King James Version

What Does Genesis 49:28 Mean?

Genesis 49:28 in the King James Version says “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.”

Genesis 49:28 · KJV

Context

26

The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

27

Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

28

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

29

And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

30

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 of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and ble... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כָּל1 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֵ֛לֶּה2 of 18
H428

these or those

שִׁבְטֵ֥י3 of 18

“tribes”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל4 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

שְׁנֵ֣ים5 of 18
H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֑ר6 of 18

“All these are the twelve”

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

וְ֠זֹאת7 of 18
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 18

“them every”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֨ר9 of 18

“spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לָהֶ֤ם10 of 18
H0
אֲבִיהֶם֙11 of 18

“and this is it that their father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בֵּרַ֥ךְ12 of 18

“he blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אוֹתָ֔ם13 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִ֛ישׁ14 of 18
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר15 of 18

“them every”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

כְּבִרְכָת֖וֹ16 of 18

“according to his blessing”

H1293

benediction; by implication prosperity

בֵּרַ֥ךְ17 of 18

“he blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֹתָֽם׃18 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 49:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 49:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 7:4Esther 9:1-10Numbers 23:24Genesis 35:22Esther 8:9Esther 8:7

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