Genesis 27:38-46

38 Esau continued to plead with his father: "Do you have only one blessing, father? Bless me too, father!" He began to cry. ¹

39 Then Isaac said to him, ² "No dew from heaven for you, No fertile fields for you.

40 You will live by your sword, ³ But be your brother's slave. Yet when you rebel, You will break away from his control."

41 Esau hated Jacob, because his father had given Jacob the blessing. He thought, "The time to mourn my father's death is near; then I will kill Jacob."

42 But when Rebecca heard about Esau's plan, she sent for Jacob and said, "Listen, your brother Esau is planning to get even with you and kill you. ⁴

43 Now, son, do what I say. Go at once to my brother Laban in Haran,

44 and stay with him for a while, until your brother's anger cools down

45 and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send someone to bring you back. Why should I lose both of my sons on the same day?"

46 Rebecca said to Isaac, "I am sick and tired of Esau's foreign wives. If Jacob also marries one of these Hittites, I might as well die."

Genesis 27:38-46 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

• 1. 27.38Hebrews 12.17.
• 2. 27.39, 40Hebrews 11.20.
• 3. 27.40Genesis 36.8; 2 K 8.20.
• 4. +227.42Wisdom 10.10.

Footnotes

• [a]. rebel; [or] grow restless.