Genesis 27:3

3 Take your bow and arrows, go out into the country, and kill an animal for me.

Genesis 27:3 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 27:3

Now therefore, take, I pray thee, thy weapons
Or "thy vessels", or "instruments" F14, his instruments of hunting: as thy quiver and thy bow;
the former is the vessel or instrument, in which arrows were put and carried, and has its name in the Hebrew language from its being hung at the girdle, though another word is more commonly used for a quiver; and Onkelos and Jarchi interpret this of a sword; and which is not disapproved of by Aben Ezra and Ben Melech, who explain it either a quiver or a sword; and the latter was as necessary for hunting as the former, see ( Genesis 27:40 ) ; and such a sword may be meant, as Mr. Fuller observes F15, which we call a "hanger" (i.e. a small sword often worn by seamen); and of the bow being an instrument of hunting, not anything need be said: and go out to the field, and take me [some] venison;
this does not necessarily intend what we commonly call so, but anything hunted in the field, as hares, wild goats and indeed the latter seems to be what Isaac loved, by the preparation Rebekah afterwards made.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Kylk) "instrumenta tua", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "vasa tua", Vatablus.
F15 Miscell. Sacr. l. 1. c. 17.

Genesis 27:3 In-Context

1 Isaac was now old and had become blind. He sent for his older son Esau and said to him, "Son!" "Yes," he answered.
2 Isaac said, "You see that I am old and may die soon.
3 Take your bow and arrows, go out into the country, and kill an animal for me.
4 Cook me some of that tasty food that I like, and bring it to me. After I have eaten it, I will give you my final blessing before I die."
5 While Isaac was talking to Esau, Rebecca was listening. So when Esau went out to hunt,
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.