The blessings of thy father, &c.— This verse is variously rendered. The common interpretation given is this; thy father's blessings, or prayers, in thy behalf, are more ample, prevalent, and comprehensive, than the blessings of My progenitors in behalf of Me; and these blessings shall be, or, may they be, upon the head of Joseph, unto the utmost bounds or duration of the everlasting hills; i.e.. may they over-top and out-stretch the everlasting mountains, and prove to him more fruitful and lasting than they. Junius renders it, "May the blessings of thy father, with the blessings of my progenitors, whose powerful effect will continue while the lasting hills endure, may they all descend upon the head of Joseph."
The everlasting hills— The word עולם oulam, when applied to time, signifies a duration which is concealed, (for that is the import of the root,) as being an unknown or great length, with respect either to time past or to come; thus, perpetual hills mean hills which have been from the beginning, and shall continue to the end of the world.
That was separate from his brethren— Or, That was prince of his brethren. Durell renders this, On the crown-of-the-head of the prince of his brethren. That נזיר nazir, (the word here used, and in our version rendered, was separate,) implies, one highly distinguished in eminence and dignity, is agreed by the most judicious critics: and Sir John Chardin says, that it is still the very name which is given in Persia to the first officer of state, or superintendant of all the demesnes. See his account of the coronation of Solyman III. Jacob therefore might use this term with reference to the same office, which Joseph enjoyed at that very time; but yet he might very possibly carry his view farther, and here obliquely suggest, that Joseph's posterity would be long distinguished in an eminent manner above their brethren, by being vested with the sovereign power, which they enjoyed for many centuries. However that be, Joseph is called a GOVERNOR OF HIS BRETHREN, in allusion, no doubt, to this place.
The whole scope of this verse will best appear by some such paraphrase as this: "The blessing of a fruitful and numerous progeny (a blessing far superior to the possession of a delightful, fertile, and extensive country) is a blessing which thy father particularly promises as the lot of his son Joseph, who is, and shall be, of a very distinguished rank among his brethren." See note on ch. Genesis 48:20.
REFLECTIONS.—Joseph, being the beloved child, comes in for a peculiar blessing. His sons are the branches of the spreading tree. Though sore afflictions had been his lot, severely treated by his brethren, and more severely tempted by his mistress, (what fiery darts so sharp!) yet firm he stood, unmoved, unshaken: glory be given to Divine Grace! Joseph is Jacob's shepherd, to feed him in the time of dearth, and the support of his sinking family, and his reward shall be accordingly. God, his father's God, shall make his seed victorious, the best of blessings shall descend upon him, and greater than those of his progenitors, in the immediate vast increase of his posterity; and all those blessings should be as enduring as the mountains. Thus, though separated from and hated of his brethren, a crown of excellence is bestowed upon him. Note; On the spiritual seed of Jesus, the hated of his brethren, shall be the blessings of heaven above. They shall be fed by breasts of present consolations, and have their mansions on those mountains which are truly everlasting, separated from the world which lieth in wickedness, and blest with the transcendently glorious favour of Jacob's God. My soul, may this blessing be thine, and then every present trial will be light, every suffering joyous!