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27. Benjamin] The fierce and warlike qualities of Benjamin, here described under the simile of a wolf, appear in Jdg 5:14; Jdg 5:19; Jdg 20:21-25.

a wolf that ravineth] i.e. a wolf that seizes and rends his prey. Cf. Ezekiel 22:27. Elsewhere in the O.T. the simile of a wolf is used only in a bad sense.

To “ravin” is Old English for “to prey with rapacity”: cf. Shakespeare, Cymb., i. 6, “The cloy’d will, … ravening first The lamb.”

at even] Compare the expression “evening wolves,” i.e. those which “at even” are most terrible and savage; Jeremiah 5:6; Habakkuk 1:8; Zephaniah 3:3. It is noteworthy that there is no certain reference to the reign of Saul as conferring distinction upon the tribe. But “shall divide the spoil” recalls the description of the Benjamite monarch, who “clothed the daughters of Israel in scarlet, and put ornaments of gold on their apparel” (2 Samuel 1:24).

28. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel] In the enumeration of the twelve tribes, in this song, Joseph is reckoned as one; in Deuteronomy 33, Simeon is omitted, and Ephraim and Manasseh take the place of Joseph. In Numbers 2, Simeon is retained; Levi is omitted; Ephraim and Manasseh replace Joseph.

28–33. Genesis 49:28 a is the editorial conclusion to Jacob’s blessing. Genesis 49:28 b–33 resume from Genesis 49:1 a, and record Jacob’s death according to P.

29. gathered unto my people] See note on Genesis 25:8 (P).

bury me] Cf. Genesis 47:29-31 (J).

30. the cave, &c.] See Genesis 23:16-18.

31. there they buried, &c.] See, for the burial of Sarah, Genesis 23:19; of Abraham, Genesis 25:9-10; of Isaac, Genesis 35:29. The burials of Rebekah and Leah are not recorded.

33. gathered up his feet] Jacob now lay down; he had been sitting. See Genesis 48:2 (E).

yielded up the ghost] Cf. Genesis 25:8 (P). The phrase is an English one. The Hebrew has simply “and expired.” LXX ἐξέλιπε; Lat. obiit.

unto his people] See note on Genesis 25:8. The present passage shews clearly that “to be gathered unto one’s people” is not burial in the ancestral place of sepulture (for the account of Jacob’s burial seventy days later comes in the next chapter); but the soul’s departure to the gathering-place of the deceased members of the family, i.e. Sheôl.

Ch. 50 (J, P, E.)

  1–13.  The mourning for Jacob and his burial.

  14–21.  Joseph and his brethren.

  22–26.  Joseph’s death.

With the exception of Genesis 50:12-13, which are from P, this chapter contains the narrative of J and E. Genesis 50:1-11; Genesis 50:14 (J) follow upon Genesis 47:29-31 (Joseph being the prominent person); Genesis 50:12-13 (P) follow upon Genesis 49:29-33 (Jacob’s sons collectively acting together); Genesis 50:15-26, from E.

1. And Joseph] For Joseph’s strong affection for his father, cf. Genesis 45:3, Genesis 46:29.