Genesis 27 31

Genesis 27:31 kjv

And he also had made savory meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.

Genesis 27:31 nkjv

He also had made savory food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that your soul may bless me."

Genesis 27:31 niv

He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, "My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing."

Genesis 27:31 esv

He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me."

Genesis 27:31 nlt

Esau prepared a delicious meal and brought it to his father. Then he said, "Sit up, my father, and eat my wild game so you can give me your blessing."

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 31 meaning

Genesis 27:31 describes the climactic moment of Jacob's deception, where he, impersonating Esau, presents "savory food" to his blind father Isaac and demands the pre-arranged blessing. Jacob urges Isaac to partake of the meal prepared from "his son's game," with the explicit purpose of receiving the profound patriarchal blessing, sealing the deception and the transfer of the elder son's privilege to the younger.

Genesis 27 31 Context

Genesis chapter 27 focuses on Isaac's desire to bless his firstborn son, Esau, and Rebekah's manipulative scheme to secure that blessing for Jacob. Isaac, old and blind, requests Esau to hunt game and prepare a savory meal so he might impart a blessing before his death. Rebekah overhears this and instructs Jacob to prepare similar food from their flock, intending to have him impersonate Esau. Despite Jacob's initial hesitation, fearing discovery due to his smooth skin contrasting with Esau's hairiness, Rebekah covers his hands and neck with goat skins and dresses him in Esau's clothing. Verse 31 represents the critical point where Jacob completes his task and demands the blessing, just moments before the true Esau arrives from his hunt. This entire chapter highlights themes of familial tension, deception, and divine sovereignty working through flawed human actions. The patriarchal culture placed immense importance on the spoken word of the dying patriarch, which carried weight equivalent to a legal and spiritual inheritance.

Genesis 27 31 Word analysis

• וַיָּבֵא גַם־הוּא (vayyāvē gam-hûʾ) – "And he also brought him"

  • וַיָּבֵא (vayyāvē): "And he brought." This is a Waw-conversive imperfect verb, denoting sequential action. It emphasizes Jacob's continuation of the plan, a direct outcome of Rebekah's initiative.
  • גַם־הוּא (gam-hûʾ): "He also." The inclusion of "also" (gam) creates a subtle dramatic irony. It suggests that just as Isaac had anticipated Esau's return, Jacob also arrived. The narrative structure places a chilling emphasis on this second "bringing," knowing that the real "he also" (Esau) is just around the corner, heightening tension.

• מַטְעַמִּים (maṭʿammîm) – "savory food" or "delicacies"

  • From the root טעם (ṭaʿam), meaning "to taste." This word specifically denotes highly flavored, choice, or palatable food. It mirrors the exact request Isaac made to Esau, indicating Jacob's precise execution of the deceitful plan to fulfill Isaac's specific desire for a favorite meal. This food is the catalyst for the blessing, representing sensory appeal used for spiritual gain.

• לְאָבִיו (ləʾāvîw) – "to his father"

  • Indicates the direct recipient of both the food and the subsequent plea. It underscores the intimacy and familial relationship being exploited in this act of deception.

• וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל־אָבִיו (vayyōʾmer ʾel-ʾāvîw) – "and he said to his father"

  • וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyōʾmer): "And he said." Continues the sequential narrative flow.
  • אֶל־אָבִיו (ʾel-ʾāvîw): "To his father." Again highlights the intimate address, but the voice itself contributes to Isaac's doubt and ultimate acceptance of the lie.

• יָקֻם אָבִי (yāqum ʾāvî) – "Let my father arise"

  • יָקֻם (yāqum): "Let him arise." This is a Jussive form, expressing a command or strong wish. Jacob is not asking but confidently directing Isaac, further embodying the expected assertiveness of Esau. It implies an invitation to move from a reclining position (perhaps due to old age or waiting) to a more upright one, signifying readiness for the sacred act.

• וְיֹאכַל מִצֵּיד בְּנוֹ (vəyōʾḵal mittseyd bənô) – "and eat of his son’s game"

  • וְיֹאכַל (vəyōʾḵal): "And let him eat." Also Jussive, a command or strong suggestion.
  • מִצֵּיד בְּנוֹ (mittseyd bənô): "from the hunting/prey of his son." This phrase directly appeals to Isaac's expectation from Esau, the hunter. The use of "his son's game" rather than just "my game" or "my hunt" subtly maintains the impersonation, emphasizing Esau's role as the provider. It links the material act (eating the food) directly to the source, solidifying Isaac's false belief.

• לְמַעַן תְּבָרְכֵנִי נַפְשֶׁךָ (ləmaʿan tēḇārḵēnî nap̄šěḵā) – "that your soul may bless me"

  • לְמַעַן (ləmaʿan): "in order that," "for the purpose of." This particle introduces the clear objective of Jacob's actions. It explicitly states his motivation for the entire elaborate charade: the blessing.
  • תְּבָרְכֵנִי (tēḇārḵēnî): "may you bless me." This is a consecutive imperfect, signifying the purpose. The blessing sought here is not just a kind word but a divinely ratified, binding pronouncement conveying power, prosperity, and destiny, characteristic of a patriarchal blessing.
  • נַפְשֶׁךָ (nap̄šěḵā): "your soul" or "yourself." In Hebrew thought, the "soul" (nephesh) often represents the very essence of a person, their vital force, mind, and being. Jacob desires Isaac's full, spiritual, and embodied blessing—a profound pronouncement from the depths of his father's being. This highlights the weight and finality of such a blessing.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And he also brought him savory food, and he brought it to his father": The parallelism of "he brought" twice underscores the completion of the physical act of delivering the food. The "he also" highlights the deception being completed before the intended person (Esau) arrived, building narrative tension.
  • "and said to his father, 'Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.'": This phrase is the culmination of the deceit. Jacob confidently presents the prepared food and issues commands, fully embodying Esau. The purpose clause, "that your soul may bless me," clarifies that every step taken, from the deceit to the prepared food, was meticulously orchestrated for the singular goal of obtaining Isaac's patriarchal blessing, emphasizing its immense value and perceived power in their cultural context.

Genesis 27 31 Bonus section

The story of Jacob's deception, particularly in Gen 27:31, implicitly highlights the incredible significance placed on spoken blessings in the ancient Near East, which were seen as having intrinsic power and a spiritual, unalterable nature once pronounced. It also presents a stark contrast between human attempts to manipulate destiny and divine sovereignty. Jacob's conniving acquisition of the blessing, rather than patiently waiting for God to fulfill His word, results in immediate family fracturing and a long period of exile and hardship for Jacob. This verse sets in motion a chain of events that impacts not only Jacob and Esau but also their descendants, illustrating the far-reaching consequences of deceptive actions, even if they align with God's ultimate, unrevealed plan.

Genesis 27 31 Commentary

Genesis 27:31 serves as the dramatic crescendo of Jacob's deception. With careful precision, Jacob executes the plan laid out by Rebekah, delivering the savory meal and uttering the pivotal words that aim to extract Isaac's binding blessing. This moment encapsulates the profound irony and tension of the narrative: Jacob confidently makes the demand for the blessing, presenting himself as the son whom Isaac desired to bless, while the true recipient is moments away. The significance of "savory food" lies in its direct fulfillment of Isaac's specific request, signaling Jacob's thoroughness in deception. The request "that your soul may bless me" underlines the perceived spiritual power and the non-retractable nature of a patriarchal blessing. Despite Jacob's deceitful methods, this act ironically paves the way for God's sovereign plan to bless the younger son, Jacob, fulfilling the prophecy given to Rebekah (Gen 25:23). This passage does not endorse Jacob's deception but rather shows God's ability to work through imperfect human choices to accomplish His divine purposes.