The Rabbis of the Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) take this idea and run with it, suggesting that Jacob and Moses, in their own ways, foreshadowed the battles between the tribes of Israel and the future empires that would rise and fall. It's like a cosmic chess game, played out across generations!
How did they do this? According to the Midrash, Jacob and Moses each "paired two with two," matching up tribes with the kingdoms that would eventually challenge Israel. First, we have Judah, likened to a lion ("Judah is a lion cub," Genesis 49:9), paired against the kingdom of Babylon, which is also likened to a lion ("The first was like a lion," Daniel 7:4). It’s symbolism layered upon symbolism! And who brought down Babylon? None other than Daniel, a descendant of Judah. Coincidence? The Midrash certainly doesn't think so!
Next, Benjamin, described as a "wolf that mauls" (Genesis 49:27), is paired with the kingdom of Media. Now, this is where it gets interesting. The Book of Daniel (7:5) describes a second beast resembling a bear [ledov]. Rabbi Ḥanina points out that the word ledov is written in a way that it can be read as dev, which in Aramaic means "wolf." Clever. Rabbi Yoḥanan further supports this interpretation, citing (Jeremiah 5:6), where Babylon is a lion and Media is a wolf. And who brought down the kingdom of Media? Mordechai, a descendant of Benjamin.
Then there's Levi, the third tribe, matched against the kingdom of Greece, the third kingdom in Daniel's vision. The Midrash notes that both "Levi" and "Greece" (Yavan in Hebrew) have three letters. It continues with a series of parallels: the priests of Levi sound horns (shofarot), the Greeks sound trumpets; the priests wear hats, the Greeks wear helmets. And despite being few in number, the Levites (through the Hasmoneans) triumphed over the many Greeks. This victory, the Midrash suggests, was due to Moses's blessing: "Crush the loins of those who rise against him" (Deuteronomy 33:11).
Finally, we have Joseph, paired with the kingdom of Edom (often seen as a symbol of Rome). Both have horns – Joseph as the "firstborn bull" (Deuteronomy 33:17) and Edom with "ten horns" (Daniel 7:20). The Midrash contrasts Joseph's rejection of licentiousness and respect for his father with Edom's embrace of immorality and disrespect. Joseph feared God, while Edom (specifically Amalek, a descendant of Esau) did not. So, who will defeat Edom? The Midrash tells us it will be the one anointed for war, the Messiah from the line of Joseph. Rabbi Pinḥas, quoting Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman, adds that tradition holds that only Rachel's descendants can defeat Esau, referring to them as "the young of the flock" (Jeremiah 49:20) because they are the youngest of the tribes.
What does it all mean? This passage from Bereshit Rabbah isn't just a history lesson. It's a powerful statement about divine providence, about the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. It suggests that the seeds of our destiny are sown long before we even realize it, and that even in the darkest times, there is a plan unfolding. And perhaps, most importantly, that the virtues of our ancestors can be a source of strength and ultimate triumph in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What seeds are we sowing today? What future are we shaping with our actions?
“For the Lord God will not do anything, [unless He has revealed His secret to His servants the prophets]” (Amos 3:7) – Jacob paired two with two, and Moses paired two with two.6They paired two of the tribes against two of the kingdoms that will conquer Israel. Judah opposite the kingdom of Babylon – this one was likened to a lion and that one was likened to a lion. This one was likened to a lion: “Judah is a lion cub” (Genesis 49:9); and that one was likened to a lion: “The first was like a lion” (Daniel 7:4). Into the hands of whom would the kingdom of Babylon fall? Into the hands of Daniel, who descended from Judah. Benjamin opposite the kingdom of Media – this one was likened to a wolf, and that one was likened to a wolf. This one was likened to a wolf: “Benjamin is a wolf that mauls” (Genesis 49:27); and that one was likened to a wolf: “Behold another, a second beast, resembling a bear [ledov]” (Daniel 7:5) – Rabbi Ḥanina said: Ledov is written, but it was called dev.7The word dov, bear, is sometimes written with a vav. In this instance it is written without a vav, such that it can be read dev, which is Aramaic for ze’ev, wolf. Thus, the midrash is saying that Media is compared to a wolf. This is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yoḥanan, as Rabbi Yoḥanan said: “Therefore, a lion from the forest smote them” (Jeremiah 5:6) – this is Babylon; “a wolf of the deserts will plunder them” (Jeremiah 5:6) – this is Media. Into the hands of whom did the kingdom of Media fall? Into the hands of Mordekhai, who descended from Benjamin. Levi opposite the kingdom of Greece – this one is the third tribe, and that one is the third kingdom.8The third of the four kingdoms in the vision of Daniel (Daniel, ch. 7). This one has three letters, and that one has three letters.9Levi and Greece [Yavan] are each spelled with three letters in Hebrew. These sound horns,10The priests, from the tribe of Levi, would sound the shofar when sacrificing offerings. and those sound trumpets.11The Greeks would sound trumpets when going out to war. These wear hats,12The reference is to the headdresses that were part of the priestly vestments. and those wear helmets. These wear trousers, and those wear knee breeches. Those13The Greeks are many in number, and these are few in number. The many came and fell into the hand of the few. By what merit? It was due to the blessing of Moses, who said: “Crush the loins of those who rise against him” (Deuteronomy 33:11). Into whose hands did the kingdom of Greece fall? Into the hands of the Hasmoneans, who were from Levi. Joseph opposite the kingdom of Edom – this one has horns, and that one has horns. This one has horns – “the firstborn bull is his majesty” (Deuteronomy 33:17); and that one has horns – “and concerning the ten horns that were on its head” (Daniel 7:20). This one forsook licentiousness, and that one cleaves to licentiousness. This one was scrupulous regarding his father’s honor, and that one demeaned his father’s honor.14Joseph heeded his father and went to check on his brothers even though he knew they hated him (Genesis 37:13–14). The nation of Edom descends from Esau, who said: “The days of mourning for my father will approach, and I will kill my brother Jacob” (Genesis 27:41). Thus, Esau was looking forward to his father dying so that he could kill Jacob. Of this one it is stated: “I fear God” (Genesis 42:18); of that one it is stated: “And he did not fear God” (Deuteronomy 25:18).15This is stated in reference to Amalek, who descended from Esau. Into whose hands will the kingdom [of Edom] fall? Into the hands of the one anointed for war, who comes from Joseph.16The messiah, son of Joseph. Rabbi Pinḥas in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: There is a tradition that Esau will fall only into the hands of Rachel’s descendants. That is what is written: “[Therefore, hear the schemes of the Lord that He has devised against Edom…] will the young of the flock not drag them?” (Jeremiah 49:20). Why does he call them the young of the flock? Because they are the youngest of the tribes.
