Genesis 27:30-40

30 After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting.
31 He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, “My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”
32 His father Isaac asked him, “Who are you?” “I am your son,” he answered, “your firstborn, Esau.”
33 Isaac trembled violently and said, “Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed!”
34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!”
35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”
36 Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob[a] ? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”
37 Isaac answered Esau, “I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?”
38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.
39 His father Isaac answered him, “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above.
40 You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.”

Genesis 27:30-40 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 27

In this chapter we are informed, that Isaac, being old and dim sighted, sent for Esau to get him venison, that he might eat of it, and bless him before he died, Ge 27:1-4; that Rebekah hearing of this formed a scheme for Jacob to get the blessing before him, which she communicated to Jacob, to which he at first objected, but afterwards complied, Ge 27:5-17; and also how that he succeeded in the attempt, and got the blessing from his brother, Ge 27:18-29; and that this was confirmed to him by his father, even when his mistake was discovered upon Esau's coming, Ge 27:30-33; which occasioned a most bitter cry in Esau, a severe reflection on his brother, and an earnest expostulation with his father for a blessing, which he obtained, Ge 27:34-40; the consequence of this were hatred in Esau to Jacob, and an intention to kill him, which Rebekah hearing of, advised Jacob to flee to her brother Laban, Ge 27:41-45; and to facilitate this, complains to Isaac of Esau's wives, and suggests, that should Jacob marry among the same people, it would add to the distress of their lives; and therefore hints it to him, that it was necessary and proper he should go to her family for a wife, Ge 27:46; and whether Isaac sent him, as the following chapter shows.

Cross References 21

  • 1. S ver 4
  • 2. ver 18
  • 3. ver 19
  • 4. ver 35
  • 5. S ver 29; Genesis 28:3,4; Romans 11:29
  • 6. Hebrews 12:17
  • 7. Exodus 12:32
  • 8. Jeremiah 9:4; Jeremiah 12:6
  • 9. ver 19,45
  • 10. S Genesis 25:26
  • 11. Genesis 29:25; Genesis 31:20,26; Genesis 34:13; 1 Samuel 28:12
  • 12. S Genesis 25:33
  • 13. Hebrews 12:16-17
  • 14. S ver 28; Deuteronomy 16:13; Ezra 6:9; Isaiah 16:10; Jeremiah 40:12
  • 15. Genesis 29:11; Numbers 14:1; Judges 2:4; Judges 21:2; Ruth 1:9; 1 Samuel 11:4; 1 Samuel 30:4; Hebrews 12:17
  • 16. Hebrews 11:20
  • 17. ver 28
  • 18. Genesis 36:6
  • 19. 2 Samuel 8:14
  • 20. S Genesis 9:25; Genesis 25:23
  • 21. 2 Kings 8:20-22

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. "Jacob" means "he grasps the heel" , a Hebrew idiom for "he takes advantage of" or "he deceives" .
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