Genesis 49:12
New International Version
His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.

New Living Translation
His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

English Standard Version
His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

Berean Standard Bible
His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

King James Bible
His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

New King James Version
His eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth whiter than milk.

New American Standard Bible
“His eyes are dull from wine, And his teeth white from milk.

NASB 1995
“His eyes are dull from wine, And his teeth white from milk.

NASB 1977
“His eyes are dull from wine, And his teeth white from milk.

Legacy Standard Bible
His eyes are dark from wine, And his teeth white from milk.

Amplified Bible
“His eyes are darker and sparkle more than wine, And his teeth whiter than milk.

Christian Standard Bible
His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

American Standard Version
His eyes shall be red with wine, And his teeth white with milk.

Contemporary English Version
Your eyes are darker than wine, your teeth whiter than milk.

English Revised Version
His eyes shall be red with wine, And his teeth white with milk.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His eyes are darker than wine. His teeth are whiter than milk.

Good News Translation
His eyes are bloodshot from drinking wine, His teeth white from drinking milk.

International Standard Version
His eyes are darker than wine and his teeth whiter than milk."

Majority Standard Bible
His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

NET Bible
His eyes will be dark from wine, and his teeth white from milk.

New Heart English Bible
His eyes will be darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

Webster's Bible Translation
His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

World English Bible
His eyes will be red with wine, his teeth white with milk.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Red [are] eyes with wine, "" And white [are] teeth with milk!

Young's Literal Translation
Red are eyes with wine, And white are teeth with milk!

Smith's Literal Translation
The eyes flashing from wine, the teeth white from milk.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
His eyes are more beautiful than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

Catholic Public Domain Version
His eyes are more beautiful than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

New American Bible
His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

New Revised Standard Version
his eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
His eyes shall be radiant with wine, and his teeth white with milk?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
His eyes are more wine color than wine and his teeth are whiter than milk.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
His eyes shall be red with wine, And his teeth white with milk.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
His eyes shall be more cheering than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Blesses His Sons
11He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. 12His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk. 13Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.…

Cross References
Isaiah 63:1-3
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.

Revelation 19:13
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God.

Song of Solomon 5:10-16
My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. / His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven. / His eyes are like doves beside the streams of water, bathed in milk and mounted like jewels. ...

Matthew 26:27-29
Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. / This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. / I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

John 2:1-11
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ...

Revelation 1:14-15
The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.

Isaiah 55:1
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!

Joel 3:18
And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.

Amos 9:13
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, with which all the hills will flow.

Jeremiah 31:12
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish.

Deuteronomy 33:28
So Israel dwells securely; the fountain of Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine, where even the heavens drip with dew.

Proverbs 3:10
then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Isaiah 25:6
On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine.

Ezekiel 27:18
Because of your many products and your great wealth of goods, Damascus traded with you wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar,

Numbers 13:23
When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs.


Treasury of Scripture

His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Proverbs 23:29
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

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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.














His eyes are darker than wine
This phrase is part of Jacob's blessing to his sons, specifically to Judah, in Genesis 49. The imagery of eyes "darker than wine" suggests vitality, health, and perhaps a penetrating gaze. In ancient Near Eastern culture, wine was a symbol of abundance and prosperity. The comparison to wine may indicate Judah's future prosperity and strength. This imagery can also be seen as a metaphor for wisdom and discernment, qualities that would befit the tribe from which kings, including David and ultimately Jesus Christ, would come. The reference to wine connects to the Messianic prophecy of the scepter not departing from Judah, as wine is often associated with royalty and celebration in biblical texts.

and his teeth are whiter than milk
The mention of teeth "whiter than milk" conveys purity, health, and strength. In the ancient world, milk was a staple of the diet and a symbol of nourishment and sustenance. This imagery suggests that Judah will be a source of strength and sustenance for others. The whiteness of teeth can also imply a sense of beauty and attractiveness, which may symbolize the appealing nature of Judah's leadership and the eventual coming of the Messiah from this line. The purity and strength implied here can be seen as a type of Christ, who is often described in terms of purity and righteousness. The connection to milk also evokes the Promised Land, described as a land flowing with milk and honey, indicating the blessings and abundance that will come through Judah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob (Israel)
The patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel, who is giving his final blessings and prophecies to his sons in Genesis 49.

2. Judah
The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, to whom this specific blessing and prophecy is directed. Judah's lineage is significant as it leads to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ.

3. Egypt
The setting where Jacob and his family reside during the time of this blessing, having moved there during the famine under Joseph's provision.

4. Canaan
The Promised Land, which is the ultimate inheritance for Jacob's descendants, including the tribe of Judah.

5. Prophetic Blessing
The event of Jacob blessing his sons, which includes both immediate and future implications for the tribes of Israel.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of Abundance
The imagery of "eyes darker than wine" and "teeth whiter than milk" symbolizes abundance, health, and prosperity. This can remind believers of God's provision and blessings in their lives.

Lineage of Christ
Judah's blessing is a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. Understanding this lineage helps believers appreciate the continuity and faithfulness of God's promises throughout Scripture.

Spiritual Vitality
Just as Judah is described with vibrant imagery, Christians are called to exhibit spiritual vitality and purity in their lives, reflecting the character of Christ.

Prophetic Fulfillment
The blessings and prophecies in Genesis 49 encourage believers to trust in God's timing and sovereignty, knowing that His promises are fulfilled in His perfect plan.

Covenant Faithfulness
Jacob's blessings remind us of God's covenant faithfulness to His people, encouraging believers to remain faithful in their relationship with God.(12) His eyes shall be red with wine.--The word rendered red occurs only here, and is rendered in the Versions, bright, sparkling, and in the Vulg., beautiful. They also give the word rendered in our Version with a comparative force, which seems to be right: "His eyes shall be brighter than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk." The words do not refer to Judah's person, but describe the prosperity of his descendants, whose temporal welfare will show itself in their bright and healthy countenances.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
His eyes
עֵינַ֖יִם (‘ê·na·yim)
Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

are darker
חַכְלִילִ֥י (ḥaḵ·lî·lî)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2447: Darkly flashing, brilliant

than wine,
מִיָּ֑יִן (mî·yā·yin)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

and his teeth
שִׁנַּ֖יִם (šin·na·yim)
Noun - cd
Strong's 8127: A tooth, ivory, a cliff

are whiter
וּלְבֶן־ (ū·lə·ḇen-)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3836: White

than milk.
מֵחָלָֽב׃ (mê·ḥā·lāḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2461: Milk


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OT Law: Genesis 49:12 His eyes will be red with wine (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 49:11
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