Genesis 49:22-26
“Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.”
King James Version
Joseph's tribe (Ephraim and Manasseh) predicted to be abundantly fruitful and to extend beyond borders.
Fulfillment References
Psalm 118:22 1 Peter 2:6-7
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalJacob blesses Joseph as 'a fruitful bough,' whose strength is from 'the mighty God of Jacob; from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.' Joseph — rejected by his brothers, exalted to save them — is a striking type of the Lord Jesus, the Shepherd and the Stone (the rejected Stone made the cornerstone, Ps. 118:22; 1 Pet. 2:6-7). The God of Jacob from whom the Shepherd-Stone comes is revealed in Christ.
JewishJacob's richest tribal blessing — Joseph's fruitfulness and the favor of the Mighty One of Jacob; the prosperity of the Joseph tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh).
CatholicJoseph as a type of Christ — rejected then exalted to save; the Shepherd and Stone read of the Messiah.
ProtestantJoseph's life a celebrated type of Christ; 'the shepherd, the stone of Israel' pointing to the Messiah.
AcademicThe Joseph blessing (with Deut. 33) reflects the prominence of the Joseph tribes; 'the Stone of Israel' is a rare, archaic divine epithet.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.