The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes the intensity and persistence of the attack through repeated action verbs. It's not just a single shot, but a barrage of "bitterly attacked," "shot at," and "harassed," highlighting a relentless onslaught designed to break Joseph down. This isn't just about being targeted; it's about being completely overwhelmed by hostility.
The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jacob is nearing the end of his life and gathers his twelve sons to bless them and prophesy about their future descendants. After speaking to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, he turns to Joseph, whose life has been marked by both great suffering and remarkable ascent, and offers him a powerful blessing. This verse describes the intense opposition and animosity Joseph faced, setting the stage for Jacob to affirm God's protective strength that sustained him.
Have you ever felt unfairly targeted, like arrows are flying your way from all directions? Jacob's prophecy about Joseph speaks to this deep human experience.
Jacob uses the imagery of 'archers' to describe the relentless opposition Joseph faced. This wasn't just random misfortune; it was a deliberate, hostile attack.
The 'Archers'
This imagery highlights that suffering often comes from those close to us, or through deceit and misrepresentation. It wasn't just a passive experience for Joseph; he was actively 'shot at' and 'hated.'
When the arrows fly, where do we find the strength to stand firm? Jacob reveals the secret to Joseph's resilience.
Despite the severe attacks, Joseph's story isn't one of defeat, but of remarkable endurance and eventual triumph. Jacob points to the source of this strength:
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The Mighty God of Jacob
This shows that true resilience in the face of intense opposition comes not from within ourselves, but from a deep reliance on God's power and His promises.
Understand the original words
ba'aley chitsim · Hebrew Noun
Those who use a bow to shoot arrows; metaphorically used to describe enemies or adversaries who actively seek to harm or bring down an individual or nation.
Jacob's words to Joseph recall the intense suffering and persecution Joseph endured from his own brothers and others. The imagery of 'archers' highlights the targeted and hateful attacks he faced, emphasizing his resilience and God's ultimate protection and elevation of Joseph.
c. 1760 BC— this verse
Joseph Sold into Slavery
Joseph's jealous brothers sell him into slavery, leading to his eventual rise to power in Egypt. This event deeply grieved and tested Joseph.
c. 1760-1710 BC
Joseph's Rise in Egypt
Despite hardships and false accusations, Joseph faithfully serves in Egypt, eventually becoming second-in-command and saving his family from famine.
c. 1710 BC
Jacob's Family Settles in Egypt
Joseph's family, facing famine, relocates to Egypt, settling in the land of Goshen under Joseph's protection.
c. 1710 BC
Jacob's Final Blessing
Jacob, near death, blesses his twelve sons and their tribes, recounting their histories and prophesying their future.
This psalm describes the suffering of God's servant with language that echoes the severe affliction Joseph endured, crying out, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?'
Proverbs 1:10-11This proverb speaks directly to the 'archers' who attacked Joseph, describing how wicked people plot evil and lie in wait to harm the innocent, saying, 'My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent... they lie in wait for their own blood; they set a snare for their own lives.'
Job 16:13Job's lament over his suffering uses imagery similar to Genesis 49:23, portraying his enemies as relentless attackers: 'He lets loose his archers against me, he pierces my side with his arrows, and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground.'
Lamentations 3:12This verse in Lamentations expresses a profound sense of being hunted and attacked, mirroring the experience of Joseph and the language used in Genesis 49:23: 'He bent his bow and set me as the target for his arrows.'
calvinGenesis 49:1-33: "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days."
Omnes istae tribus Israel duodecim. Et hoc est quod loquutus est eis pater eorum, et benedixit eis, unicuique secundum benedictionem suam, benedixit eis.
And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite.
Et praecepti eis, e…
bensonGenesis 49:23: "The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:"
Genesis 49:23 . The archers have sorely grieved him — Though he now lived in ease and in honour, Jacob reminds him of the difficulties he had formerly waded through. He had had many enemies, here called archers, being skilful to do mischief; they hated him, they shot their poisonous darts at him. His brethren were spiteful toward him, mocked him, stripped him, sold him, thought they had been the death of him.…
The verse emphasizes the intensity and persistence of the attack through repeated action verbs. It's not just a single shot, but a barrage of "bitterly attacked," "shot at," and "harassed," highlighting a relentless onslaught designed to break Joseph down. This isn't just about being targeted; it's about being completely overwhelmed by hostility.
Jacob is nearing the end of his life and gathers his twelve sons to bless them and prophesy about their future descendants. After speaking to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, he turns to Joseph, whose life has been marked by both great suffering and remarkable ascent, and offers him a powerful blessing. This verse describes the intense opposition and animosity Joseph faced, setting the stage for Jacob to affirm God's protective strength that sustained him.
Jacob is nearing the end of his life and gathers his twelve sons to bless them and prophesy about their future descendants. After speaking to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, he turns to Joseph, whose life has been marked by both great suffering and remarkable ascent, and offers him a powerful blessing. This verse describes the intense opposition and animosity Joseph faced, setting the stage for Jacob to affirm God's protective strength that sustained him.
"The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely," — The verse emphasizes the intensity and persistence of the attack through repeated action verbs. It's not just a single shot, but a barrage of "bitterly attacked," "shot at," and "harassed," highl…
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Last reviewed October 2026