Genesis 49:28
New International Version
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.

New Living Translation
These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said as he told his sons good-bye. He blessed each one with an appropriate message.

English Standard Version
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him.

Berean Standard Bible
These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.

New American Standard Bible
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.

NASB 1995
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.

NASB 1977
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. So he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.

Amplified Bible
All these are the [beginnings of the] twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each one according to the blessing appropriate to him.

Christian Standard Bible
These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this is what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These are the tribes of Israel, 12 in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is how Jacob gave each of them their proper blessings.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These are the 12 tribes of Israel and what their father said to them when he gave each of them his special blessing.

Good News Translation
These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said as he spoke a suitable word of farewell to each son.

International Standard Version
That's how Israel blessed these twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father told them when he pronounced his blessing for them, blessing each one with a blessing suitable for them.

Majority Standard Bible
These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

NET Bible
These are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He gave each of them an appropriate blessing.

New Heart English Bible
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed each one with his own individual blessing.

Webster's Bible Translation
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it which their father spoke to them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

World English Bible
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them, and blessed them. He blessed everyone according to his own blessing.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
All these [are] the twelve tribes of Israel, and this [is] that which their father has spoken to them, and he blesses them; each according to his blessing he has blessed them.

Young's Literal Translation
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is that which their father hath spoken unto them, and he blesseth them; each according to his blessing he hath blessed them.

Smith's Literal Translation
All these tribes of Israel, twelve: and this what their father spake to them, and he will bless them; each according to his blessing he blessed them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: these things their father spoke to them, and he blessed every one, with their proper blessings.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. These things their father spoke to them, and he blessed each one with their proper blessings.

New American Bible
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said about them, as he blessed them. To each he gave a suitable blessing.

New Revised Standard Version
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, blessing each one of them with a suitable blessing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel; and this is what their father Jacob said to them; he addressed them, then he blessed them, according to his blessing, he blessed every one of them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
All of these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what Yaquuv their father said to them; he spoke to them and he blessed them, each man; according to his blessing he blessed them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is it that their father spoke unto them and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
All these are the twelve sons of Jacob; and their father spoke these words to them, and he blessed them; he blessed each of them according to his blessing.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Blesses His Sons
27Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.” 28These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.

Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:1-29
This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. / He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand. / Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet; each receives Your words— ...

Hebrews 11:20-21
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. / By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Numbers 24:1-9
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. / When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, / and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, ...

Revelation 7:4-8
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: / From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, / from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, ...

Joshua 13:7-33
Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.” / The other half of Manasseh, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, had received the inheritance Moses had given them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the LORD had assigned to them: / The area from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, the whole plateau of Medeba as far as Dibon, ...

Ezekiel 48:1-29
“Now these are the names of the tribes: At the northern frontier, Dan will have one portion bordering the road of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath and running on to Hazar-enan on the border of Damascus with Hamath to the north, and extending from the east side to the west side. / Asher will have one portion bordering the territory of Dan from east to west. / Naphtali will have one portion bordering the territory of Asher from east to west. ...

1 Chronicles 5:1-2
These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. / And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

Judges 5:14-18
Some came from Ephraim, with their roots in Amalek; Benjamin came with your people after you. The commanders came down from Machir, the bearers of the marshal’s staff from Zebulun. / The princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar was with Barak, rushing into the valley at his heels. In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. / Why did you sit among the sheepfolds to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. ...

1 Kings 18:31
And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.”

Romans 11:1-5
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. / God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? ...

Exodus 1:1-5
These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: / Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; / Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; ...

Acts 7:8
Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

Psalm 105:8-11
He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ...

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

1 Chronicles 12:23-40
Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: / From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears. / From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

the twelve.

Numbers 23:24
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

Esther 8:7,9,11
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews…

Esther 9:1-10:3
Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) …

every one.

Genesis 35:22
And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:

Exodus 28:21
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

1 Kings 18:31
And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

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Appropriate Blessed Blesseth Blessing Israel Suitable Tribes Twelve Words
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Appropriate Blessed Blesseth Blessing Israel Suitable Tribes Twelve Words
Genesis 49
1. Jacob calls his sons to bless them.
3. Their blessing in particular.
29. He charges them about his burial.
33. He dies.














These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all
The twelve tribes of Israel are the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. This phrase signifies the foundational structure of the nation of Israel, which plays a central role throughout the Old Testament. Each tribe would later receive a portion of the Promised Land, as detailed in the book of Joshua. The number twelve is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness and divine order, as seen in the twelve apostles in the New Testament.

and this was what their father said to them
Jacob, as the patriarch, holds a significant role in delivering these prophetic blessings. His words are not merely paternal advice but are seen as divinely inspired prophecies that would shape the future of each tribe. This moment is reminiscent of other patriarchal blessings, such as Isaac's blessing over Jacob and Esau, which carried significant weight and consequences.

He blessed them
The act of blessing is a powerful biblical tradition, often invoking God's favor and protection. In this context, Jacob's blessings are prophetic, foretelling the future of each tribe. The concept of blessing is deeply rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised to bless Abraham and his descendants, making them a great nation.

and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing
Each son receives a blessing tailored to his character and future role within the nation of Israel. This individual attention underscores the personal relationship between God and His people, as well as the unique purpose and destiny assigned to each tribe. The blessings range from promises of prosperity and leadership to warnings of struggle and servitude, reflecting the diverse paths the tribes would take. This personalized approach is echoed in the New Testament, where spiritual gifts are distributed individually by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob (Israel)
The patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel, who is giving his final blessings to his sons.

2. The Twelve Tribes of Israel
The descendants of Jacob's twelve sons, each receiving a unique blessing that reflects their future roles and destinies.

3. Blessing Event
Jacob's prophetic blessings to his sons, which are both a farewell and a foretelling of the future of each tribe.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Individual Roles
Each son received a blessing "appropriate to him," highlighting the unique roles and purposes God has for each person. We should seek to understand and fulfill our God-given roles.

Prophetic Fulfillment
Jacob's blessings were not just words of farewell but prophetic insights into the future. This reminds us of the reliability of God's word and His sovereign plan.

The Legacy of Faith
Jacob's blessings were rooted in the promises God made to Abraham and Isaac. Our actions and faith today can impact future generations.

Unity in Diversity
Though each tribe had a different blessing, together they formed the nation of Israel. In the body of Christ, diverse gifts and roles contribute to the unity and mission of the Church.(28) These are the twelve tribes.--As we have seen in the case of Dan, Jacob had the further object of forming his descendants into twelve separate communities, which were, like the States in America, each to be independent, and have its own tribal government. From this position Levi naturally was excluded, when selected for the priesthood, and room was thus made for the bestowal of two of these communities upon the descendants of Joseph. Only in case of war they were to combine under the chieftainship of Judah. In the Book of Judges, however, we find the tribes as separate in matters of war as of peace, and by the time of Saul the need of a closer union had been felt, and tribal independence had been found to lead only to anarchy.

Verse 28. - All these are the twelve tribes of Israel (the underlying thought is that in blessing his sons Jacob was really blessing the future tribes): and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them (i.e. every one received his own appropriate benediction).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
These
אֵ֛לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the tribes
שִׁבְטֵ֥י (šiḇ·ṭê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

twelve
שְׁנֵ֣ים (šə·nêm)
Number - md
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

in all,
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

and this
וְ֠זֹאת (wə·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

was what
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

their father
אֲבִיהֶם֙ (’ă·ḇî·hem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

said
דִּבֶּ֨ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to them.
לָהֶ֤ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

He blessed them,
וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ (way·ḇā·reḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

and he blessed
בֵּרַ֥ךְ (bê·raḵ)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

each one
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

with a suitable blessing.
כְּבִרְכָת֖וֹ (kə·ḇir·ḵā·ṯōw)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1293: Benediction, prosperity


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OT Law: Genesis 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 49:27
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