A.M. 2315. B.C. 1689.
Jacob is here upon his death-bed making his will: what he said here he could not say when he would, but as the Spirit gave him utterance, who chose this time, that divine strength might be perfected in his weakness. The twelve sons of Jacob were in their day men of renown; but the twelve tribes of Israel, which descended and were denominated from them, were much more renowned: we find their names upon the gates of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:12.
In the prospect of which their dying father saith something remarkable of each son, or of the tribe that bore his name. Here is,
( 1,) The preface, Genesis 49:1-2.
(2,) The prediction concerning each tribe, Genesis 49:3-28.
(3,) The charge repeated concerning his burial, Genesis 49:29-32.
(4,) His death, Genesis 49:33.