“Judah, a lion’s cub;
With the prey, my son, you have gone high up [the mountain].
He stooped down, he crouched like a lion,
And like a lion—who dares rouse him? [Rev 5:5]
“The scepter [of royalty] shall not depart from Judah,
Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
Until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes,
And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples. [Num 24:17; Ps 60:7; Ezek 21:27]
“Tying his foal to the [strong] vine
And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,
He washes his clothing in wine [because the grapevine produces abundantly],
And his robes in the blood of grapes. [Is 63:1-3; Zech 9:9; Rev 19:11-16]
“His eyes are darker and sparkle more than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk.
¶“Zebulun shall dwell at the seashore;
And he shall be a haven (landing place) for ships,
And his flank shall be toward Sidon.
¶“Issachar is [like] a strong-boned donkey,
Crouching down between the sheepfolds.
“When he saw that the resting place was good
And that the land was pleasant,
He bowed his shoulder to bear [burdens],
And became a servant at forced labor.
¶“Dan shall judge his people,
As one of the tribes of Israel.
“Dan shall be a [venomous] serpent in the way,
A fanged snake in the path,
That bites the horse’s heels,
So that his rider falls backward.
“I wait for Your salvation, O LORD.
¶“As for Gad—a raiding troop shall raid him,
But he shall raid at their heels and assault them [victoriously].
¶“Asher’s food [supply] shall be rich and bountiful,
And he shall yield and deliver royal delights.
¶“Naphtali is a doe let loose, [a swift warrior,]
Which yields branched antlers (eloquent words).
¶“Joseph is a fruitful bough (a main branch of the vine),
A fruitful bough by a spring (a well, a fountain);
Its branches run over the wall [influencing others].
“The [skilled] archers have bitterly attacked and provoked him;
They have shot [at him] and harassed him.
“But his bow remained firm and steady [in the Strength that does not fail],
For his arms were made strong and agile
By the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob,
(By the name of the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), [Gen 48:15; Deut 32:4; Is 9:6; 49:26]
Bible App
Bible App for Kids
