Welcome to the Genesis 49 Quiz!
This quiz is designed to truly test your knowledge, with questions that draw on subtle details and symbolic language from the King James Version (KJV).
Bible Trivia Quiz Questions on Genesis Chapter 49
Each question comes with carefully chosen answer options that might look similar at first glance, so you’ll need to focus on each word’s meaning and context.
Take your time, reflect on the verses, and see just how well you know this chapter in Genesis!
Genesis 49 Quiz with Answers and Explanations
Question No. 1
What was the blessing Jacob gave to Reuben regarding his strength?
- A. Thou art strong as an ox
- B. Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel
- C. Thy strength shall surpass thy brethren
- D. Thy blessing shall be of the firstborn
- E. Strong as a lion, mighty in battle
Answer: B. Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel
Explanation: Jacob’s blessing to Reuben notes his strength but ultimately declares that he shall not excel due to instability, symbolized by water. Genesis 49:4 says, “Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.”
Question No. 2
In Jacob’s prophecy, which animal is used to describe Judah?
- A. A fox
- B. A lion
- C. A bear
- D. A serpent
- E. A wolf
Answer: B. A lion
Explanation: Jacob describes Judah as a lion, symbolizing strength, leadership, and dominance. This imagery is seen in Genesis 49:9, which reads, “Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?”
Question No. 3
Which specific phrase does Jacob use to describe Zebulun’s position?
- A. “He shall dwell by the seashore”
- B. “He shall inherit the mountains”
- C. “He shall be a harbor for ships”
- D. “His dwelling shall be on high”
- E. “He shall be a root by the riverside”
Answer: C. “He shall be a harbor for ships”
Explanation: Jacob prophesies that Zebulun will be positioned by the sea, becoming a haven for ships, emphasizing trade and connection to the sea. Genesis 49:13 states, “Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.”
Question No. 4
In Jacob’s blessing, what metaphor does he use to describe Issachar’s character?
- A. A serpent by the path
- B. A lion among the sheep
- C. An ox in the fields
- D. A bear in the mountains
- E. None of the above
Answer: E. None of the above
Explanation: Jacob describes Issachar as a strong donkey, symbolizing strength and burden-bearing, indicating a tendency toward labor and servitude. Genesis 49:14 says, “Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens.”
Question No. 5
What role or responsibility does Jacob assign to Dan among his brothers?
- A. Judge of his people
- B. Warrior of peace
- C. Shepherd of the flock
- D. Leader among tribes
- E. Priest among nations
Answer: A. Judge of his people
Explanation: Jacob prophesies that Dan will judge his people, implying a role of discernment and leadership. Genesis 49:16 reads, “Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.”
Question No. 6
According to Jacob, what characteristic does he ascribe to Gad’s future?
- A. He shall be wise
- B. A troop shall overcome him
- C. He shall possess many lands
- D. He shall lead his people
- E. His strength shall endure forever
Answer: B. A troop shall overcome him
Explanation: Jacob foretells that Gad will face enemies but will ultimately prevail. Genesis 49:19 says, “Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.”
Question No. 7
What blessing of prosperity does Jacob attribute to Asher?
- A. He shall have abundance of gold
- B. He shall yield royal dainties
- C. He shall possess great cattle
- D. He shall be blessed with children
- E. He shall sit among princes
Answer: B. He shall yield royal dainties
Explanation: Jacob describes Asher’s prosperity in terms of producing luxurious foods. Genesis 49:20 states, “Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.”
Question No. 8
Naphtali is compared to which of the following animals in Jacob’s blessing?
- A. A snake
- B. A wolf
- C. A lion
- D. An eagle
- E. None of the above
Answer: E. None of the above
Explanation: Jacob likens Naphtali to a swift, free doe, symbolizing agility and beauty. Genesis 49:21 says, “Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.”
Question No. 9
In Jacob’s blessing, which metaphor best describes Joseph’s prosperity?
- A. A fruitful vine by a well
- B. A towering cedar tree
- C. An eagle among sparrows
- D. A river in the desert
- E. A golden lamp in the night
Answer: A. A fruitful vine by a well
Explanation: Jacob describes Joseph’s prosperity as a fruitful vine nourished by water, symbolizing abundance. Genesis 49:22 states, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.”
Question No. 10
Jacob blesses Judah with a certain object that shall not “depart” until Shiloh comes. What is it?
- A. The sceptre
- B. The crown
- C. The mantle
- D. The sword
- E. The shield
Answer: A. The sceptre
Explanation: Jacob declares that the scepter, symbolizing authority, shall not depart from Judah until the arrival of Shiloh. Genesis 49:10 reads, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
Question No. 11
What specific phrase does Jacob use to describe the blessings upon Joseph’s head?
- A. Blessings of the mountains
- B. Blessings of the ancient hills
- C. Blessings of the deep
- D. Blessings of thy father
- E. Blessings of the sun and moon
Answer: B. Blessings of the ancient hills
Explanation: Jacob pronounces blessings on Joseph, including blessings from the “ancient hills,” indicating enduring and abundant favor. Genesis 49:26 states, “The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.”
Question No. 12
Which son is compared to a ravenous wolf in Jacob’s blessing?
- A. Levi
- B. Benjamin
- C. Simeon
- D. Dan
- E. Gad
Answer: B. Benjamin
Explanation: Jacob describes Benjamin as a ravenous wolf, hinting at strength and fierceness in battle. Genesis 49:27 states, “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.”
Question No. 13
Jacob mentions blessings given to Joseph that are described as being “unto the utmost bound.” What does he say they are “above”?
- A. The blessings of thy sons
- B. The blessings of thy daughters
- C. The blessings of my progenitors
- D. The blessings of the land
- E. The blessings of the seas
Answer: C. The blessings of my progenitors
Explanation: Jacob declares that the blessings on Joseph surpass those received by his ancestors, reaching unto the “utmost bound of the everlasting hills.” Genesis 49:26 says, “The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills.”
Question No. 14
What does Jacob predict will happen to Reuben because he went “up to thy father’s bed”?
- A. He shall be cursed forever
- B. He will excel in might
- C. He shall be a stranger to his brethren
- D. He shall lead his brothers
- E. None of the above
Answer: E. None of the above
Explanation: Jacob declares that Reuben will not excel and implies that he forfeits his privileges as the firstborn because he defiled his father’s bed. Genesis 49:4 says, “Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.”
Question No. 15
Which son’s future does Jacob tie closely to “the haven of the sea” and “unto Zidon”?
- A. Judah
- B. Zebulun
- C. Issachar
- D. Gad
- E. Naphtali
Answer: B. Zebulun
Explanation: Jacob prophesies that Zebulun will dwell by the sea and have his border near Zidon, hinting at a life tied to maritime trade. Genesis 49:13 reads, “Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.”
Question No. 16
Jacob states that the “archers have sorely grieved” which of his sons?
- A. Simeon
- B. Levi
- C. Judah
- D. Joseph
- E. Dan
Answer: D. Joseph
Explanation: Jacob mentions that Joseph has faced opposition from archers, symbolizing the hardships and conflicts he endured. Genesis 49:23 says, “The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him.”
Question No. 17
What fruitfulness does Jacob associate with Joseph’s life?
- A. Bough by the sea
- B. Branches that run over the wall
- C. A vine in a vineyard
- D. A grain of wheat in the field
- E. A cedar in Lebanon
Answer: B. Branches that run over the wall
Explanation: Jacob describes Joseph as a fruitful bough by a well, with branches that extend beyond boundaries, symbolizing his prosperity. Genesis 49:22 says, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.”
Question No. 18
Jacob describes a particular “stone of Israel” associated with which son?
- A. Judah
- B. Simeon
- C. Joseph
- D. Benjamin
- E. Dan
Answer: C. Joseph
Explanation: Jacob refers to the “stone of Israel” in relation to Joseph, symbolizing stability and strength provided by God. Genesis 49:24 says, “But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel).”
Question No. 19
What specific imagery does Jacob use to express the stability and support Joseph receives?
- A. The wings of a great eagle
- B. The arms of the mighty
- C. The roots of the tree of life
- D. The hands of the warrior
- E. The staff of the shepherd
Answer: B. The arms of the mighty
Explanation: Jacob speaks of Joseph’s strength as being fortified by the “arms of his hands” through divine support. Genesis 49:24 reads, “But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.”
Question No. 20
Which tribe did Jacob prophesy would eventually produce the ruler, symbolized by the scepter?
- A. Dan
- B. Levi
- C. Simeon
- D. Judah
- E. Reuben
Answer: D. Judah
Explanation: Jacob prophesies that the scepter, representing rule and authority, will come from Judah until the arrival of Shiloh. Genesis 49:10 reads, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”