Genesis 27:41-46

41 Now Esau 1hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, 2"The days of mourning for my father are approaching; 3then I will kill my brother Jacob."
42 But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, "Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you.
43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran
44 and stay with him a while, until your brother's fury turns away--
45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereft of you both in one day?"
46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, 4"I loathe my life because of the Hittite women.[a]5If Jacob marries one of the Hittite women like these, one of the women of the land, what good will my life be to me?"

Genesis 27:41-46 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 5

  • 1. [Genesis 37:4]
  • 2. Genesis 50:3, 4, 10
  • 3. [Amos 1:11; Obadiah 10]
  • 4. Genesis 26:34, 35; Genesis 28:8
  • 5. Genesis 24:3

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew daughters of Heth
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.