Genesis 49:4

Unstable] rather, 'unrestrained,' descriptive of ungoverned passion. Reuben's sin is mentioned in Genesis 35:22. Excel] rather, 'have the preëminence.'

5-7. The prediction respecting Simeon and Levi. Simeon and Levi were both sons of Leah; but they also were brethren in the cruelty of their attack on the Shechemites (Genesis 34:25), The scattered state of both these tribes in their after history is well known. When the territories were assigned in the days of Joshua, Simeon only had some cities within the possessions of Judah: see Joshua 19:1. The Levites as priests had fortyeight towns given them throughout the country, but had no inheritance of land, Joshua 21:1 : cp. also the picture in Judges 17-19 of the wandering Levites.