Genesis 49:23

Joseph’s enemies hated him, they attacked him and made trouble for him.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:

In Context

22Then Jacob said, “Lots of people will be born into Joseph’s family. Yes, Joseph’s family will grow big, just like a grape vine that grows near a spring of water, and has lots of fruit. Its branches are so long, they grow over a big wall.

24But he didn’t give up, God helped him to stand strong. Yes, God, my God, he is the one that has all the power. God looks after his people properly, just like a man looks after his sheep properly. God is like solid rock, he keeps his people safe.”

Read all of Genesis 49

Cross References

Genesis 37:4Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than them. So they hated Joseph, and they couldn’t talk in a friendly way to him.

Genesis 37:24And they grabbed him, and they chucked him into a big hole in the ground. That hole was empty, there wasn’t any water in it.

Genesis 39:7So after a while, Potifar’s wife started to look at Joseph a lot, and she wanted to sleep with him, like a woman sleeps with her husband. She said to Joseph, “Come and sleep with me.”

John 16:33I told you all these things now, so that you can always feel happy and quiet inside yourselves. You are going to get trouble in this world, and you are going to feel sad. But don’t be frightened. I am stronger than the world. I finished up the power of this world. So be strong and brave.”

Matthew Henry on Genesis 49:23-28

22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: 23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: 24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) 25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 49:23