Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Genesis 49

This chapter is a prophecy; the likest to it we have yet met with was that of Noah, Genesis 9:25-9:27 Jacob is here upon his death-bed, making his will. He put it off till now, because dying men’s words are apt to make deep impressions, and to be remembered long: 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 this their dying father says something remarkable of each son, or of the tribe that bore his name. Here is, I. The preface, Genesis 49:1, 49:2. II. The prediction concerning each tribe, Genesis 49:3-49:28. III. The charge repeated concerning his burial, Genesis 49:29-49:32. IV. His death, Genesis 49:33. MHBCC 50.1