Genesis 49:26
New International Version
Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

New Living Translation
May my fatherly blessings on you surpass the blessings of my ancestors, reaching to the heights of the eternal hills. May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph, who is a prince among his brothers.

English Standard Version
The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents, up to the bounties of the everlasting hills. May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.

Berean Standard Bible
The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

King James Bible
The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

New King James Version
The blessings of your father Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.

New American Standard Bible
“The blessings of your father Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors Up to the furthest boundary of the everlasting hills; May they be on the head of Joseph, And on the top of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.

NASB 1995
“The blessings of your father Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; May they be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.

NASB 1977
“The blessings of your father Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; May they be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.

Legacy Standard Bible
The blessings of your father Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; May they be on the head of Joseph, And on the top of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.

Amplified Bible
“The blessings of your father Are greater than the blessings of my ancestors [Abraham and Isaac] Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; They shall be on the head of Joseph, Even on the crown of the head of him who was the distinguished one and the one who is prince among (separate from) his brothers.

Christian Standard Bible
The blessings of your father excel the blessings of my ancestors and the bounty of the ancient hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The blessings of your father excel the blessings of my ancestors and the bounty of the eternal hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the prince of his brothers.

American Standard Version
The blessings of thy father Have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors Unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Contemporary English Version
My son, the blessings I give are better than the promise of ancient mountains or eternal hills. Joseph, I pray these blessings will come to you, because you are the leader of your brothers.

English Revised Version
The blessings of thy father Have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors Unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the oldest mountains and the riches of the ancient hills. May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the prince among his brothers.

Good News Translation
Blessings of grain and flowers, Blessings of ancient mountains, Delightful things from everlasting hills. May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph, On the brow of the one set apart from his brothers.

International Standard Version
Your father's blessings will prove to be stronger than blessings from the eternal mountains or bounties from the everlasting hills. May they come to rest on Joseph's head, May they be set upon the brow of the one who was separated from his own brothers."

Majority Standard Bible
The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

NET Bible
The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the eternal mountains or the desirable things of the age-old hills. They will be on the head of Joseph and on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

New Heart English Bible
The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, and the bounty of the everlasting hills. They will be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

Webster's Bible Translation
The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

World English Bible
The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my ancestors, above the boundaries of the ancient hills. They will be on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of him who is separated from his brothers.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Your father’s blessings have been mighty "" Above the blessings of my progenitors, "" To the limit of the perpetual heights "" They are for the head of Joseph, "" And for the crown of the one "" Separate [from] his brothers.

Young's Literal Translation
Thy father's blessings have been mighty Above the blessings of my progenitors, Unto the limit of the heights age-during They are for the head of Joseph, And for the crown of the one Separate from his brethren.

Smith's Literal Translation
The blessings of thy father were strong above the blessings of the everlasting mountains; the delight of the eternal hills, they shall be upon the head of Joseph and upon the crown of the head of him separated from his brethren.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The blessings of thy father are strengthened with the blessings of his fathers: until the desire of the everlasting hills should come; may they be upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the Nazarite among his brethren.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The blessings of your father are strengthened by the blessings of his fathers, until the desire of the hills of eternity shall arrive. May they be at the head of Joseph, and at the summit of the Nazarite, among his brothers.

New American Bible
the blessings of fresh grain and blossoms, the blessings of the everlasting mountains, the delights of the eternal hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

New Revised Standard Version
The blessings of your father are stronger than the blessings of the eternal mountains, the bounties of the everlasting hills; may they be on the head of Joseph, on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my forbears to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; they shall be on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of him who is the prince of his brothers.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The blessing of your father prevailed over the blessings of my forefathers unto the hope of the hills of eternity; let them be on the head of Yoseph and on the head and crown of his brothers.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The blessings of thy father Are mighty beyond the blessings of my progenitors Unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of the prince among his brethren.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the blessings of thy father and thy mother - it has prevailed above the blessing of the lasting mountains, and beyond the blessings of the everlasting hills; they shall be upon the head of Joseph, and upon the head of the brothers of whom he took the lead.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Blesses His Sons
25by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above, with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb. 26The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers. 27Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:13-16
Concerning Joseph he said: “May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath, / with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons, / with the best of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills, ...

Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 133:2
It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.

Isaiah 61:9
Their descendants will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.

Isaiah 65:23
They will not labor in vain or bear children doomed to disaster; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD—they and their descendants with them.

Ezekiel 34:26
I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season—showers of blessing.

Ezekiel 37:25
They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live there forever with their children and grandchildren, and My servant David will be their prince forever.

Hosea 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Zechariah 8:12
“For the seed will be prosperous, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will yield its produce, and the skies will give their dew. To the remnant of this people I will give all these things as an inheritance.

John 1:16
From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

Romans 15:29
I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,


Treasury of Scripture

The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brothers.

have prevailed.

Genesis 27:27-29,39,40
And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: …

Genesis 28:3,4
And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; …

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

everlasting hills.

Deuteronomy 33:15
And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,

Psalm 89:36
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

Isaiah 54:10
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

they shall.

Deuteronomy 33:16
And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

Psalm 132:18
His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

was separate.

Genesis 37:28
Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Numbers 6:2
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:

Psalm 105:17-22
He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: …

Jump to Previous
Age-Old Ancestors Ancient Blessings Bound Boundaries Crown Distinguished Eternal Everlasting Father's Fruit Head Hills Joseph Limit Mighty Mountains Prevailed Prince Progenitors Rest Separate Separated Surpass Surpassed Utmost Young
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Age-Old Ancestors Ancient Blessings Bound Boundaries Crown Distinguished Eternal Everlasting Father's Fruit Head Hills Joseph Limit Mighty Mountains Prevailed Prince Progenitors Rest Separate Separated Surpass Surpassed Utmost Young
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.














The blessings of your father
This phrase refers to the blessings that Jacob, as a patriarch, bestows upon his son Joseph. In Hebrew, "blessings" is "berakhot," which signifies not only material prosperity but also spiritual favor and divine grace. Jacob's blessings are deeply rooted in the covenantal promises given to Abraham and Isaac, emphasizing the continuity of God's faithfulness through generations.

have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains
The "ancient mountains" symbolize strength, stability, and timelessness. In Hebrew, "ancient" is "kedem," which can also mean "eternal" or "from the beginning." This suggests that the blessings Jacob speaks of are not only abundant but also enduring, surpassing even the most ancient and stable elements of creation. The mountains often represent God's eternal nature and His unchanging promises.

the bounty of the everlasting hills
The "bounty" here refers to the richness and fertility that come from God. The Hebrew word "bounty" is "ta'awah," which can mean desire or delight, indicating that these blessings are both abundant and deeply satisfying. The "everlasting hills" further emphasize the perpetual and unending nature of God's provision, drawing a parallel to the eternal hills that stand as a testament to God's creation.

May they rest on the head of Joseph
This phrase signifies the bestowal of blessings upon Joseph, who is often seen as a type of Christ in Christian theology. The Hebrew word for "rest" is "tanuach," which implies a settling or dwelling, suggesting that these blessings are meant to remain with Joseph, providing him with divine favor and protection. Joseph's life, marked by trials and triumphs, exemplifies the fulfillment of God's promises despite adversity.

on the brow of the prince of his brothers
Joseph is referred to as the "prince," highlighting his leadership and preeminence among his brothers. The Hebrew word "nazir" can mean prince or consecrated one, indicating Joseph's special status and divine appointment. This phrase underscores the theme of God's sovereign choice and the elevation of the humble, as Joseph rises from slavery to become a ruler in Egypt, foreshadowing the ultimate kingship of Christ.

(26) The blessings of thy father.--As the passage now stands, it means that the blessings which Jacob bestows upon Joseph are greater than those which he had himself received from his ancestors, Abraham and Isaac. This was scarcely the case, as the chief spiritual blessing was bestowed upon Judah, while for Joseph there was only earthly prosperity. For this reason most modern commentators adopt the reading of the Samaritan Pentateuch, supported by the Samaritan Targum and the LXX., "The blessings of thy father are mightier than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the desire (or beauty) of the everlasting hills." Not only is the parallelism of the poetry thus preserved, but the rendering is easy and natural, while the other translation is full of difficulties, especially as to the words, "my progenitors," and "the utmost bound." The sense thus given to them cannot be obtained by any ordinary philological process.

Him that was separate from his brethren.--This scarcely gives the force of the verb, which means, set apart, consecrated. Hence the Vulg. renders "Nazarite," the Hebrew word being nezir. The Syriac and Samaritan Targum translate, "him that is the crown of his brethren;" and the LXX., "him who was the leader of his brethren." Many see in this an allusion to the sovereignty over the ten tribes being finally attained to by Ephraim, but probably the meaning is that Joseph was the noblest and highest in rank among Jacob's children.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The blessings
בִּרְכֹ֣ת (bir·ḵōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1293: Benediction, prosperity

of your father
אָבִ֗יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

have surpassed
גָּֽבְרוּ֙ (gā·ḇə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1396: To be strong, to prevail, act insolently

the blessings
בִּרְכֹ֣ת (bir·ḵōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1293: Benediction, prosperity

of the ancient mountains
הוֹרַ֔י (hō·w·ray)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2029: To conceive, become pregnant

and the bounty
תַּאֲוַ֖ת (ta·’ă·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8379: A limit, full extent

of the everlasting
עוֹלָ֑ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

hills.
גִּבְעֹ֣ת (giḇ·‘ōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1389: A hillock

May they rest
תִּֽהְיֶ֙ין֙‪‬ (tih·yen)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

on the head
לְרֹ֣אשׁ (lə·rōš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of Joseph,
יוֹסֵ֔ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

on the brow
וּלְקָדְקֹ֖ד (ū·lə·qā·ḏə·qōḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6936: Head, crown of the head

of the prince
נְזִ֥יר (nə·zîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5139: Nazirite -- one consecrated, devoted

of his brothers.
אֶחָֽיו׃ (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )


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OT Law: Genesis 49:26 The blessings of your father have prevailed (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 49:25
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