Genesis 49:20 kjv

Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

Genesis 49:20 nkjv

"Bread from Asher shall be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties.

Genesis 49:20 niv

"Asher's food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king.

Genesis 49:20 esv

"Asher's food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies.

Genesis 49:20 nlt

"Asher will dine on rich foods
and produce food fit for kings.

Genesis 49 verses

Genesis 49 20 Meaning

Genesis 49:20 speaks of Asher's future tribal destiny, foretelling extraordinary agricultural prosperity. It depicts their land as yielding abundant, high-quality sustenance, so rich that it produces not just ordinary food but delicacies suitable for royalty. This blessing highlights the tribe's inherent prosperity and their contribution of the finest provisions, consistent with the meaning of Asher's name, "happy" or "blessed."

Genesis 49 20 Context

Genesis chapter 49 contains Jacob's prophetic blessings and pronouncements over each of his twelve sons, just before his death. These pronouncements are not merely expressions of fatherly affection but divinely inspired insights into the future character and destiny of their respective tribes within the nation of Israel. Jacob's words serve as a blueprint for the geographical location, tribal characteristics, economic activities, and historical trajectories of each tribe. The blessings are part of the larger narrative of God establishing His covenant people, beginning with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Historically, these blessings set the stage for understanding the later developments in the books of Joshua, Judges, and the rest of Israelite history, as the tribes largely settled and developed in accordance with Jacob's words. For Asher, this prophecy foresees their settlement in a region renowned for its agricultural wealth.

Genesis 49 20 Word analysis

• Out of Asher (מֵאָשֵׁר, mē’āshēr):

  • Asher: The name means "happy," "blessed," or "fortunate." It derives from the root ’ashar (אשֶׁר). This blessing for abundance directly reflects the meaning of his name.
  • Significance: The tribal name itself prefigures its destiny of prosperity and the good fortune associated with a fertile territory.

• his bread (לַחְמוֹ, laḥmô):

  • Bread (לֶחֶם, lechem): While literally "bread," it is a broad term for food, provisions, or sustenance in general.
  • Significance: Denotes the fundamental means of livelihood. The quality of "bread" signifies the overall economic well-being.

• shall be fat (שְׁמֵנָה, shmēnāh):

  • Fat (שָׁמֵן, shamen): Refers to richness, abundance, and fertility. It suggests the quality and plentifulness of the produce. It contrasts with lean or scarcity.
  • Significance: Indicates luxuriant yields from a fertile land, far beyond mere sufficiency. This word points to the supreme quality of their agricultural output.

• and he shall yield (וְהוּא יִתֵּן, wəhū yittēn):

  • Yield (נָתַן, nathan): To give, present, provide, or produce. It implies a generous offering.
  • Significance: Suggests active production and contribution. Asher will be a source, not just a recipient.

• royal dainties (מַעֲדַנֵּי־מֶלֶךְ, ma‘adannê-méleḵ):

  • Dainties/Delicacies (מַעֲדַנִּים, ma‘adannîm): Rich, choice, exquisite food items.
  • Royal (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): Fit for a king.
  • Significance: This is the climax of the blessing, suggesting produce of exceptional quality, highly valued and esteemed, even by monarchs. It signifies their land produces luxury goods, possibly referring to fine olives, oil, or grapes from the coastal plains and valleys. This level of quality could also imply that the tribe of Asher would contribute significantly to the royal storehouses or offer tribute of the finest kind.

Genesis 49 20 Bonus section

The tribe of Asher eventually settled in a fertile region of northern Canaan, encompassing parts of modern-day Lebanon and Israel, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and extending into the plains and foothills of the Galilee. This area was renowned in antiquity for its olive groves, fine grains, and vineyards, perfectly aligning with Jacob's prophecy of "fat bread" and "royal dainties." Historically, the Asherites were known for producing high-quality olive oil, a staple and valuable export in the ancient world, fitting the description of luxury goods for royalty. Despite the material blessing, the tribe of Asher is mentioned in Judg 1:31 as failing to fully dispossess the inhabitants of their allotted territory (Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob). However, this failure did not negate the material prosperity indicated in Jacob's blessing. Later, Anna, the prophetess mentioned in the New Testament (Lk 2:36), was from the tribe of Asher, indicating the continuation of this tribal lineage into the time of Jesus, linking the ancient promises to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Genesis 49 20 Commentary

Genesis 49:20 paints a vibrant picture of Asher's destined prosperity, primarily rooted in agricultural abundance. Jacob's prophecy highlights the superior quality and sheer volume of the tribe's produce, reaching a level of luxury fit for royal consumption. This suggests that Asher would inhabit extremely fertile lands, enabling them to produce surplus that could serve the needs of kings and national elite. This blessing resonated with the geographical location eventually allotted to Asher in the fertile plains of the Galilee and along the Phoenician coast, known for rich soil and olive groves. The prophecy ties directly into Asher's name, signifying their blessed, happy, and prosperous lot within Israel. It implicitly points to God as the source of this bounty, contrasting with reliance on pagan fertility gods common in the region, affirming YHWH's sovereignty over nature's fruitfulness. This prophecy underscores God's providential care for His people, ensuring their physical sustenance and a taste of abundant life.