Jacob saw in the blessings he was passing on to his sons, even greater blessings than he had received from his fathers, for now they had increased into twelve tribes and there was conveyed to them the promise of the Messiah, and the prosperity of the Land God promised to His people. Note that Jacob is trying to tie Joseph, and the two tribes which will come from him, back to the God of Israel, the Creator, the Redeemer. Why? Well, these tribes, especially Ephraim, led Israel into idolatry. Jeroboam, who led in the rebellion and placed the two golden calves at Israel's borders, came from the tribe of Ephraim. So here on his deathbed, Jacob calls them back, back to the God of his father. (McGee)
(Gen 49:27) Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Benjamin the last born and the last blessed, would be a warlike tribe as was shown in both the leaders produced by this tribe (Ehud and Saul) and they were almost exterminated becauseof it in the caseof the Levite and his concubine. Benjamin was closely identified with Judah, so much so that Benjamin went with the tribe of Judah at the division of the kingdom. The tribe of Benjamin was the only one that stayed with the house of David. (McGee)
(Gen 49:28) All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them. They were always to come up with twelve tribes when discussing the tribes of Israel, though it had to be juggled according to what you are speaking of. When you were not referring to inheritance you could say twelve and include Ephraim and Manasseh, and exclude Levi so you retained twelve. When speaking of a nation established by God you would refer to Judah and include Levi as the twelfth. But you must always arrive at twelve. (Gen 49:29) 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, Jacob saw in this burial place more than a cemetery. It was the gathering place of the patriarchs and their wives. Thesewere the holders of the GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 49—PAGE 22