CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/49-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_49_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 49:5 - Jacob Blesses His Sons" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/49-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/49-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/49.htm">Chapter 49</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/49-4.htm" title="Genesis 49:4">◄</a> Genesis 49:5 <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm" title="Genesis 49:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/49.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Simeon and Levi are brothers— their swords are weapons of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/49.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi are two of a kind; their weapons are instruments of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/49.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/49.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi <i>are</i> brethren; instruments of cruelty <i>are in</i> their habitations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/49.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi <i>are</i> brothers; Instruments of cruelty <i>are in</i> their dwelling place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/49.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/49.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/49.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/49.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/49.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi are brothers [equally headstrong, deceitful, vindictive, and cruel]; Their swords are weapons of violence <i>and</i> revenge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/49.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers; their knives are vicious weapons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/49.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers; their knives are vicious weapons. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/49.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brethren; Weapons of violence are their swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/49.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi, you are brothers, each a gruesome sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/49.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brethren; Weapons of violence are their swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/49.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"[Simeon] and [Levi] are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/49.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Simeon and Levi are brothers. They use their weapons to commit violence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/49.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are violent weapons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/49.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/49.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their knives! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/49.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/49.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brethren: instruments of cruelty are in, their habitations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/49.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/49.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi [are] brothers! Instruments of violence—their espousals!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/49.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Simeon and Levi are brethren! Instruments of violence -- their espousals!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/49.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Simon and Levi brethren; their swords instruments of violence.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/49.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi brethren: vessels of iniquity, waging war. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/49.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The brothers Simeon and Levi: vessels of iniquity waging war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/49.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Simeon and Levi, brothers indeed, weapons of violence are their knives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/49.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/49.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of anger are in their nature.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/49.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Shemon and Levi, brothers, are weapons of rage by their nature.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/49.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Simeon and Levi are brethren; Weapons of violence their kinship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/49.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Symeon and Levi, brethren, accomplished the injustice of their cutting off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/49-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=12823" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Jacob Blesses His Sons</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8095.htm" title="8095: šim·‘ō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- From shama'; hearing; Shimon, one of Jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him.">Simeon</a> <a href="/hebrew/3878.htm" title="3878: wə·lê·wî (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him. From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob.">and Levi</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’a·ḥîm (N-mp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">are brothers;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4380.htm" title="4380: mə·ḵê·rō·ṯê·hem (N-fpc:: 3mp) -- (probably some kind of) weapon. Probably from the same as kuwr in the sense of stabbing; a sword.">their swords</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: kə·lê (N-mpc) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">are weapons</a> <a href="/hebrew/2555.htm" title="2555: ḥā·mās (N-ms) -- Violence, wrong. From chamac; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. Unjust gain.">of violence.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Genesis 34:25-30</a></span><br />Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male. / They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with their swords, took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went away. / Jacob’s other sons came upon the slaughter and looted the city, because their sister had been defiled. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2-3</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.” / So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4-5</a></span><br />So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him. / He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/7-21.htm">1 Chronicles 7:21-22</a></span><br />Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by the natives of Gath, because they went down to steal their livestock. / Their father Ephraim mourned for many days, and his relatives came to comfort him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-1.htm">1 Chronicles 12:1-2</a></span><br />Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">2 Samuel 2:18-23</a></span><br />The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle, / and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. / And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-30.htm">2 Samuel 3:30</a></span><br />(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5-6</a></span><br />Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-32.htm">1 Kings 2:32-33</a></span><br />The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/25-12.htm">Ezekiel 25:12-14</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Amos 1:11</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34-36</a></span><br />Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. / For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. / A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-49.htm">Luke 22:49-51</a></span><br />Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” / And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. / But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-10.htm">John 18:10-11</a></span><br />Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. / “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-23.htm">Acts 7:23-25</a></span><br />When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. / And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him. / He assumed his brothers would understand that God was using him to deliver them, but they did not.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.</p><p class="hdg">Simeon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-33.htm">Genesis 29:33,34</a></b></br> And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I <i>was</i> hated, he hath therefore given me this <i>son</i> also: and she called his name Simeon… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Genesis 34:25-29</a></b></br> And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/46-10.htm">Genesis 46:10,11</a></b></br> And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman… </p><p class="hdg">instruments, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Genesis 34:25-29</a></b></br> And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/9-22.htm">Cruelty</a> <a href="/genesis/34-13.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/genesis/42-31.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm">Espousals</a> <a href="/genesis/47-26.htm">Force</a> <a href="/genesis/36-43.htm">Habitations</a> <a href="/genesis/4-22.htm">Implements</a> <a href="/genesis/27-3.htm">Instruments</a> <a href="/genesis/46-11.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/genesis/44-15.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/genesis/48-5.htm">Simeon</a> <a href="/luke/22-52.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/genesis/6-13.htm">Violence</a> <a href="/genesis/27-3.htm">Weapons</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-24.htm">Cruelty</a> <a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/exodus/25-9.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/songs/3-11.htm">Espousals</a> <a href="/exodus/9-14.htm">Force</a> <a href="/exodus/12-20.htm">Habitations</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-12.htm">Implements</a> <a href="/exodus/25-9.htm">Instruments</a> <a href="/exodus/1-2.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/exodus/1-2.htm">Simeon</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-7.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-2.htm">Violence</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-41.htm">Weapons</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 49</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/49-1.htm">Jacob calls his sons to bless them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Their blessing in particular.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/49-29.htm">He charges them about his burial.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/49-33.htm">He dies.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/49.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/49.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Simeon and Levi are brothers;</b><br>Simeon and Levi were the second and third sons of Jacob and Leah. Their brotherhood is emphasized here, not just in terms of familial ties but also in their shared actions and characteristics. In the context of Genesis, their unity is highlighted in the incident at Shechem (Genesis 34), where they acted together in response to the defilement of their sister Dinah. This phrase underscores their close relationship and shared temperament, which plays a significant role in their father's prophetic blessings and rebukes.<p><b>their swords are weapons of violence.</b><br>This phrase refers to the violent actions of Simeon and Levi, particularly in the massacre of the Shechemites. Their use of swords symbolizes their propensity for violence and lack of restraint. In biblical times, swords were common weapons, often associated with warfare and judgment. The mention of violence here serves as a critique of their past actions and foreshadows the consequences for their tribes. Historically, the tribe of Simeon was eventually absorbed into Judah, losing its distinct identity, while the Levites were scattered throughout Israel, serving as priests and temple workers, which can be seen as a transformation of their violent past into a role of spiritual service. This transformation can also be seen as a type of redemption, reflecting the broader biblical theme of turning from sin to service.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/simeon.htm">Simeon</a></b><br>The second son of Jacob and Leah. Known for his role in the violent act against the Shechemites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/levi.htm">Levi</a></b><br>The third son of Jacob and Leah. Like Simeon, he participated in the attack on Shechem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The patriarch who is blessing his sons in <a href="/bsb/genesis/49.htm">Genesis 49</a>, offering prophetic insights into their futures.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>A city in Canaan where Simeon and Levi avenged their sister Dinah by killing the men of the city.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/dinah.htm">Dinah</a></b><br>The sister of Simeon and Levi, whose defilement by Shechem led to their violent retaliation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_violence.htm">The Consequences of Violence</a></b><br>Simeon and Levi's actions had long-term consequences for their tribes. Violence often leads to division and loss of blessing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_potential_for_redemption.htm">The Potential for Redemption</a></b><br>Despite their violent past, the tribe of Levi was later set apart for priestly service, demonstrating God's ability to redeem and repurpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_self-control.htm">The Importance of Self-Control</a></b><br>The account of Simeon and Levi serves as a cautionary tale about the need for self-control and the dangers of acting on impulse.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_dynamics_and_legacy.htm">Family Dynamics and Legacy</a></b><br>Jacob's words to his sons highlight how family actions and dynamics can impact future generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human failings, God's purposes prevail, as seen in the eventual role of the Levites in Israel's spiritual life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_49.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 49</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_genesis_49_5-7_vs._levites'_role_contradictory.htm">Why does Genesis 49:5–7 curse Simeon and Levi, yet the Levites later assume priestly duties—does this indicate an internal contradiction? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/jacob's_prophecies_in_the_bible.htm">What are Jacob's prophecies in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_the_tribe_of_simeon_important.htm">What is the significance of the Tribe of Simeon?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_simeon_and_levi_punish_a_city.htm">Genesis 34:13–29 – Why would Simeon and Levi punish an entire city for one man’s crime, and is there historical or archaeological evidence of such collective retribution? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/49.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Simeon and Levi are brethren.</span>--That is, they are alike in character and disposition. Despising the feeble Reuben, they seem to have been close friends and allies, and probably tried to exercise a tyrannical authority over their younger brethren, Judah being the only one near them in age.<p><span class= "bld">Their habitations.</span>--This translation is universally abandoned, but there is much difference of opinion as to the real meaning of the word. The most probable explanation is that given by Jerome and Rashi, who render it <span class= "ital">swords. </span>Apparently it is the Greek word <span class= "ital">machaera, </span>a knife; and as neither the Hebrews nor the Canaanites were metallurgists, such articles锟絯ere imported by merchants from Ionia. Long before the days of Jacob, caravans of traders traversed the whole country, and the goods which they brought would carry with them their own foreign names. The sentence, therefore, should be translated, "weapons of violence are their knives." The other meaning given by some competent critics, namely, <span class= "ital">compacts, </span>if the word could be formed at all from the supposed root, would mean <span class= "ital">marriage contracts, </span>and this gives no intelligible sense.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/49.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 5-7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Simeon and Levi are brethren</span> (not in parentage alone, but also in their deeds; e.g. their massacre of the Shechemites (<a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Genesis 34:25</a>), to which undoubtedly the next words allude); <span class="cmt_word">instruments of cruelty are in their habitations</span> - literally, <span class="accented">instruments of violence their</span> <span class="hebrew">מְכֵדֹת</span>, a <span class="greek">ἅπαξ λεγόμ</span>. which has been variously rendered <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> their dwellings, or habitations (Kimchi, A. V., Calvin, Ainsworth), in the land of their sojourning (Onkelos), for which, however, there does not seem to be much authority; <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> their machinations or wicked counsels, deriving from <span class="hebrew">מָכַר</span>, to string together, to take in a net, to ensnare (<a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Nahum 3:4</a>), the cognate Arabic root signifying to deceive or practice stratagems (De Dieu, Schultens, Castelli, Tayler Lewis, and others); <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> their betrothals, or compacts of marriage, connecting with the same root as the preceding in the sense of "binding together" (Dathius, Clericus, Michaelis, Knobel, Furst, <span class="accented">et alii</span>); . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/49-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Simeon</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁמְע֥וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(šim·‘ō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8095.htm">Strong's 8095: </a> </span><span class="str2">Simeon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite with a foreign wife</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Levi</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֵוִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lê·wî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3878.htm">Strong's 3878: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are brothers;</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their swords</span><br /><span class="heb">מְכֵרֹתֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḵê·rō·ṯê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4380.htm">Strong's 4380: </a> </span><span class="str2">(probably some kind of) weapon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are weapons</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּלֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kə·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prepared, any apparatus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of violence.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָמָ֖ס</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·mās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2555.htm">Strong's 2555: </a> </span><span class="str2">Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/49-5.htm">OT Law: Genesis 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brothers (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/49-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 49:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 49:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/49-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 49:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 49:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>