Genesis 49:7 kjv

Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

Genesis 49:7 nkjv

Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel.

Genesis 49:7 niv

Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.

Genesis 49:7 esv

Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Genesis 49:7 nlt

A curse on their anger, for it is fierce;
a curse on their wrath, for it is cruel.
I will scatter them among the descendants of Jacob;
I will disperse them throughout Israel.

Genesis 49 verses

Genesis 49 7 Meaning

This verse conveys Jacob's stern judgment on Simeon and Levi, declaring a curse upon their fierce and cruel anger demonstrated in their excessive revenge at Shechem (Gen 34). It prophesies their dispersion among the other tribes of Israel, rather than inheriting a cohesive, independent tribal territory. This outcome prevents them from forming a united, violent power block within the burgeoning nation.

Genesis 49 7 Context

Genesis 49 is a significant prophetic passage where Jacob, on his deathbed, pronounces blessings and judgments over his twelve sons, foreshadowing the destinies and characteristics of their respective tribes in the future land of Israel. These pronouncements are not merely personal wishes but divine revelations spoken through Jacob, shaping the trajectory of the nation.

The immediate context for Simeon and Levi's prophecy is their brutal and deceptive massacre of the men of Shechem (Genesis 34). After their sister Dinah was defiled by Shechem, son of Hamor, Simeon and Levi, in their rage, demanded all the men of Shechem be circumcised. While the men were recovering, weakened by the circumcision, Simeon and Levi mercilessly slew every male, plundered the city, and took captive their women and children. Jacob, distraught by their violent actions and concerned about the family's reputation, had condemned their deeds at the time (Gen 34:30) and now, on his deathbed, reasserts his disapproval, binding a future consequence to their past actions.

Genesis 49 7 Word analysis

• "Cursed" (אָרוּר, arur): This term signifies strong condemnation and a pronouncement of separation from divine favor. It's important to note Jacob curses their anger and wrath, not the sons themselves directly as individuals for eternal condemnation, but the sinful disposition and the actions stemming from it. This indicates severe divine disapproval.

• "be their anger" (אַף, aph): Literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," aph metaphorically denotes the hot, sudden exhalation associated with a burst of wrath or fury. It implies a volatile, passionate, and often uncontrolled temperament. Jacob denounces the nature of their rage.

• "for it is fierce" (עָז, az): This adjective means "strong, mighty, severe, violent, ruthless." It emphasizes the untamed and potent nature of their anger, highlighting its destructive force and the lack of moral restraint behind their actions in Shechem.

• "and their wrath" (עֶבְרָה, evrah): This term signifies an "overflowing" or "rushing forth" of emotion, often denoting intense, uncontrolled fury and indignation that leads to violent outbursts. It describes a deeper, more enduring rage than aph, capable of cruel and persistent action.

• "for it is cruel" (קָשָׁה, qashah): Meaning "hard, severe, difficult, cruel, obstinate." This word highlights the merciless, unyielding, and pitiless nature of the brothers' actions. Their wrath was not just strong; it was without compassion or clemency.

• "I will divide them in Jacob": This phrase prophesies a territorial and political splintering for the tribes of Simeon and Levi within the Israelite nation. "Divide" (from חָלַק, halaq, "to divide, portion out") implies a lack of consolidated land and power. Jacob, acting prophetically, asserts his role in this divine arrangement.

• "and scatter them in Israel": This reinforces the concept of dispersion. "Scatter" (from פּוּץ, putz, "to scatter, disperse") indicates that they would not have a contiguous, unified land base but would be dispersed amongst the other tribes. "In Jacob" and "in Israel" emphasize that this scattering would be within their own nation, not into foreign lands, keeping them connected but without dominant independent territories.

Genesis 49 7 Bonus section

• A Patriarchal Prophecy's Authority: Jacob's words in Genesis 49 are more than a dying father's admonition; they carry prophetic authority, revealing God's will and shaping the tribal destinies, highlighting the seriousness with which God views acts of uncontrolled vengeance.
• Divergent Fates from a Shared Curse: The different outworkings of the "curse" for Simeon and Levi—Simeon’s gradual absorption and decline, Levi’s elevated, sanctified dispersion—demonstrate the dynamic nature of biblical prophecy, where human choices and divine intervention can influence the manner of fulfillment while the core pronouncement remains.
• Contrast with Righteous Anger: This passage provides a biblical negative example of anger. While God himself expresses righteous anger, human anger often stems from sin, pride, or unchecked desire for vengeance, leading to destructive outcomes, unlike the just wrath of God (Ps 7:11).
• Divine Control Over Human Actions: Jacob’s declaration, "I will divide them... and scatter them," implies God's ultimate sovereignty over the destinies of men and tribes, even in the consequences of their sin. He orchestrates events to fulfill His broader redemptive plan.

Genesis 49 7 Commentary

Genesis 49:7 is a pronouncement of profound significance for the future of the tribes of Simeon and Levi. Jacob curses not the individuals, but the uncontrolled and violent quality of their anger and wrath, specifically remembering the deceitful massacre at Shechem. The consequence for their bloodthirsty actions is decreed: they will be "divided" and "scattered" within the land of Israel.

Historically, this prophecy manifested differently for the two tribes. Simeon's tribe dwindled in size and strength, eventually receiving its inheritance as enclaves within the larger territory of Judah, losing its distinct tribal identity over time. They did not gain independent tribal power and were indeed dispersed.

Levi's destiny, however, is a remarkable example of divine sovereignty turning judgment into privilege through repentance and faithfulness. While still geographically "scattered" among the other tribes (living in Levitical cities, not receiving a cohesive territory), their dispersion became their role and blessing. This transformation occurred due to their zeal for the Lord at Mount Sinai when they alone stood with Moses against the idolatry of the golden calf (Exod 32:26-29) and Phinehas' later righteous act (Num 25). Their lack of a land inheritance became a dedication to God as priests and teachers of the Law for all Israel, living on the tithes and offerings of the people. Thus, a curse of division became the mechanism of a divine calling, enabling them to serve the entire nation spiritually.

This verse therefore powerfully illustrates that sin has consequences, but it also hints at God's capacity for redemption and repurposing of circumstances, particularly when His people turn to Him in obedience and zeal. The fierce and cruel anger Jacob condemns is a stark reminder of humanity's sinful nature and the destructive power of uncontrolled passion.