Genesis 49 · For teachers and parents

Answer Key: Jacob Blesses His Sons

Answers here are a guide. Welcome any answer that shows a child is thinking about the story, and celebrate their effort. Talk About It questions are open, so they have no set answers.

PreschoolWaiting for God

familycrownpraying and handsgrapes

Coloring and finding page: any careful coloring is a win. Help your child point to and name each picture above.

KindergartenTwelve Sons

SONS → picture 2KING → picture 4PRAY → picture 1GRAPES → picture 3

Grade 1Words for Twelve Sons

Twelve sons → picture 3A king from Judah → picture 1Joseph a fruitful vine → picture 4God the Shepherd → picture 2

Order:

1. Jacob called to his sons2. Jacob said, Joseph is a fruitful vine3. All these are the twelve tribes of Israel4. When Jacob finished charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed

Grade 2A Promise of a King

How many sons did Jacob call together? Twelve (circle)
What did Jacob tell each son? Something about his future (circle)
What came from Judah's family? Kings, like David (Christians have read this as pointing to Jesus)
What did Jacob say Joseph was like? A fruitful vine (circle)
Where did Jacob want to be buried? With Abraham and Isaac (circle)

Grade 3The Scepter of Judah

Why did Reuben lose first place? Because of a serious sin against his father
Why would Simeon and Levi be scattered? They had acted with violence and cruel anger.
What animal did Jacob compare Judah to? A lion (a lion's cub)
What did Jacob pray in the middle of the blessings? Jacob said, I have waited for your salvation, Yahweh.
What names did Jacob use for God in Joseph's blessing? The Mighty One of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel

1: Jacob called to his sons2: Jacob said, Joseph is a fruitful vine3: All these are the twelve tribes of Israel4: When Jacob finished charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed

Grade 4The Lion of Judah

What did Reuben, Simeon and Levi learn? Sin has consequences, even years later.
What is a scepter? A king's rod
What is Jesus called in Revelation 5:5? The Lion of the tribe of Judah
What names did Jacob give God in Joseph's blessing? The Shepherd and the Stone of Israel

Word bank: 1. sons; 2. Judah; 3. King

Think About It: answers will vary. Look for answers that connect to the passage.

Grade 5Until Shiloh Comes

Why did Reuben lose his place as firstborn? Because of his sin (35:22)
What happened later to Levi's descendants? They became the priestly tribe after their faithfulness in Exodus 32.
How have interpreters understood the scepter promise? As a promise of the Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah
What New Testament event have Christians connected with the donkey image? The king who rides a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), Jesus' entry into Jerusalem
Why was Jacob's burial request an act of faith? Machpelah was the only land Abraham owned in Canaan, so it showed trust in God's promise.

Think About It: answers will vary. Look for answers that connect to the passage.