Genesis 49:11 kjv

Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

Genesis 49:11 nkjv

Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey's colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes.

Genesis 49:11 niv

He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

Genesis 49:11 esv

Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes.

Genesis 49:11 nlt

He ties his foal to a grapevine,
the colt of his donkey to a choice vine.
He washes his clothes in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.

Genesis 49 verses

Genesis 49 11 Meaning

Genesis 49:11 is a prophetic declaration concerning the tribe of Judah, foretelling a time of extraordinary agricultural prosperity and abundance, particularly in vineyards and wine. It paints a picture of such overwhelming fruitfulness that wine becomes as common as water, to the point of being used for washing garments. This opulent imagery foreshadows the glorious and rich blessings associated with Judah's leadership and the ultimate reign of the Messiah, who would spring from this lineage.

Genesis 49 11 Context

Genesis chapter 49 records Jacob's final prophetic blessings and pronouncements upon each of his twelve sons before his death. These blessings are not merely wishes but divinely inspired foretellings of the tribes' future characteristics, roles, and destinies in the land of Canaan. Judah's blessing, found in verses 8-12, stands out for its length, detail, and explicit Messianic implications. Preceding Gen 49:11, verse 10 speaks of the scepter not departing from Judah until "Shiloh" (often interpreted as the Messiah) comes, establishing Judah's lasting royal authority. Verse 11 then describes the lavish abundance and prosperity that would characterize Judah, aligning with and amplifying the promise of a glorious future under the reign of this royal lineage. Historically, Judah's territory, particularly in the fertile Shephelah and hill country, became known for its vineyards, embodying this prophetic description.

Genesis 49 11 Word analysis

• He binds: (Hebrew: אֹסֵר, o'ser). This verb means "to tie, bind, harness." It suggests a routine action, indicating that this abundance is not an exception but a constant state where one can readily tie valuable animals (like a foal or colt) to even more valuable objects like a vine, without concern for damage or loss.
• his foal: (Hebrew: עִירֹו, 'iro). Refers to a young male donkey or donkey colt. Donkeys were common, humble beasts of burden, but their association with Messianic entry (Zec 9:9, Matt 21:5) later provides symbolic depth. Here, it signifies ease and unhurried prosperity.
• to the vine: (Hebrew: לַגֶּפֶן, la'gef-en). The grapevine. In the Bible, the vine is a prominent symbol for Israel (Psa 80:8, Isa 5:7) and later for Christ Himself (Jn 15:1). Its presence here highlights the source of Judah's primary agricultural wealth.
• and his donkey’s colt: (Hebrew: וְלִבְנִי אֲתֹנֹו, ve'liv'ni a'tono). Literally, "and to the son of his she-donkey." This repetition emphasizes the young animal, possibly the choicest of its kind, signifying the ultimate and unrestricted nature of this abundance.
• to the choicest vine: (Hebrew: לַשֹּׂרֵקָה, lash-sore-kah). Refers to a special, high-quality, noble, or red-producing vine, known for superior fruit (Isa 5:2). This signifies an extraordinary quality of abundance, not just quantity.
• He washes: (Hebrew: כִּבֵּס, kibbes). To launder, full, wash clothes. The shocking image is the medium used for washing. This highlights a level of extravagance and superfluity unimaginable under normal circumstances.
• his garments: (Hebrew: לְבוּשֹׁו, le'vu'sho). General term for clothing, vestments. Represents a person's status, identity, and the outer display of their life.
• in wine: (Hebrew: בַּיַּיִן, bai'yayin). In fermented grape juice. To use wine for washing is hyperbole, depicting wine as being as freely available and common as water. It speaks to extreme and luxurious wealth.
• and his vesture: (Hebrew: וְסוּתֹה, ve'su'to). A broad term for clothing or an outer cloak/robe. Parallel to "garments," reinforcing the idea of all his attire.
• in the blood of grapes: (Hebrew: בְּדַם עֲנָבִים, be'dam anavim). A poetic idiom for deep red wine (Deut 32:14). It refers to the rich, deep color of wine that stains and saturates, vividly portraying an overwhelming abundance of the highest quality wine. This phrase, combined with "washing," can also subtly foreshadow the garments of the Messiah dipped in blood (Rev 19:13), but in the context of Gen 49, it primarily refers to the literal richness of wine.

Words-group analysis:

• "He binds his foal to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choicest vine": This phrase uses imagery of unprecedented agricultural abundance. Ordinarily, one would never tie an animal to a valuable vine due to the risk of damage. The act signifies such an overabundance of vineyards and wine that a vineyard is the most convenient place to tie even valuable animals, implying that vineyards are everywhere and their produce is boundless. The specific mention of "choicest vine" underscores the quality of this wealth.
• "He washes his garments in wine, and his vesture in the blood of grapes": This represents the ultimate hyperbole of luxurious abundance. Wine, a precious commodity, is depicted as being as ubiquitous and cheap as water. It's so plentiful that it can be used for mundane tasks like washing clothes, suggesting a wealth beyond measure, flowing freely from Judah's territory. The "blood of grapes" reinforces the richness and deep color of this abundant wine.

Genesis 49 11 Bonus section

The image of Judah's king riding on a donkey, as suggested by the humble "foal," links to Zechariah 9:9 and its fulfillment in Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21:5). While Gen 49:11 focuses on prosperity, this underlying symbolism hints at the humility that would precede the glorious, abundant reign. The "blood of grapes" may also carry an indirect premonition for Christian readers of the shedding of Christ's blood as the true new wine of the covenant, bringing ultimate spiritual abundance, albeit a concept fully revealed later in scripture. Judah's territory was indeed well-suited for viticulture, known for its extensive vineyards, which partially realized this prophecy during periods of peace and prosperity in ancient Israel.

Genesis 49 11 Commentary

Genesis 49:11 serves as a profound poetic illustration of the unparalleled prosperity that would characterize the tribe of Judah. Building upon the Messianic promise in the preceding verse, this verse describes a Golden Age of fruitfulness under the coming ruler from Judah. The image of binding a donkey's colt to the finest vines suggests an environment where valuable animals can freely roam amidst even more valuable vineyards without concern for their preservation, so pervasive and productive are the vines. The shocking hyperbole of washing garments in wine—specifically the "blood of grapes," referring to the richest, darkest wine—emphasizes not only the sheer quantity but also the premium quality of the yield. This prophetic extravagance highlights the glory, peace, and material blessing that would be a hallmark of Judah's heritage, ultimately fulfilled in the spiritual and physical abundance of the Kingdom established by the true "Lion of Judah," Jesus the Messiah. This verse portrays a tangible manifestation of divine favor upon Judah, echoing the lavish provisions that define the ultimate reign of God's chosen king.