17 Dan(A) will be a snake by the roadside,
    a viper along the path,(B)
that bites the horse’s heels(C)
    so that its rider tumbles backward.

18 “I look for your deliverance,(D) Lord.(E)

19 “Gad[a](F) will be attacked by a band of raiders,
    but he will attack them at their heels.(G)

20 “Asher’s(H) food will be rich;(I)
    he will provide delicacies fit for a king.(J)

21 “Naphtali(K) is a doe set free
    that bears beautiful fawns.[b](L)

22 “Joseph(M) is a fruitful vine,(N)
    a fruitful vine near a spring,
    whose branches(O) climb over a wall.[c]
23 With bitterness archers attacked him;(P)
    they shot at him with hostility.(Q)
24 But his bow remained steady,(R)
    his strong arms(S) stayed[d] limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,(T)
    because of the Shepherd,(U) the Rock of Israel,(V)

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 49:19 Gad sounds like the Hebrew for attack and also for band of raiders.
  2. Genesis 49:21 Or free; / he utters beautiful words
  3. Genesis 49:22 Or Joseph is a wild colt, / a wild colt near a spring, / a wild donkey on a terraced hill
  4. Genesis 49:24 Or archers will attack … will shoot … will remain … will stay

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