Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 49:33
And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.
33. gathered up his feet ] Jacob now lay down; he had been sitting. See Gen 48:2 (E).
yielded up the ghost ] Cf. Gen 25:8 (P). The phrase is an English one. The Hebrew has simply “and expired.” LXX ; Lat. obiit.
unto his people ] See note on Gen 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. Shel.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Gen 49:33
When Jacob had made an end . . . he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost
Jacobs death-bed:
I.
HIS AFFECTION FOR THE LIVING.
1. His affection was impartial.
2. His affection was religious.
II. SYMPATHY WITH THE DEAD,
III. HIS MAGNANIMITY IN ALL. No perturbation. Two things alone can explain his calmness.
1. Faith in his future existence.
2. Faith in the happiness of his future existence. (Homilist.)
Jacobs death and funeral:
I. THE PATRIARCH DEPARTURE.
1. A hint of immortality. Amid the shadows of the past there were beams of light that spoke of a future state (life and immortality brought to life by the gospel). Jacob was gathered to his people (Gen 49:33). Jehovah was known as the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. The patriarchs were therefore living. To them Jacob was gathered.
2. An illustration of natural sorrow. Joseph fell on his fathers face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. Picture this affecting sight. Wealth and power had not hardened Josephs heart. We sorrow not, as they that have no hope.
3. An illustration of filial obedience. Joseph remembering his promise to his father (Gen 47:29-31), had him embalmed, &c. Do we remember dying parents wishes, not to carry him to the promised land, but to meet him there?
II. THE MAGNIFICENT FUNERAL.
1. There was the usual ceremonious mourning of many days.
2. Joseph seeks permission of the king to bury his father.
3. At the head of a great retinue he passes up once more to Canaan. How great the difference between his leaving and entering Canaan. Thirty-nine years have elapsed. The youth of seventeen has become a man of fifty-six. The slave has become a prince. Both were occasions of grief. Then he was leaving his father through the treachery of his brothers; now he is burying his father with his brethren around him.
4. Such a funeral never before seen in Canaan. The Canaanites find that the old shepherd who went away seventeen years before is a great man. So sometimes men are brought back to be buried among the people who thought little of them while they lived. (Ill. the funeral of Cobden in the Sussex village, &c.)
. (J. G. Gray.)
Sermons from saintly death-beds:
Jacob did not yield up the ghost until he had delivered the last sentence of admonition and benediction to his twelve sons. He was immortal till his work was done. So long as God had another sentence to speak by him, death could not paralyse his tongue.
Yet, after all, the strong man was bowed down, and he who had journeyed with unwearied foot full many a mile, was now obliged to gather up his feet into the bed to die. From the wording of the text, it appears very clearly that Israel did not dispute the irrevocable decree, nor did his soul murmur against it. He had long before learned that few and evil were his days, and now that they came to an end, he joyfully accepted their conclusion. It is remarkable that the Holy Spirit has given us very few death-bed scenes in the Book of God. We have very few in the Old Testament, fewer still in the New, and I take it that the reason may be because the Holy Ghost would have us take more account of how we live than how we die, for life is the main business. He who learns to die daily while he lives, will find it no difficulty to breathe out his soul for the last time into the hands of his faithful Creator. If we fight well the battle, we may rest assured of the victory.
I. First, THE DEPARTURES OF GODS SAINTS, AND ESPECIALLY OF HIS MINISTERS–WHAT ARE THEIR LESSONS?
1. The first that lies upon the surface, is this, Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh. When in the forest there is heard the crash of a falling oak, it is a sign that the woodman is abroad, and every tree in the whole company may tremble lest soon the sharp edge of the axe should find it out.
2. Secondly, the deaths of righteous men should teach us their value. According to the old saying, we never know the value of things till we lose them. I am sure it is so with holy men. Let me urge young people here to prize their aged godly parents, to treat them kindly, to make their last days happy, because they cannot expect to have them long on earth to receive their tokens of affectionate gratitude.
3. Furthermore, I think the departures of great saints and those who have been eminent, teach us to pray earnestly to God to send us more of such–a lesson which, I am quite certain, needs to be inculcated often. There is sadly little prayer in the church for the rising ministry.
4. Yet there is a valuable truth on the other side. We desire always to look at both sides of a question. The taking away of eminent saints from among us should teach us to depend more upon God, and less upon human instrumentality. I was reading, yesterday, the dying prayer of Oliver Cromwell, and one sentence in that man of Gods last breathings pleased me exceedingly. It was to this effect, Teach those who look too much upon Thy instruments to depend more upon Thyself. The Lord would have all the glory given unto His own name.
5. Coming back, however, to the old thought, do you not think that the departure of eminent saints should teach each one of us to work with more earnestness and perseverance while we are spared? One soldier the less in the battle, my brethren; then you must fill up the vacancy; you who stand next in the ranks must close up, shoulder to shoulder, that there be no gap. Here is one servant the less in the house: the other servants must do the more work. It is but natural for us so to argue, because we wish the Masters work to be done, and it will not be done without hands.
II. Come with me to the second part of my discourse. Much may be learned from the MODE OF DEPARTURE of Gods servants.
1. To some of Gods own children the dying bed is a Bochim, a place of weeping. It is melancholy when such is the case, and yet it is often so with those who have been negligent servants: they are saved, but so as by fire; they struggle into the port of peace, but their entrance is like that of a weather-beaten vessel which has barely escaped the storm, and enters into harbour so terribly leaking as to be ready to founder, without her cargo, for she has thrown that overboard to escape the waves, sails rent to ribands, masts gone by the board, barely able to keep afloat. Many a dying pillow has been wet with the penitential tears of saints, who have then fully seen their formerly unobserved shortcomings and failures and laxities in the family, in the business, in the church, and in the world. Brethren, it is beautiful to see the repentance of a dying saint; travel far as you may, you will not readily behold a more comely spectacle. Yet at the sight; of such instances it has struck me that the fruit though precious was scarcely seasonable; it must be acceptable to God, for He never rejects repentance anywhere, but yet a brighter state of soul would have glorified Him more in dying moments. We regret to see mourning of soul as the most conspicuous feature in a departing brother, we desire to see joy and confidence clearly manifested at the last.
2. It has not unfrequently occurred that the dying scene has been to the Lords departing champions a battle, not perhaps by reason of any slips or shortcomings–far from it, for in some cases the conflict appeared to arise by very reason of their valour in the Lords service. Who among us would assert that Martin Luther failed to live up to the light and knowledge which he had received? So far as he knew the truth, I believe he most diligently followed it; beyond most men he was true to conscience, he knew comparatively little of the truth, but what he did know he maintained with all his heart, and soul, and strength; and yet it is exceedingly painful to read the record of Luthers last few days. Darkness was round about him, thick clouds and tempest enveloped his soul. At the last the sky cleared, but it is very evident that, among all the grim battles in which that mighty German fought and conquered, probably the most tremendous conflict of his life was at its close. Can we not guess the reason? Was it not because the devil knew him to be his worst enemy then upon the earth, and therefore hating him with the utmost power of infernal hate, and feeling that this was his last opportunity for assaulting him, he gathered up all his diabolical powers, and came in against him like a flood, thinking that mayhap he might at the last overcome the stout heart, and cow the valiant spirit! Only by Divine assistance did Luther win the victory, but win it he did. Is this form of departure to be altogether deprecated? I think not. Is it to be dreaded in some aspects, though not in others, for is it not a noble thing for the knight of the Cross to die in harness? a blessed thing for the Christian soldier to proceed at once from the battle fold to his eternal rest?
3. To many saints their departure has been a peaceful entrance into the fair haven of repose. The very weakest of Gods servants have frequently been happiest in their departing moments. John Bunyan, who had observed this fact, in the description of Mr. Feebleminds passage of the river, Here also I took notice of what was very remarkable; the water of that river was lower at this time than ever I saw it all my life. So he went over at last not much above wet-shod. Heavens mercy tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, and gives to babes no battle, because they have no strength for it: the lambs calmly rest on the bosom of Jesus, and breathe out their lives in the Shepherds arms. What encouragement this ought to be to you who are the tender ones among us I what cheering tidings for you who are weak in faith 1
4. Many of the saints have gone farther than this, for their death-beds have been pulpits. When Mr. Matthew Henry was dying, Mr. Illidge came to him, and he said, You have been used to take notice of the sayings of dying men; this is mine, A life spent in the service of God and in communion with Him, is the most pleasant life that any one can bye in the world. Well spoken! Our pulpits often lack force and power; men suppose that we speak but out of form and custom, but they do not suspect dying men of hypocrisy, nor think that they are driving a trade and following a profession. Hence the witness of dying saints has often become powerful to those who have stood around their couch; careless hearts have been impressed, slumbering consciences have been awakened, and children of God quickened to greater diligence by what they have heard.
5. And, brethren, we have known not unfrequent cases (nay, commonly this is the case) when the dying bed has become a Pisgah, from the top of which the saint has viewed his inheritance, while anon his couch has glowed on a sudden into the chariot–a flaming chariot such as that in which Elias was borne away to dwell with God. Saints have frequently been in such triumphant conditions of mind, that rapture and ecstacy are the only fit words in which to describe their state. If this be dying, said one, it is worth while living for the mere sake of dying. (C. H.Spurgeon.)
Jacobs debit and credit account
The struggle is over. Lifes record is completed. The sorrows of a hundred and forty-seven years, like the sufferings of the dying babe, come to an end. And now that the balance is struck, how stands the account? Debit: infirmities many; sins not a few; wrongs done to Esau; polygamy with its legacy of bickerings; partiality in the family; murmurings under the succession of distresses which his own conduct brought upon him. Credit: The early choice of Jehovah; habitual reliance upon Divine guidance; deep and abiding impressions of piety; an unquenchable faith in God; the approval of a conscience, which though not greatly enlightened was evidently sincere; a life marred by transgressions of deep moral turpitude, but remarkably exemplary for the rude age in which he lived. (J. S. Van Dyke.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 33. He gathered up his feet into the bed] It is very probable that while delivering these prophetic blessings Jacob sat upon the side of his bed, leaning upon his staff; and having finished, he lifted up his feet into the bed, stretched himself upon it, and expired!
And was gathered unto his people.] The testimony that this place bears to the immortality of the soul, and to its existence separate from the body, should not be lightly regarded. In the same moment in which Jacob is said to have gathered up his feet into the bed, and to have expired, it is added, and was gathered unto his people. It is certain that his body was not then gathered to his people, nor till seven weeks after; and it is not likely that a circumstance, so distant in point both of time and place, would have been thus anticipated, and associated with facts that took place in that moment. I cannot help therefore considering this an additional evidence for the immateriality of the soul, and that it was intended by the Holy Spirit to convey this grand and consolatory sentiment, that when a holy man ceases to live among his fellows, his soul becomes an inhabitant of another world, and is joined to the spirits of just men made perfect.
1. IT has been conjectured (See Clarke on Ge 37:9) that the eleven stars that bowed down to Joseph might probably refer to the signs of the Zodiac, which were very anciently known in Egypt, and are supposed to have had their origin in Chaldea. On this supposition Joseph’s eleven brethren answered to eleven of these signs, and himself to the twelfth. General Vallancy has endeavoured, in his Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis, vol. vi., part. ii., p. 343, to trace out the analogy between the twelve sons of Jacob and the twelve signs of the Zodiac, which Dr. Hales (Analysis, vol. ii., p. 165) has altered a little, and placed in a form in which it becomes more generally applicable. As this scheme is curious, many readers who may not have the opportunity of consulting the above works will be pleased to find it here. That there is an allusion to the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and probably to their ancient asterisms, may be readily credited; but how far the peculiar characteristics of the sons of Jacob were expressed by the animals in the Zodiac, is a widely different question.
1. RUBEN – “Unstable (rather pouring out) as waters” – the sign AQUARIUS, represented as a man pouring out waters from an urn.
2. SIMEON and LEVI – “The united brethren” the sign GEMINI or the Twins.
3. JUDAH – “The strong lion” – the sign LEO.
4. ASHER – “His bread shall be fat” – the sign VIRGO or the Virgin, generally represented as holding a full ear of corn.
5. ISSACHAR – “A strong ass” or ox, both used in husbandry – the sign TAURUS or the Bull.
6. and 7. DAN – “A serpent biting the horse’s heels” – Scorpio, the Scorpion. On the celestial sphere the Scorpion is actually represented as biting the heel of the horse of the archer Sagittarius; and Chelae, “his claws,” originally occupied the space of Libra.
8. JOSEPH – “His bow remained in strength” – the sign SAGITTARIUS, the archer or bowman; commonly represented, even on the Asiatic Zodiacs, with his bow bent, and the arrow drawn up to the head – the bow in full strength.
9. NAPHTALI – by a play on his name, taleh, the ram – the sign ARIES, according to the rabbins.
10. ZEBULUN – “A haven for ships” – denoted by CANCER, the crab.
11. GAD – “A troop or army” – reversed, dag, a fish – the sign PISCES.
12. BENJAMIN – “A ravening wolf” – CAPRICORN, which on the Egyptian sphere was represented by a goat led by Pan, with a wolf’s head.
What likelihood the reader may see in all this, I cannot pretend to say; but that the twelve signs were at that time known in Egypt and Chaldea, there can be little doubt.
2. We have now seen the life of Jacob brought to a close; and have carefully traced it through all its various fortunes, as the facts presented themselves in the preceding chapters. Isaac his father was what might properly be called a good man; but in strength of mind he appears to have fallen far short of his father Abraham, and his son Jacob. Having left the management of his domestic concerns to Rebekah his wife, who was an artful and comparatively irreligious woman, the education of his sons was either neglected or perverted. The unhappy influence which the precepts and example of his mother had on the mind of her son we have seen and deplored. Through the mercy of God Jacob outlived the shady part of his own character, and his last days were his brightest and his best. He had many troubles and difficulties in life, under which an inferior mind must have necessarily sunk; but being a worker together with the providence of God, his difficulties only served in general to whet his invention, and draw out the immense resources of his own mind. He had to do with an avaricious, procrastinating relative, as destitute of humanity as he was of justice. Let this plead something in his excuse. He certainly did outwit his father-in-law; and yet, probably, had no more than the just recompense of his faithful services in the successful issue of all his devices. From the time in which God favoured him with that wonderful manifestation of grace at Peniel, Ge 32:24-30, he became a new man. He had frequent discoveries of God before, to encourage him in journeys, secular affairs, c. but none in which the heart-changing power of Divine grace was so abundantly revealed. Happy he whose last days are his best! We can scarcely conceive a scene more noble or dignified than that exhibited at the deathbed of Jacob. This great man was now one hundred and forty-seven years of age; though his body, by the waste of time, was greatly enfeebled, yet with a mind in perfect vigour, and a hope full of immortality, he calls his numerous family together, all of them in their utmost state of prosperity, and gives them his last counsels, and his dying blessing. His declarations show that the secret of the Lord was with him, and that his candle shone bright upon his tabernacle. Having finished his work, with perfect possession of all his faculties, and being determined that while he was able to help himself none should be called in to assist, (which was one of the grand characteristics of his life,) he, with that dignity which became a great man and a man of God stretched himself upon his bed, and rather appears to have conquered death than to have suffered it. Who, seeing the end of this illustrious patriarch, can help exclaiming, There is none like the God of Jeshurun! Let Jacob’s God be my God! Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! Reader, God is still the same: and though he may not make thee as great as was Jacob, yet he is ready to make thee as good; and, whatever thy past life may have been, to crown thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies, that thy end also may be peace.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Commanding his sons, to wit, concerning the place of his burial. Whilst he was employed in that most solemn and religious work of blessing his children in the name and by the Spirit of God, he used as reverent a posture as his infirm body would permit, and therefore is supposed to sit upon his bedside with his feet hanging downwards. And when he had finished that great work, and wearied himself with so long speech delivered with a most raised and affected mind, he composed himself to rest, and waited for the comfortable approach of his death, which speedily followed it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
33. when Jacob had made an end ofcommanding his sonsIt is probable that he was supernaturallystrengthened for this last momentous office of the patriarch, andthat when the divine afflatus ceased, his exhausted powers givingway, he yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons,…. Had given all the proper directions and instructions concerning his interment in the land of Canaan: he gathered up his feet into the bed; on which he sat while he blessed his sons, and gave orders to them about his burial; but now he gathered up his feet into the bed, laid himself along, and composed himself in a proper posture to die. What authority the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem on Ge 49:21 had for saying this bed was a bed of gold, I know not:
and he yielded up the ghost; he expired, he died an easy death, without any pain or sickness: which Ben Melech says this phrase is expressive of. He died in the year of his age one hundred and forty seven, and not one hundred and forty four, as a Jewish chronologer t wrongly puts it, and in the year of the world 2315, and before Christ 1689, according to Bishop Usher u: and was gathered unto his people:
[See comments on Ge 49:29].
t Ganz. Tzemach David, par. 1. fol. 6. 2. u Annales Vet. Test. A. M. 2315.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
33. He gathered up his feet. The expression is not superfluous: because Moses wished thereby to describe the placid death of the holy man: as if he had said, that the aged saint gave directions respecting the disposal of his body, as easily as healthy and vigorous men are wont to compose themselves to sleep. And truly a wonderful vigor and presence of mind was necessary for him, when, while death was in his countenance, he thus courageously fulfilled the prophetic office enjoined upon him. And it is not to be doubted that such efficacy of the Holy Spirit manifested itself in him, as served to produce, in his sons, confidence in, and reverence for his prophecies. At the same time, however, it is proper to observe, that it is the effect of a good conscience, to be able to depart out of the world without terror. For since death is by nature formidable, wonderful torments agitate the wicked, when they perceive that they are summoned to the tribunal of God. Moreover, in order that a good conscience may lead us peacefully and quietly to the grave, it is necessary to rely upon the resurrection of Christ; for we then go willingly to God, when we have confidence respecting a better life. We shall not deem it grievous to leave this failing tabernacle, when we reflect on the everlasting abode which is prepared for us.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(33) He gathered up his feet into the bed.This seems to indicate that the events recorded in Genesis 48, 49 all took place at the same time. In Gen. 48:2 we read that Jacob strengthened himself for this great final effort, seating himself upon the bed and placing his feet upon the ground. (See Gen. 49:12.) And now that all was over, wearied with what must have sorely exercised both his feelings and his physical powers, he gathered himself together upon the bed, and probably soon afterwards peaceably passed away to his eternal rest.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
33. Gathered up his feet into the bed While uttering his prophecy he had strengthened himself and sat upon his bed, (comp . Gen 48:2😉 now he replaces his feet on the bed, and calmly breathes out his life .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 49:33. He gathered up his feet into the bed Jacob sat upon the bed’s side, with his feet upon the ground, while he pronounced these blessings; the Spirit of God having supported him during the time, in this posture. But having now nothing further to add, he drew his feet into the bed, and, leaning his head on his pillow, calmly expired, aged a hundred and forty-seven years; happy, and full of faith in his death.
Jacob was, in all respects, a distinguished person; a man of a good understanding, lively sense, and natural ability. The revelations with which God honoured him, were numerous and extraordinary. A readiness to foresee dangers, and a courage always prudent to conduct himself properly through them, were discernible in him. Born to greater things than Isaac, he raised himself by his own industry under the blessing of the Most High; and, in the space of twenty years, gained such possessions, as to be able to live in credit and reputation with the princes of his age. It is true, his life was full of many crosses; but the divine succours and revelations were sufficient to support and guide him, till he arrived at the heavenly Canaan.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 25:19 ; Act 7:60
REFLECTIONS
MARK the perfect man and behold the upright, (saith the Psalmist), for the end of that man is peace. Reader! think what an important thing it is to die well. What is to be performed but once should be well performed. For if we err here there is no repentance in the grave. LORD, grant, if it be thy holy will, that like the Patriarch I may be waiting while living for thy salvation: that when dying like him I may rejoice in the possession of it.
Let us take a parting look at the Patriarch Jacob while closing his history, and once more in him behold a lively type of the blessed JESUS. Before his birth, like the Patriarch, was he not chosen to be the father of many nations? Did he not in a yet more striking manner struggle in the womb with the elder Adam; and by fulfilling the covenant which he had broken, recover the birth-right for his people? In the great work of redemption, how was he driven from his father’s house, exposed to all the horrors of the wilderness, and made the subject of temptations? For the love he bore his Church, what a series of servitude did he not endure? Never, surely, could it be said of Israel, as of Israel’s GOD, with equal strength of reason, that which was torn of beasts was required of my hand; in the day I was consumed by drought, and of the frost by night. Blessed JESUS! in all things it behoveth thee that thou shouldst have the pre-eminence. May it be my portion to have thy person and gracious offices always in view, until in the dispensation of the fulness of times thou shalt gather together in one all things in thyself, both which are in heaven and which are on earth: and the whole multitude of thy people shall be gathered round thy throne in everlasting glory.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.
Ver. 33. He gathered up his feet. ] He quietly composed himself, as it were, to sleep in Jesus. He had stretched out himself before, saith Musculus, as well as he could, for reverence to the word of God, which he delivered, &c.
And was gathered unto his people.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
yielded up the ghost. The spirit going to God who gave it (Ecc 12:7. Num 16:22; Num 27:16).
gathered unto his people. Refers to body, as the previous gathering (Gen 49:33) refers to his feet. See on Gen 49:29. He was aged 147.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
had made: Gen 49:1, Gen 49:24-26, Jos 24:27-29, Heb 11:22
and yielded: Gen 49:29, Gen 15:5, Gen 25:8, Gen 25:17, Gen 35:29, Job 5:26, Job 14:10, Job 30:23, Ecc 12:7, Isa 57:1, Isa 57:2, Luk 2:29, Heb 11:13-16, Heb 12:23
Reciprocal: Num 20:24 – gathered Deu 32:50 – be gathered Jdg 2:10 – General Act 7:15 – died
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 49:33. And when Jacob had made an end of commanding of his sons He put himself in a posture for dying; having sat upon the bed-side to bless his sons, the spirit of prophecy bringing fresh oil to his expiring lamp, when that work was done, he gathered up his feet into the bed That he might lie along, not only as one patiently submitting to the stroke, but as one cheerfully composing himself to rest. He then freely resigned his spirit into the hand of God, the Father of spirits; he yielded up the ghost And his separated soul went to the assembly of the souls of the faithful, who, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; he was gathered to his people.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he {x} gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.
(x) By which is signified how quietly he died.