Genesis 49:23 kjv

The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

Genesis 49:23 nkjv

The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him.

Genesis 49:23 niv

With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility.

Genesis 49:23 esv

The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely,

Genesis 49:23 nlt

Archers attacked him savagely;
they shot at him and harassed him.

Genesis 49 verses

Genesis 49 23 Meaning

Genesis 49:23 concisely depicts the intense, sustained, and malicious opposition Joseph faced throughout a significant portion of his life. "The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him," portrays not only the deep personal anguish caused by his adversaries but also the consistent, targeted efforts to destroy him. It emphasizes the bitterness and hostility directed towards him by those who harbored deep envy and malice, specifically referring to the trials he endured from his brothers, Potiphar's wife, and the challenges of imprisonment. Despite these severe afflictions, the verse lays the foundation for understanding Joseph's later triumph and blessing, as described in the subsequent verses, ultimately pointing to God's preserving power amidst severe human evil.

Genesis 49 23 Context

Genesis chapter 49 records Jacob's prophetic blessings and pronouncements upon each of his twelve sons, just before his death. These pronouncements often reflect the past actions and character of the sons, while simultaneously foreshadowing the future destinies and characteristics of their tribal descendants in the nation of Israel. For Joseph, Jacob’s blessing is notably longer and more detailed than for many of his other sons, highlighting his unique suffering, steadfastness, and God's remarkable favor.

Verse 23 specifically anchors itself in Joseph's life story, recounted earlier in Genesis. His brothers' envy and hatred (Gen 37), his false accusation by Potiphar's wife (Gen 39), and subsequent unjust imprisonment illustrate the intense and prolonged adversity he faced. This verse summarizes those bitter experiences of betrayal, slander, and malicious intent. Jacob, with prophetic insight, reviews these trials, acknowledging the deep wounds inflicted upon Joseph before shifting to a declaration of God's mighty protection and blessing. It is crucial to understand that the "archers" here are metaphorical, representing the human agents of malice and opposition.

Genesis 49 23 Word analysis

• The archers (בַּעֲלֵי חִצִּים - ba'alei chitziym):

  • Word Level: Literally "masters of arrows" or "possessors of arrows." This phrase denotes skilled and capable adversaries who are expert in inflicting harm. Arrows symbolize quick, penetrating, and often concealed attacks. It implies that Joseph's enemies were deliberate, cunning, and effective in their efforts to undermine or destroy him.
  • Significance: The "archers" are not literal bowmen but metaphorical figures representing Joseph's adversaries, primarily his jealous brothers, Potiphar's treacherous wife, and potentially others who sought his downfall. Their skill signifies the potent and targeted nature of the attacks against him, rather than random misfortunes.

• have sorely grieved him (וַיְמָרְרֻהוּ - vaymoreruhu):

  • Word Level: From the Hebrew root marar (מָרַר), meaning "to be bitter," "to make bitter," "to deal bitterly with." The hiphil conjugation used here intensifies the meaning to "cause severe bitterness," "embitter," or "deal harshly with."
  • Significance: This indicates the profound emotional and psychological pain Joseph experienced. His trials were not merely inconveniences but caused deep anguish, sorrow, and a sense of injustice. It highlights the effect of the adversaries' actions on Joseph's inner state.

• and shot at him (וַיָּרֹבּוּ - vayrobu):

  • Word Level: From the root ravah (רָבָה), which primarily means "to multiply," "to become great," "to shoot (arrows) in great number." In the context of "archers," it strongly implies repeatedly firing arrows.
  • Significance: This verb emphasizes the persistence and multiplicity of the attacks. It was not a single event but a series of continuous, repeated assaults—false accusations, slander, betrayal, and plots—aimed at his destruction. It implies an unrelenting barrage of hostility.

• and hated him (וַיִּשְׂטְמֻהוּ - vayishtemuha):

  • Word Level: From the root satem (שָׂטַם), meaning "to hate," "to bear ill will against," "to persecute." This word denotes a deep, inveterate, and often active animosity.
  • Significance: This climactic word reveals the root motivation behind all the hostile actions. Joseph's enemies did not just oppose him; they harbored a deep-seated, malicious hatred that drove their desire to inflict harm and bring about his ruin. It goes beyond momentary anger to a settled, bitter resentment.

Words-group analysis:

• "The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:": This sequence vividly portrays the escalating intensity of the persecution Joseph endured.
  • "The archers" (the source and their nature as skilled enemies) -> "sorely grieved him" (the painful impact on Joseph) -> "shot at him" (the continuous, multiplying attacks) -> "and hated him" (the underlying, ultimate motive of deep animosity).
  • This progression moves from identifying the perpetrators, describing the effect on Joseph, illustrating the continuous nature of the attacks, and finally exposing the dark root of malicious hatred. It is a comprehensive summary of Joseph's protracted suffering, highlighting its bitterness, persistence, and malevolent origin. The repeated conjunction "and" links these increasingly aggressive actions, presenting them as a cumulative assault on Joseph's life and well-being.

Genesis 49 23 Bonus section

• Joseph as a Type of Christ: Joseph's experience of being hated, betrayed by his own people, suffering unjustly, and then rising to a position of power to save those who wronged him (and the world) serves as a poignant type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Jesus, too, was hated without cause, shot at with accusations, endured bitter suffering, and was eventually glorified to bring salvation to the world, including those responsible for His suffering.
• Divine Vindication: The preceding verse (Gen 49:22) speaks of Joseph's fruitfulness, implying God's blessing despite his adversaries. Verse 23 details the trials, and the verses following (24-26) dramatically reveal God's intervention and blessing upon Joseph. This pattern emphasizes that even when the "archers" prevail for a season, God's ultimate purpose and protection cannot be thwarted by human malice. His "bow abode in strength" (Gen 49:24) in contrast to the enemies' bows, showcasing His power and steadfastness for Joseph.
• The Bow as a Symbol: In ancient Near Eastern cultures and biblical symbolism, the bow is a powerful weapon signifying strength, warfare, and conquest. Its mention here amplifies the severity and skilled nature of the opposition against Joseph. However, as noted in the subsequent verse (Gen 49:24), Joseph's own "bow abode in strength," implying that divine strength enabled him to endure and overcome these potent attacks.

Genesis 49 23 Commentary

Genesis 49:23 distills the harrowing experiences of Joseph's early life into a succinct prophetic utterance, capturing the depth of his suffering due to human malice. The "archers" are the instruments of human depravity, embodying envy, treachery, and deceit, rather than literal bowmen. They represent his brothers' betrayal, Potiphar's wife's false accusations, and the injustice of imprisonment. These were not mere challenges but attacks designed to inflict bitter anguish, characterized by their persistent nature ("shot at him") and driven by deep-seated hatred.

Despite these severe trials, Joseph stands as a powerful testament to divine protection and perseverance. His experience demonstrates that God can, and often does, allow His chosen ones to endure intense suffering, not as abandonment, but as a part of a larger, redemptive plan. Joseph's ability to not only survive but thrive in the face of such adversity, ultimately forgiving his oppressors, speaks to a resilience born of divine grace. This verse underscores the reality of evil in the world but sets the stage for God's ultimate vindication and the transformation of intended evil into profound good for many, foreshadowed in Gen 50:20.