Genesis 27:31

31 He also had prepared a hearty meal. He came to his father and said, "Let my father get up and eat of his son's game, that he may give me his personal blessing."

Genesis 27:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 27:31

And he also made savoury meat, and brought it unto his
father
Which was made of real venison, or of creatures taken in hunting, and not like Jacob's, made of other flesh, in imitation of it; for what the Jewish writers F1 say is not to be regarded, that he was hindered from getting true venison, by angels loosing the deer he bound; still less what the Targum of Jonathan says, that he killed a dog, made savoury meat of it, and brought it to his father: and said unto his father, let my father arise, and eat of his son's
venison, that thy soul may bless me;
this address is made by Esau to his father in a very respectful manner, as became a dutiful son to an aged and honoured parent; who in obedience to his command had prepared agreeable food for him, and now brought it to him, in order to receive his blessing, which he had himself proposed to give him upon it.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 67. fol. 59. 3.

Genesis 27:31 In-Context

29 May peoples serve you and nations honor you. You will master your brothers, and your mother's sons will honor you. Those who curse you will be cursed, those who bless you will be blessed.
30 And then right after Isaac had blessed Jacob and Jacob had left, Esau showed up from the hunt.
31 He also had prepared a hearty meal. He came to his father and said, "Let my father get up and eat of his son's game, that he may give me his personal blessing."
32 His father Isaac said, "And who are you?" "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau."
33 Isaac started to tremble, shaking violently. He said, "Then who hunted game and brought it to me? I finished the meal just now, before you walked in. And I blessed him - he's blessed for good!"
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.