Patriarchal Government: Exercised in Blessing and Cursing Their Children

…he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”

He also declared: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem.

May God give to you the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth—an abundance of grain and new wine.

May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”

Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come: …