'the double one.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (second)
עַלbeforeprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositionעַל (H5921) 'over, before, facing'; the field faces/is near Mamre — geographic triangulation of the site.
פְּנֵיthe face ofN m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of עַלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; עַל פְּנֵי = 'before, in front of'; geographic idiom locating the field vis-à-vis Mamre.
מַמְרֵ֖אMamreproper N · מַמְרֵא (H4471)Genitive of פְּנֵימַמְרֵא (H4471), the location near Hebron associated with Abraham's encampment and the purchase of Machpelah (Gen 23:17-19).
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the burial site is explicitly in Canaan — in the promised land, anchoring future hope there.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanproper N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of אֶרֶץכְּנַעַן (H3667) 'Canaan'; the land of promise; burial in Canaan expresses faith in the ancestral promise.
אֲשֶׁר֩whichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (third)
קָנָ֨הboughtQal perf 3ms · קָנָה (H7069)Predicate verb (purchase history)→ Perfective: completed legal purchaseקָנָה (H7069) 'buy, purchase, acquire'; the legal basis of the burial right — Abraham's purchase is the ancestral deed.
אַבְרָהָ֜םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of קָנָהאַבְרָהָם (H85), the patriarch whose purchase of the Machpelah cave in Gen 23 is the legal foundation for burial there.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַשָּׂדֶ֗הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Object of קָנָהשָׂדֶה (H7704); the field including the cave was Abraham's legal purchase — giving the family a permanent stake in the land.
מֵאֵ֛תfromprep מִן + prep · אֵת (H854)Source prepositional phraseמֵאֵת (H854) compound preposition 'from with'; source of the sale transaction.
עֶפְרֹ֥ןEphronproper N · עֶפְרוֹן (H6085)Object of מֵאֵתעֶפְרוֹן (H6085); the seller of the Machpelah field to Abraham (Gen 23); his name is cited to ground the purchase historically.
הַחִתִּ֖יthe Hittiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Appositive to עֶפְרֹןחִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite'; gentilic noun; confirms the ethnic origin of the seller in the legal chain of title.
לַאֲחֻזַּתas a possession forprep לְ + N f sg constr · אֲחֻזָּה (H272)Purposive prepositional phraseאֲחֻזָּה (H272) 'possession, property'; from אָחַז 'seize, hold'; legal term for title-holding — a family burial possession.
קָֽבֶרa graveN m sg abs · קֶבֶר (H6913)Genitive of אֲחֻזַּתקֶבֶר (H6913) 'grave, tomb, burial place'; the purpose of the land-purchase is explicit — ancestral burial rights in Canaan.
31

שָׁ֣מָּה קָֽבְר֞וּ אֶת אַבְרָהָ֗ם וְאֵת֙ שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ שָׁ֚מָּה קָבְר֣וּ אֶת יִצְחָ֔ק וְאֵ֖ת רִבְקָ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וְשָׁ֥מָּה קָבַ֖רְתִּי אֶת לֵאָֽה

'There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.'

The patriarchal dead are named, and Leah is included with themשָׁ֣מָּה
The line gathers Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah into one burial memory that Jacob explicitly joins.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
שָׁ֣מָּהthereadv + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb (fronted)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' + locative ה; emphatic fronting of place = 'there (and nowhere else) they buried.'
קָֽבְר֞וּthey buriedQal perf 3cp · קָבַר (H6912)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed burialקָבַר (H6912) 'bury'; each clause begins with שָׁמָּה + קָבְרוּ — the triple repetition marks each burial as solemn and specific.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אַבְרָהָ֗םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Object of קָבְרוּאַבְרָהָם (H85), first patriarch; buried at Machpelah after Sarah (Gen 25:9).
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
שָׂרָ֣הSarahproper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Object (coordinate)שָׂרָה (H8283), Abraham's wife; the first to be buried at Machpelah (Gen 23:19); her burial motivated the purchase.
אִשְׁתּ֔וֹhis wifeN f sg constr + 3ms suff · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive to שָׂרָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the spousal identification is given for each pair — husband and wife buried together.
שָׁ֚מָּהthereadv + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb (fronted, second clause)שָׁם (H8033) repeated for Isaac; the triple שָׁמָּה creates a rhythmic, liturgical-like recitation of ancestral burials.
קָבְר֣וּthey buriedQal perf 3cp · קָבַר (H6912)Predicate verb (second burial)→ Perfective: completed burialקָבַר (H6912) repeated; the same verb for each burial unit — the repetition binds the patriarchs in one burial tradition.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יִצְחָ֔קIsaacproper N · יִצְחָק (H3327)Object of second קָבְרוּיִצְחָק (H3327), second patriarch; buried at Machpelah by Jacob and Esau (Gen 35:29).
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
רִבְקָ֣הRebekahproper N · רִבְקָה (H7259)Object (coordinate)רִבְקָה (H7259), Isaac's wife; mentioned only here as buried at Machpelah — no burial account in Genesis; this is the only notice.
אִשְׁתּ֑וֹhis wifeN f sg constr + 3ms suff · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive to רִבְקָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; the spousal pairing (אִישׁ/אִשָּׁה) for Isaac mirrors that for Abraham.
וְשָׁ֥מָּהand thereconj + adv + dir he · שָׁם (H8033)Coordinate locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) third occurrence; now for Leah — Jacob shifts from 'they buried' to 'I buried' in first person.
קָבַ֖רְתִּיI buriedQal perf 1cs · קָבַר (H6912)Predicate verb (first person)→ Perfective: completed burial by Jacob himselfקָבַר (H6912) 1cs; the shift to first person ('I buried Leah') adds personal weight — Jacob himself is speaker here.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
לֵאָֽהLeahproper N · לֵאָה (H3812)Object of קָבַרְתִּילֵאָה (H3812), Jacob's first wife, mother of six sons; buried at Machpelah; her inclusion here gives her dignity alongside Rachel's absence.
32

מִקְנֵ֧ה הַשָּׂדֶ֛ה וְהַמְּעָרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר בּ֖וֹ מֵאֵ֥ת בְּנֵי חֵֽת

'The purchase of the field and of the cave that is in it was from the sons of Heth.'

The purchased status of field and cave is reaffirmedמִקְנֵ֧ה
The repetition secures the burial place as lawful ancestral possession in the land of promise.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
מִקְנֵ֧הthe purchase ofN m sg constr · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Subject of nominal clauseמִקְנֶה (H4735) 'purchase, acquisition'; from קָנָה; the legal summary — what was acquired (field and cave) and from whom.
הַשָּׂדֶ֛הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive of מִקְנֵהשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'; the field was purchased together with the cave — both elements of the Machpelah transaction.
וְהַמְּעָרָ֥הand the caveconj + art + N f sg abs · מְעָרָה (H4631)Coordinate genitiveמְעָרָה (H4631) 'cave'; Abraham purchased both the field and its cave as a legal burial possession.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head
בּ֖וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms suff · בְּLocative (cave location)Resumptive pronoun refers to the field — the cave 'in it' = the cave within the purchased field.
מֵאֵ֥תfromprep מִן + prep · אֵת (H854)Source prepositional phraseמֵאֵת 'from with'; the source of the transaction — purchased from the sons of Heth.
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of מֵאֵתבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Heth' = the Hittite community from whom Abraham conducted the transaction (Gen 23:3-20).
חֵֽתHethproper N · חֵת (H2845)Genitive of בְּנֵיחֵת (H2845), son of Canaan (Gen 10:15); progenitor of the Hittites; the formal ethnic identification closes the legal summary.
33

וַיְכַ֤ל יַעֲקֹב֙ לְצַוֺּ֣ת אֶת בָּנָ֔יו וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ף רַגְלָ֖יו אֶל הַמִּטָּ֑ה וַיִּגְוַ֖ע וַיֵּאָ֥סֶף אֶל עַמָּֽיו

And Jacob finished commanding his sons and drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Jacob finishes, dies, and is gathered to his peopleוַיְכַ֤ל
The patriarch completes both speech and command, then passes into the classic ancestral death formula that closes his life.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיְכַ֤לand he finishedconj + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: completion of speech-actכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'finish, complete, bring to an end'; the entire chapter's speech and command are formally concluded.
יַעֲקֹב֙Jacobproper N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיְכַליַעֲקֹב (H3290); the use of the name Jacob (not Israel) at death marks the patriarch as person, not only covenant-identity.
לְצַוֺּ֣תcommandingprep לְ + Piel inf constr · צָוָה (H6680)Infinitive (object of completion)→ Infinitive: completed activityצָוָה (H6680) Piel inf constr 'to command'; 'he finished commanding' — the speech-act and the burial-command are both now complete.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
בָּנָ֔יוhis sonsN m pl constr + 3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Object of לְצַוֺּתבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'his sons' — the same group called to gather in v.1; the frame closes.
וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ףand he drew upconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb (dying gesture)→ Wayyiqtol: final physical actאָסַף (H622) Qal 'gather, draw in'; Jacob draws his feet up onto the bed — a final act of composure before death.
רַגְלָ֖יוhis feetN f du constr + 3ms suff · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object of וַיֶּאֱסֹףרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; gathering the feet into the bed = the composed, dignified posture of a patriarch meeting death.
אֶלontoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) directional 'onto, into'; direction of the feet being drawn.
הַמִּטָּ֑הthe bedart + N f sg abs · מִטָּה (H4296)Object of אֶלמִטָּה (H4296) 'bed, couch'; Jacob has been sitting on his bed throughout (cf. 48:2); drawing feet in = lying fully down.
וַיִּגְוַ֖עand he breathed his lastconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · גָּוַע (H1478)Predicate verb (death proper)→ Wayyiqtol: moment of deathגָּוַע (H1478) 'breathe one's last, expire'; a specific verb for the moment of expiration, used for patriarchal death (cf. 25:17).
וַיֵּאָ֥סֶףand was gatheredconj + Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb (ancestral gathering)→ Wayyiqtol: passive ancestral reunionאָסַף (H622) Niphal 'be gathered'; the classical death formula — gathered to one's people = reunion with the ancestral dead.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition
עַמָּֽיוhis peopleN m pl constr + 3ms suff · עַם (H5971)Object of אֶל (ancestral community)עַם (H5971) 'people'; plural suffix 'his peoples' = the community of the ancestral dead; the formula closes the patriarchal era.