Genesis 27:10 kjv

And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

Genesis 27:10 nkjv

Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death."

Genesis 27:10 niv

Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies."

Genesis 27:10 esv

And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies."

Genesis 27:10 nlt

Then take the food to your father so he can eat it and bless you before he dies."

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 10 Meaning

Genesis 27:10 conveys Rebecca's explicit instruction to Jacob concerning his scheme to obtain Isaac's firstborn blessing. It highlights the direct purpose of the prepared savory food: that Isaac might consume it, and in doing so, bestow upon Jacob the sacred, binding patriarchal blessing typically reserved for the eldest son. The phrase "before his death" emphasizes the critical, timely nature of this act, as such blessings were often considered a father's final, irreversible decree before passing into eternity. This verse is central to the narrative of Jacob's deception and sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan concerning the two nations from Rebecca's womb.

Genesis 27 10 Context

Genesis 27:10 is embedded within a narrative of family dynamics, deception, and the unfolding of divine prophecy. Prior to this verse, Isaac, old and blind, decides to bestow his firstborn blessing upon his favorite son, Esau, and instructs him to hunt for savory food (Gen 27:1-4). Unbeknownst to Isaac, his wife Rebecca, who favored Jacob and was aware of God's prophecy concerning the elder serving the younger (Gen 25:23), overhears this conversation (Gen 27:5). The historical context reveals the immense value and binding nature of a patriarchal blessing in the ancient Near East. These blessings were not mere wishes but declarations believed to carry a spiritual and material transfer of authority, inheritance, and divine favor, often irrevocably sealing a person's destiny. Rebecca's swift action, as detailed from Gen 27:6 onwards, stems from a desire to see God's prophecy fulfilled, albeit through human manipulation and deception rather than waiting on God's perfect timing and means. Verse 10 specifically marks the point where Rebecca gives the direct command to Jacob, initiating his involvement in the deceit.

Genesis 27 10 Word analysis

• Bring (הָבִיא, hāvi): This is an imperative, a direct command from Rebecca to Jacob. It signifies the commencement of their carefully orchestrated plan. The Hebrew term implies "to cause to come" or "to present," indicating the action of Jacob carrying the prepared food.
• it/them: Refers to the "savory food" that Rebecca has just prepared from the flock (Gen 27:9), specifically designed to mimic the wild game Isaac requested from Esau. The choice of "it" or "them" depends on the object referenced, in context, it's the specific dish.
• to your father (אָבִיךָ, ’ā·vî·ḵā): Explicitly names Isaac. This highlights the filial relationship being exploited in the deception. Isaac, as the patriarch, held the authority to bestow the binding blessing.
• that he may eat (יֹאכַל, yō·ḵal): This clause states the immediate purpose of bringing the food. The act of eating a special meal prepared for a specific ritual often symbolized a covenant or solidified a decision in ancient cultures. It was an essential step for the blessing to follow.
• and that he may bless you (וִיבָרֶכְךָ, wî·ḇā·reḵ·ḵā): From the Hebrew root בָּרַךְ (barakh), meaning "to bless." Here, in the Piel stem, it denotes an active, intensive act of blessing, an authoritative pronouncement of divine favor and prosperity. This is the ultimate goal of the deception: to secure the patriarchal blessing for Jacob. The blessing was believed to be efficacious and binding, a transfer of power and destiny.
• before his death (לִפְנֵי מוֹתוֹ, liḵne motho): This phrase emphasizes the urgency and the finality of the act. Such a deathbed blessing was considered irrevocable, a definitive testament to a father's last will regarding his children's future and inheritance. Isaac's advanced age and impaired vision heighten the perception that this would be his last significant act.

Genesis 27 10 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "bless" (barakh) in this context carries a profound weight, suggesting a bestowal of power, prosperity, and authority from a higher source. The patriarchal blessing, as seen throughout Genesis (e.g., Gen 12, 22, 27, 48, 49), was understood as an active pronouncement that literally brought about the declared favor and future. It wasn't merely a wish but a performative utterance. Rebecca's motivation, though perhaps misdirected in its execution, likely stemmed from her knowledge of God's prior declaration to her that "the older will serve the younger" (Gen 25:23). This prophecy, alongside her preference for Jacob, fueled her determination to ensure the 'correct' son received the preeminent blessing. This chapter also indirectly presents a subtle commentary on discerning spiritual truth: Isaac, despite his spiritual role, relies on his physical senses and personal preference for Esau's food, rather than seeking God's specific will for the blessing's recipient, highlighting the vulnerability to being swayed from God's perfect plan.

Genesis 27 10 Commentary

Genesis 27:10 is a pivotal command within the broader narrative of Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Esau, illustrating the critical moment of action for Rebecca's cunning plan. It reveals Rebecca's decisive agency, rooted in her conviction that Jacob, not Esau, was destined for supremacy based on God's earlier prophecy (Gen 25:23). However, her chosen method—deception and manipulation—contrasts sharply with reliance on God's sovereign timing and methods. The cultural weight of a father's deathbed blessing in the ancient world cannot be overstated; it was considered an irrevocable spiritual legacy and a public declaration of one's heir, deeply tied to divine favor and material inheritance. Rebecca's instruction underscores the urgency and finality attached to Isaac's impending pronouncements.

While Jacob ultimately receives the promised blessing, this verse implicitly highlights the theological tension between divine sovereignty and human agency. God's purpose for Jacob to receive the blessing stands, yet the means employed involve deceit, leading to immediate consequences such as family strife, Jacob's exile, and future deceptions (e.g., Laban). The passage teaches that while God works through all circumstances, including human sin, His ultimate will prevails without condoning the unrighteousness used by man.

Examples:

• Decision-making: Though an outcome seems desired, relying on deceit (like Jacob did, prompted by Rebecca) introduces unforeseen hardships and complex ethical dilemmas.
• Trust in God: The verse shows the human temptation to "help" God's plan come to fruition rather than trusting in His perfect timing and method.
• Consequences of actions: Despite the 'blessing' achieved, the ripple effects of this deceptive act profoundly impacted Jacob's life for decades.