Genesis 27:3

3 So take your bow and arrows and go hunting in the field for an animal for me to eat.

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 When Isaac was old, his eyesight was poor, so he could not see clearly. One day he called his older son Esau to him and said, "Son." Esau answered, "Here I am."
2 Isaac said, "I am old and don't know when I might die.
3 So take your bow and arrows and go hunting in the field for an animal for me to eat.
4 When you prepare the tasty food that I love, bring it to me, and I will eat. Then I will bless you before I die."
5 So Esau went out in the field to hunt. Rebekah was listening as Isaac said this to his son Esau.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.