What was Jacob doing when he prophesied about his sons in Genesis 49?
Jacob was on his deathbed making prophetic utterances concerning all twelve sons. He spoke prophetically about Benjamin, the youngest, in Genesis 49:27, declaring that Benjamin would raven as a wolf, devour the prey in the morning, and divide the spoils at night.
Les explains that old Jacob, while on his deathbed, was making prophetic utterances concerning all twelve sons. In Genesis 49:27, Jacob addresses Benjamin last, since he was the youngest. Jacob says, "Benjamin shall raven as a wolf. In the morning he shall devour the prey... but at night he shall divide the spoils." Les notes this is a vicious picture, but it connects to the two aspects of Benjamin: the son of sorrow, Ben-Oni, and the son of strength. Les also brings Saul of Tarsus and Paul into the picture, since Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin.