O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

GENESIS 49:6KJV
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Genesis 49:6 (KJV)

What does Genesis 49:6 mean?

Genesis 49:6 shows Jacob distancing himself from the violent actions of his sons Simeon and Levi, saying he does not want his soul or honor to be joined with their secret plans or assembly. Jacob explains that in their anger and self-will, they killed a man and destroyed property, acts he does not want to be associated with.

Jacob is speaking to his sons as he gives his final blessings and prophecies before his death. In this verse, he specifically addresses the past violent actions of Simeon and Levi, likely referring to their attack on Shechem (Genesis 34). Jacob emphasizes his disapproval and wishes not to be connected to their choices, highlighting the seriousness of their anger and self-driven violence.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 49:6

  • "Soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): This word often means a person's life or inner being. Jacob is saying that his very self should not be involved in their secretive plans.
  • "Secret" (סוֹד, sod): This word can mean a council or confidential plan. Jacob is rejecting any association with the hidden schemes of Simeon and Levi.
  • "Assembly" (קָהָל, qahal): This word refers to a gathering or group, often with a purpose. Jacob does not want his "honor" (כָּבוֹד, kavod) to be united with their group, showing a strong desire to separate his reputation from their actions.
  • "Selfwill" (רָצוֹן, ratson): This word means acting according to one's own desire or will, often without regard for others. Jacob points out that their violence was not just angry, but also self-motivated and willful.

Why Genesis 49:6 matters

  • Genesis 49:6 clarifies that Jacob strongly disapproves of Simeon and Levi's actions, making it clear that he does not support or excuse their violence.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of acting out of uncontrolled anger and self-will, showing that even family ties do not justify such behavior.
  • This verse connects to the larger passage where Jacob blesses and judges each of his sons, setting the stage for the future tribes of Israel and their roles.

Where else these words appear

“united” Hebrew H3161 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
  • Isaiah 14:20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

“down” Hebrew H6131 · used in 7 verses

  • Joshua 11:6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
  • 2 Samuel 8:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
  • Ecclesiastes 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

“secret” Hebrew H5475 · used in 21 verses

  • Job 15:8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
  • Psalms 83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
  • Proverbs 25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

“selfwill” Hebrew H7522 · used in 56 verses

  • Exodus 28:38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
  • Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
  • Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.