Genesis 27:3

3 Take thine arms (Take thy weapons), (an) arrow case, and a bow, and go out; and when thou hast taken anything by hunting,

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 Forsooth Isaac waxed eld, and his eyes dimmed, and he might not see. And he called Esau, his more son, and said to him, My son! Which answered, I am present. (And Isaac grew old, and his eyes dimmed, and he could not see. And he called his elder son Esau, and said to him, My son! And he answered, I am here.)
2 To whom the father said, Thou seest that I have waxed eld, and I know not the day of my death .
3 Take thine arms (Take thy weapons), (an) arrow case, and a bow, and go out; and when thou hast taken anything by hunting,
4 make me a stew thereof, as thou knowest that I will, and bring it to me that I eat, (so) that (afterward) my soul (can) bless thee before that I die. (make for me a stew out of it, as thou knowest that I like, and bring it to me so that I can eat it, and then I shall bless thee before that I die.)
5 And when Rebecca had heard this thing, and he had gone forth into the field that he fulfill the behest of his father,
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.