TRIBE JACOB’S BLESSING (Genesis 49) MOSES’S BLESSING (Deuteronomy 33)

 Beginning of Jacob’s strength; excellency of  Let Reuben live and not die
Reuben dignity and power (Being the firstborn)  Let him not be few
 Shall not excel

 With Levi 
Simeon  Cruelty between each other
 Divided and scattered in Israel

 With Simeon  Let God’s Thummim and Urim be with them

Levi  Cruelty between each other  Shall bring God’s judgements
 Divided and scattered in Israel  Shall teach Israel God’s laws
 Bless his substance, and accept their work
 Strike those who rise against him.
 Shall be praised  Let God hear his voice
Judah  Lion’s whelp  Let him not lack
 Royalty (Royal blood)  May God help him against his enemies
 Lawmaker
 Strong donkey - industrious / inclined to  With Zebulun
Issachar labour  Shall offer sacrifices of righteousness
 Falls to the trap of strong labour / slavery  Blessed with the abundance of the sea

 Shall dwell in the safe places by the sea  With Issachar

Zebulun  Shall become a safe place for ships (fish  Shall offer sacrifices of righteousness
market / transportation)  Blessed with the abundance of the sea

 Fruitful bough  Blessed land - with great and abundant

Joseph  Remains strengthened in the midst of hatred produces
 “From Joseph come the Shepherd, the Stone  Be glorious
of Israel”  Shall triumph over the enemies
 God will help and bless
 Ravenous wolf - devouring the prey, and  Shall dwell in safety
Benjamin dividing the spoils  Sheltered by God

 Shall judge his people - Provide justice for  Lion’s whelp

Dan Israel (Dan=Judge)
 Avenges his people
 Destroys everything without touching - “A
viper that bites the horse’s heel, so that its
rider falls.” (Connects with Samson)
 Goes around and everywhere, preaching  Has the favour of God
Naphtali Godly words  Blessed by God
 Prophets, Seers, etc.  Possesses the west and south

 Gad=Troop  “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad”

Gad  Will be tramped upon, but shall triumph  Dwells as a lion
 Administers justice

 Shall produce rich food / royalty food  Favoured by the brothers

Asher  Shall be helped by God
 God is his refuge, fighting off their enemies
Leah Rachel Bilhah (Rachel’s maid) Zilpah (Leah’s maid)