Genesis 49:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consequently, we read that He was exalted, receiving ‘a name above every name,’ which He had not held in humanity, in accordance with the blessed Apostle's words (Phil. 2:9). However, this was not the conferring of something foreign to His essence at the outset. Quite the opposite; it can be viewed as a restoration and elevation to what was originally His, which eternally and fundamentally belonged to Him. Thus, He spoke, reflecting on His own existence and embracing the humbled condition of humanity, saying, ‘Glorify Me, O Father, with Thyself with the glory which I had with Thee before the world existed’ (John 17:5). He has always existed in the divine glory, alongside His Father, prior to the creation of time and the universe. Therefore, the returning of Christ should be understood as an enhancement of glory that is perceived more vividly and expansively by all, as He is conceived in nature by those within the world and acknowledged as Lord of all, glorified and honored by God the Father. As the creator of all ages, He can also rightly be seen as eternally young. He manifested in the final epochs of time, succeeding the illustrious and honorable assembly of the holy prophets and all those esteemed for their virtues. It is undeniable that Immanuel was regarded as worthy of competition or ‘zeal.’ His presence inspires the saints to strive to emulate Him, aligning themselves with His divine goodness and adopting Him as their exemplar in order to achieve a glory that outshines that of others. He can also be viewed as ‘jealous’ regarding those who rejected Him, namely the Jewish leaders, scribes, and Pharisees, who revealed their bitter envy toward Him, making His unparalleled glory the target of their resentment. Christ raised the dead who had long been lifeless and decayed, asserting His dominion over death itself. Yet, instead of being awestruck enough to believe in Him wholeheartedly, they were consumed by jealousy, allowing bitter turmoil to fill their hearts. When He healed the blind man born without sight, they labeled Him a sinner (John 9:1 and 24). He cast out countless unclean spirits, and they falsely contended that Beelzebub was His ally in these works (Matt. 12:22ff.). They hurled stones at Him, wickedly claiming, ‘We do not seek to stone You for a good deed but for blasphemy, for You, being a man, make Yourself God’ (John 10:33). They gritted their teeth and said, ‘This is the heir; let us go and kill him’ (Matt. 21:38). He was zealous for even those who despised Him, though they could not overtake Him. For while He endured the Cross, as God, He triumphed over death, and in response, God the Father almost cried out to Him: ‘Turn to Me.’

The chains wielded against you by your brothers have been shattered by Him, ensuring that from your lineage will arise the strong and resilient tribe of Ephraim, likened to an unyielding stone, commanding authority over the ten tribes of Israel.’

Indeed, he proclaimed, I came only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24). Yet they responded, We do not know these things, from whence (Jn. 9:29). He cared deeply for them, but they spurned Him.

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It is said that my son is the youngest. Indeed, he was the youngest, as he was nearly the last to be born (Gen. 30:1-24, Gen. 35:16-18), and Scripture declares that Jacob loved him because he was the son of his old age (Gen. 37:3). This, too, symbolizes Christ. For the Son of God, having emerged through His birth from the Virgin Mary, entered a world already aging and approaching twilight - akin to the son of old age, seamlessly embodying the sacrament of Him who transcends time and has always existed with the Father. Thus, the Father calls out to Him, ‘Return to me,’ summoning from earth to heaven the one whom He commissioned for our salvation.

Consequently, Jacob remarks, ‘My son is zealous, my son is the youngest.’ The Scripture notes, ‘Jacob loved him, because he was to him a son of old age’ (Gen. 37:3). The Son of God was revealed to a world already aging and utterly lost, just as the Son of old age, born of a virgin, had been disclosed by the Father before time itself, always existing with God. Therefore, He (the Father) bids Him, ‘To Me return,’ summoning His Son from the earth to heaven. A different perspective shows that James blessed Joseph more abundantly than all his brothers, for he perceived the divine decrees that would find their fulfillment in Christ. As a result, the prophet blesses not Joseph directly, but rather the One to whom Joseph points. Indeed, he tells him, Son to me increased, Joseph, because through that mighty and perfect name the grace of Christ has been enhanced and exalted in the world.

However, it is difficult to accept the notion that Joseph is the younger son, given that Benjamin is born after him (Genesis 30:22-24, Genesis 35:16-18)—unless we consider that Joseph is younger in his father's wisdom.

He who, in the third interpretation, has been renewed and elevated through various spiritual stages, ascends to the stature of Joseph, who through his exceptional faith and the gifts of the Holy Spirit reached a height that drew envy from others. What splendid fruits of words will adorn the one who, upon completing a good deed and fulfilling his journey, having remained steadfast in faith, receives from God, the righteous Judge, the promised crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8). His father also declares, “A fruitful son, Joseph, a fruitful son.” For who else has been so renewed that after experiencing error and downfall, he could again be restored and gradually rise through each level of virtue to achieve the highest honor? As he advances step by step, he is described as increasing. First, he grew in Judah through the profession of faith. Then, he flourished in Zebulun when he abandoned the deeds of darkness (Romans 12:13). He advanced in Issachar as the rewards of his labors multiplied. He matured in Dan, demonstrating discernment in decision-making. He developed in Gad by resisting temptation. Ultimately, he thrived in Asher by attaining bliss. Consequently, Joseph is acknowledged as an elevated son who will inherit the blessings of the age to come (Romans 6:5). He is also labeled a son who inspires jealousy—one whose goodness provokes admiration and whose righteousness elicits envy and hostility among the wicked. The apostle distinguishes between good and bad jealousy, noting the corrupt envy of the Jews, “They are jealous for you in a negative way” (Galatians 4:17), while expressing his own good jealousy, “I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God” (2 Corinthians 11:2). Furthermore, he is referred to as a younger son: indeed, why should he not be seen as such by one who has cast off his former self through his actions (Ephesians 4:22), who has been raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1), and who walks in newness of life (Romans 6:4)? The new creation (Ephesians 4:24) is entitled to be called a son three times, as his first birth was physical; the second occurred during his conversion or baptism, and the third is known as regeneration, which is the resurrection from the dead.