Knowing The Word in Genesis 49:13-19, And More Blessings

13 “Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon. [The tribe actually settled inland near Phoenicia, whose primary city was Sidon.]

14 “Issachar is a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds. 15 He saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant at forced labor. [Jacob predicts settlement in a fertile area of Canaan and there Issachar will be enslaved by the Canaanites.]

16 “Dan [meaning vindicated] shall judge [vindicate] his people as one of the tribes of Israel. [The most famous of the Danites is Samson in Judges, and this prophecy most likely finds its fulfilment there.] 17 Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse's heels so that his rider falls backward. 18 I wait for your salvation, O Lord. [Perhaps a prayer for Dan’s difficult future.]

19 “Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels. [The Gadites were famed for military prowess.]