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Genesis 49: Patriarchal Blessings for Israel’s Sons


“Genesis 49: Patriarchal Blessings for Israel’s Sons,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 40–41

“Genesis 49,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 40–41

Genesis 49

Patriarchal Blessings for Israel’s Sons

Genesis 49 contains the blessings given by the prophet and patriarch Jacob (Israel) to his twelve sons before he died. Especially notice the blessings given to Judah, whose descendants include Jesus Christ, and the blessings given to Joseph, whose descendants are the people of the Book of Mormon and most Church members since the Restoration.

To better understand this chapter, it is helpful to know that it was written in poetry in the original Hebrew. The poetic form most often used in the scriptures, especially in the Old Testament, is called “parallelism.” In this form, the writer, or speaker, says something and then repeats it using different words. Note the two phrases at the end of verse 11:

  • “He washed his garments in wine.”

  • “[He washed] his clothes in the blood of grapes.”

Studying the Scriptures

Do two of the following activities (A–C) as you study Genesis 49.

  1. Identify the Blessings

    Underline the names of the twelve sons of Israel in your scriptures so that you can quickly see where to find each son’s blessing. Write about the special things promised to Judah and Joseph; two blessings seem to stand out above the others.

  2. Patriarchal Blessings

    The blessings given in Genesis 49 are like patriarchal blessings. Explain what your patriarchal blessing means to you.

    or

    Explain why we receive a patriarchal blessing and what the requirements are to receive one.

  3. How Was This Prophecy Fulfilled?

    Explain what verse 22 in Genesis 49 means. To help you, read 1 Nephi 5:14–16 and Jacob 2:25, which tell which tribe the Book of Mormon people are from. Also keep in mind that Elder LeGrand Richards said that the “everlasting hills” in Genesis 49:26 refer to the Americas (see Conference Report, Apr. 1967, 20).