Characteristics of Jacob's Sons.
By Jos. Clarke
Considering them in the order as spoken of by their father in Gen. xlix, Reuben is first in the discourse, being the eldest; but having committed heinous sins, he lost his birthright, and the pre-eminence in Jacob's family was conferred upon Judah. Instability was the sin, the besetting sin, of Reuben. Simeon and Levi were distinguished for their cruelty in taking unfair measures in obtaining revenge upon the family of Shechem, for violation of the common rules of chastity. Their sin brought its effects. Levi had no landed inheritance in Palestine, and Simeon's inheritance was small, and less valuable than the other tribes, and their cruelty called for the prophetic denunciation, "I will scatter them in Israel." Judah being of a noble disposition, had distinguished himself at times by his manly and generous behaviour, and his course of conduct had won the respect and esteem of his brethren. His blessing was priority and eminence among his brethren. The tribe of Zebulon being disposed to traffic, were located along the Mediterranean Sea, and the tribe of Issachar (which was honorably mentioned in connexion with Zebulon) were famed for their skill and industry in agriculture, and for their love for their country. Dan as a judge is mentioned; but his serpent-like and crafty policy, is strongly anathematized. Gad, meaning in Hebrew, prosperity, seems not to have brought upon himself denunciations for outbreaking sins, and was early settled in his inheritance east of Jordan. Asher is honorably noticed in prophecy, was located along the coast, and was rich as to the productions of the soil, and the mineral wealth of his inheritance. Naphtali is honorably noticed for his natural talents of oratory, or elegance of speech, and reference is probably had to the future poets and public men who would spring from this tribe. Joseph's blessing is surpassed only by the blessing pronounced upon Judah. Benjamin though a favorite son, and possessing good qualities, is spoken of as possessing a wolf-like ferocity of disposition. We see he was as a tribe nearly exterminated at one time, although much blessed afterward, when united with Judah. In the notice of these tribes in Revelation vii, Dan seems to have been purposely omitted, and the half-tribe of Manasseh fills his place. Why this tribe of Dan is omitted, may perhaps be from the abhorrence held against his serpent-like character, a tendency to strike the innocent and unsuspecting by a back-handed blow, slily, venomously, before the victim could discover the viper, or from behind, after he had passed, when it was too late to make defense. Of all other besetments to be overcome, this one seems most of all to be hated, and avoided, and overcome; as we may fairly infer from the silent omission of the name of the tribe of Dan, in the enumeration of the twelve divisions of the one hundred and forty-four thousand.
Jos. CLARKE.