ome even greater through his, so he blessed them, By you Israel, (Jacob) will invoke blessings, saying, god make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh. Jacob said he was about to die, but for god to remain with them and deliver them to the land of their ancestors. He then gave them a larger portion of what he took from the Amorites. Jacob then called all his sons and told them to gather around him so that he can tell them what will happen in days to come. For Reuben, being his firstborn, growing in power, shall no longer grow, because he lay with his fathers concubine, in the bed, defiling it, and even on the couch. He then addressed Simeon and Levi together, saying that they were weapons of violence, and that they are to be cursed for their fierce anger, cruel it is, and they are to be scattered in Israel. For Judah he foresaw peace and prosperity, and compares him to a lion, and he shall hold the scepter with his hands and the rulers staff at his feet, until tribute comes to him. Zebulun, Jacob said, shall settle on the shores of the sea, and a haven for ships he will be, with his border at Sidon. Issachar, being compared to a strong donkey, shall become a slave at forced labor. Dan shall be a judge and a snake, biting at the horses heels so that the rider may fall backwards. Gad shall suffer raids from others, but shall do the same unto them. Asher shall provide royal delicacies, his food being very rich. Naphtali is compared to a doe that bears lovely fawns. For Joseph, Jacob foresaw that he shall remain strong, by righteousness, and shall have his fathers strong blessings upon him. Finally, Benjamin, being compared to a ravenous wolf, shall eat the prey in the morning, and divvy the spoils of it in the evening. After this, Jacob said that he was about to die, and to bury him in the cave of Ephron the Hittite, the cave of Machpelah, where his ancestors were buried, near Mamre, in Canaan, in Ephrons field that Abraham bought from the Hi...
