Genesis 27:35-45

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.”
41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”
42 When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you.
43 Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran.
44 Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides.
45 When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him, I’ll send word for you to come back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?”

Genesis 27:35-45 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 27

  • 1. Jeremiah 9:4; Jeremiah 12:6
  • 2. ver 19,45
  • 3. S Genesis 25:26
  • 4. Genesis 29:25; Genesis 31:20,26; Genesis 34:13; 1 Samuel 28:12
  • 5. S Genesis 25:33
  • 6. Hebrews 12:16-17
  • 7. S ver 28; Deuteronomy 16:13; Ezra 6:9; Isaiah 16:10; Jeremiah 40:12
  • 8. 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
  • 9. Hebrews 11:20
  • 10. ver 28
  • 11. Genesis 36:6
  • 12. 2 Samuel 8:14
  • 13. S Genesis 9:25; Genesis 25:23
  • 14. 2 Kings 8:20-22
  • 15. Genesis 37:4; Genesis 49:23; Genesis 50:15; 1 Samuel 17:28
  • 16. Genesis 31:17; Genesis 32:11; Hosea 10:14
  • 17. Genesis 50:4,10; Numbers 20:29
  • 18. ver 42
  • 19. Obadiah 1:10
  • 20. Genesis 32:3,11; Genesis 33:4
  • 21. ver 41
  • 22. S ver 8
  • 23. S Genesis 24:29
  • 24. S Genesis 11:31
  • 25. Genesis 31:38,41
  • 26. S ver 35
  • 27. S Genesis 26:3

Footnotes 1

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