Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

GENESIS 49:11KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 49:11 (KJV)

What does Genesis 49:11 mean?

Genesis 49:11 describes a scene where someone ties his young donkey to a vine and washes his clothes in wine, using the rich juice of grapes as if it were water. This verse uses vivid imagery to picture great abundance and prosperity, where even valuable things like vines and wine are used freely.

In this verse, Jacob is speaking to his sons and giving a special blessing to Judah. The language paints a picture of such plenty in Judah’s future that tying an animal to a precious vine or washing clothes in wine would not be a loss. The verse uses poetic symbols to show a time when the land will be so fruitful that the usual care for valuable crops and wine is set aside.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 49:11

  • "Vine" (גֶּפֶן, gephen) and "choice vine" (שֹׂרֵק, soreq) both refer to grapevines, but "choice vine" means a select or especially valuable vine, highlighting the richness of the scene.
  • "Wine" (יַיִן, yayin) and "blood of grapes" (דַּם עֲנָבִים, dam anavim) both refer to grape juice or wine, with "blood of grapes" being a poetic way to describe the juice pressed from grapes, emphasizing its richness and abundance.
  • "Washed" (כָּבַס, kavas) means to wash or launder, usually with water, but here it is striking because it is wine that is used, underlining the extraordinary plenty.

Why Genesis 49:11 matters

  • Genesis 49:11 helps clear up that the verse is not about literal farming practices but uses poetic language to show an overflowing blessing and prosperity.
  • The verse connects to the larger blessing Jacob gives to Judah, hinting at a future time of peace and wealth for his descendants.
  • The imagery of wine and vines ties Judah’s blessing to themes of fruitfulness and celebration found elsewhere in the Bible, making this a key verse for understanding the hope and promise given to Judah’s line.

Where else these words appear

“vine” Hebrew H8321 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
  • Jeremiah 2:21 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

“foal” Hebrew H5895 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Judges 12:14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.
  • Isaiah 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

“grapes” Hebrew H6025 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Numbers 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
  • Isaiah 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

“ass's” Hebrew H860 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 22:29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
  • 1 Samuel 10:14 And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.