The Meaning of Genesis 49:5 Explained

Genesis 49:5

KJV: Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.

YLT: Simeon and Levi are brethren! Instruments of violence -- their espousals!

Darby: Simeon and Levi are brethren: Instruments of violence their swords.

ASV: Simeon and Levi are brethren; Weapons of violence are their swords.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Simeon  and Levi  [are] brethren;  instruments  of cruelty  [are in] their habitations. 

What does Genesis 49:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 49:1-13 - Jacob Foretells The Future Of His Sons
Once more Joseph visited his father's dying-bed. This was the third time and the last. He stood as one of twelve strong bearded men, gathered around the aged form, whose face was shadowed by death, but aglow with the light of prophecy. How intense their silent awe as they heard their names called one by one, by the old man's trembling voice, speaking with difficulty! The character of each was delineated with unerring insight: the outstanding incidents of their past history enumerated and their future forecasted. The scene was an anticipation of the final judgment, where men shall hear their lives reviewed and the sentence passed. Shiloh means Peace-Giver. What a fragrant name for our Lord! What wonder that He shall gather the nations to His cross and throne! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 49

1  Jacob calls his sons to bless them
3  Their blessing in particular
29  He charges them about his burial
33  He dies

What do the individual words in Genesis 49:5 mean?

Simeon and Levi [are] brothers Instruments of violence [are] their swords
שִׁמְע֥וֹן וְלֵוִ֖י אַחִ֑ים כְּלֵ֥י חָמָ֖ס מְכֵרֹתֵיהֶֽם

שִׁמְע֥וֹן  Simeon 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: שִׁמְעֹון  
Sense: the 2nd son of Jacob by his wife Leah and progenitor of the tribe of Simeon.
וְלֵוִ֖י  and  Levi  [are] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֵוִי 
Sense: the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah and progenitor of tribe of Levites.
אַחִ֑ים  brothers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
כְּלֵ֥י  Instruments 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: כְּלִי  
Sense: article, vessel, implement, utensil.
חָמָ֖ס  of  violence  [are] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חָמָס  
Sense: violence, wrong, cruelty, injustice.
מְכֵרֹתֵיהֶֽם  their  swords 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: מְכֵרָה  
Sense: swords, weapons, devices.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 49:5?

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