Genesis 49: 22 Commentary
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Genesis 49 verse 22 is part of The Old
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Loading ...Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
2 Bible Commentaries on Genesis 49: 22
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1
No clue why “bough” is translated as son, vine, young calf, and ox in different translations. The Hebrew is just a straighfoward “ben” which is “son”. But no one anywhere has yet to provide an explanation for this word play.
By
Stephen
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Posted on:
1/26/2010 02:14 am 
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Here in Hebrew it seems to mean son of fruitfulness. Again, for branches, the Hebrew word means daughters. Fruitful son having many daughters running over the wall? It seems we do not get a clear meaning. The clue to intepreting this verse can be the reference to the well and the wall. We have references to “Daughters of Zion,” of Jerusalem, of Edom and for other nations. So the word “daughters” indicates nations. Josepph had two nations Ephraim and Mannaseh. Again, we also see that in terms of familly tree or list of descendants, the Hebrew uses the word with the meaning of “bough” “offshoot” etc (Isa.11:1,10; 37:32;jer. 33:15). It refers to a descendant. Joseph is like a bough that is by the well or spring.It is quite natural for him to be fruitful.(Ps.1:3) He had contant access to the divine life. He was dependant on God and feared him greatly. Moreover, it is difficult to climb a wall, it being steep. but the well watered branches can climb it. This in fact shows the life of Joseph, full of difficulties and distressed, but because “the Lord was with him” he was exhalted. He was successful and fruitful.
In any langauge, there are differnt meanings of the same word in different context. So also it is here in Hebrew. In fact,Genisis 49 has many verses having difficulties in translating them. This shows how difficult the task of translating the Bible (The Hebrew is an ancient language).The translator has to be faithful to the text and has to give a translation that clear in meaning. And different translators tries to bring out the meaning and message. Giving a literal translation may not always bring out the correct meaning. At the same time, the beauty of the original langauge should also be maintanined.