Genesis 27 33

Genesis 27:33 kjv

And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

Genesis 27:33 nkjv

Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, "Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him? and indeed he shall be blessed."

Genesis 27:33 niv

Isaac trembled violently and said, "Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him?and indeed he will be blessed!"

Genesis 27:33 esv

Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, "Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed."

Genesis 27:33 nlt

Isaac began to tremble uncontrollably and said, "Then who just served me wild game? I have already eaten it, and I blessed him just before you came. And yes, that blessing must stand!"

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 33 meaning

Genesis 27:33 captures the profound moment of Isaac’s realization that he has been deceived, and has inadvertently blessed Jacob instead of Esau. His "trembling violently" expresses deep shock, distress, and a sense of confronting a divinely orchestrated, unalterable event. His subsequent declaration, "I have blessed him—yes, and he shall be blessed!" signifies his understanding of the irrevocability of the patriarchal blessing, affirming its binding nature despite the deceptive means used to obtain it.

Genesis 27 33 Context

The setting for Genesis 27:33 is a pivotal moment in the patriarchal history, directly following Jacob’s deceptive act of stealing Esau's birthright (though this event directly follows the blessing and precedes the selling of the birthright by some time based on the sequence) blessing from Isaac. Isaac, now old and blind, intended to bestow the sacred patriarchal blessing—a pronouncement of destiny and divine favor—upon his firstborn, Esau, after he brought him a meal of game. Unbeknownst to Isaac, Rebekah had orchestrated a plan for Jacob to impersonate Esau and receive the blessing instead. Jacob, under Rebekah’s direction, brought Isaac a meal prepared from the flock, covered his arms with goat skins, and claimed to be Esau. Isaac, though suspicious of the voice, was convinced by the touch and the smell of Esau's clothing, and consequently, bestowed the irreversible blessing intended for Esau upon Jacob. Verse 33 is the dramatic climax, as Esau returns with his game immediately after Jacob departs, revealing the profound deception and the spiritual weight of the given blessing. The historical and cultural context underscores the immense spiritual and legal significance of a father's deathbed blessing in ancient Near Eastern society, viewed as an irrevocable act that shaped a person's future and destiny.

Word Analysis

• Then Isaac trembled violently:
  • Hebrew: וַיֶּחֱרַד יִצְחָק חֲרָדָה גְּדֹלָה מְאֹד (va-yecherad Yitschak charadah gedolah me'od).
  • Va-yecherad (trembled): Derived from the root חָרַד (kharad), meaning to tremble, to be terrified, to dread. It implies a physical shaking accompanied by great emotional or psychological agitation.
  • Charadah gedolah me'od (a great trembling very much / violently): This phrase emphasizes the intensity of Isaac's reaction. Gedolah means "great," and me'od means "very" or "exceedingly." It indicates not merely a startle but a deep-seated shock and internal upheaval. It suggests a moment of profound, perhaps even existential, dread and recognition. Isaac's entire being is affected as he grasps the gravity of the situation. It may imply a sudden recognition of God's hand in Jacob's receiving the blessing, rather than just anger at the deception.
• and said, ‘Who then is the one who hunted game and brought it to me?
  • This is a rhetorical question born out of utter shock and bewilderment. Isaac is desperately seeking to reconcile the reality of Esau's presence with the blessing he just conferred. The identity of "the one" is already known in his mind, but the shock necessitates the verbal processing of the stark contradiction.
• And I ate all of it before you came,
  • This highlights the timing and completeness of the act. The blessing was pronounced before Esau's arrival, signifying that it cannot be undone. The consumption of "all of it" indicates full acceptance of the meal, making the blessing fully activated and binding from Isaac’s perspective.
• and I have blessed him—yes, and he shall be blessed!’
  • Hebrew: וָאֲבָרְכֵהוּ גַּם־בָּרוּךְ יִהְיֶה (va’avarkēhu gam-baruch yihyeh).
  • Va’avarkēhu (and I blessed him): Simple past tense, stating the accomplished fact.
  • Gam (yes, also, indeed): An emphatic particle here, reinforcing the certainty and permanence. It stresses the finality.
  • Baruch yihyeh (he shall be blessed): Future tense, expressing inevitability. Isaac declares that the blessing is not just already given but will absolutely manifest in Jacob's life. This signifies Isaac’s reluctant yet definitive acceptance of the outcome, suggesting a deeper realization that despite the deception, this was perhaps meant to be. This acceptance by Isaac, who held prophetic authority, irrevocably seals the blessing upon Jacob.

Genesis 27 33 Commentary

Genesis 27:33 marks a profound shift in the narrative and in Isaac’s understanding. Isaac’s violent trembling goes beyond mere human disappointment; it points to a shocking realization of the spiritual implications of the deception. It suggests he sensed God’s sovereign hand orchestrating events to fulfill the divine oracle (Gen 25:23) that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). His declaration, "I have blessed him—yes, and he shall be blessed!", is not a curse of the deceiver but a firm acknowledgment of the irrevocability and divine authority of the blessing he imparted. Despite the means, the outcome aligns with God's ultimate purpose for Jacob to carry the Abrahamic covenant lineage. Isaac's affirmation validates the blessing’s efficacy and establishes its unalterable nature, thereby setting the course for the distinct destinies of Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom) and underscoring that God’s plans prevail even through human imperfections and deceptive acts.

Bonus Section

• The dramatic pause between Jacob's departure and Esau's arrival (less than a chapter verse) is crucial, amplifying the impact of Isaac's shock. The blessing's finality is emphasized by Esau’s swift appearance, sealing Jacob’s success before Esau could object or contest.
• Isaac's trembling can be seen not just as physical and emotional distress but potentially a moment of prophetic terror or insight, as he grappled with the realization that he may have inadvertently participated in God's specific election for Jacob over Esau, despite his own intention. This experience might have brought him into alignment with the divine will, albeit through a painful awakening.
• The incident highlights the sacred, legally binding, and divinely potent nature of patriarchal blessings in ancient Israelite culture, demonstrating that they were not merely well-wishes but powerful pronouncements believed to shape destiny, aligning with God's ongoing covenant work.