Genesis 27 39

Genesis 27:39 kjv

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

Genesis 27:39 nkjv

Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: "Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, And of the dew of heaven from above.

Genesis 27:39 niv

His father Isaac answered him, "Your dwelling will be away from the earth's richness, away from the dew of heaven above.

Genesis 27:39 esv

Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: "Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and away from the dew of heaven on high.

Genesis 27:39 nlt

Finally, his father, Isaac, said to him, "You will live away from the richness of the earth,
and away from the dew of the heaven above.

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 39 meaning

Genesis 27:39 contains Isaac's prophetic words to his son Esau, offered in response to Esau's desperate plea for a blessing. The verse's meaning hinges on the interpretation of key Hebrew prepositions. One dominant interpretation, supported by many modern translations and the historical destiny of Edom, conveys a blessing that is diminished or qualitatively inferior to Jacob's. It suggests Esau's dwelling place will be "away from the richness of the earth" and "away from the dew of heaven," indicating a struggle for sustenance, a less fertile existence, and a life reliant on his own strength rather than divine abundance. Another interpretation reads the phrase as "of the richness of the earth and of the dew of heaven," implying that Esau would still inhabit a land with some fertility and heavenly favor, but that his life would nonetheless be characterized by strife and eventual servitude to his brother as described in the subsequent verse (Gen 27:40). The prevailing understanding, aligning with Esau's narrative, is that his lot, while providing basic existence, lacked the divine plenitude and covenant blessing bestowed upon Jacob.

Genesis 27 39 Context

Genesis chapter 27 describes a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob and Esau, sons of Isaac. Following Jacob's deception, where he disguised himself to receive the blessing intended for the firstborn Esau, Esau returns from hunting. Upon discovering the deception and realizing Jacob has stolen his blessing, Esau cries out bitterly, demanding any remaining blessing from his father, Isaac. In this state of profound distress and tears, Isaac pronounces the words of Gen 27:39. This specific verse stands in direct contrast to the bountiful blessing Isaac gave Jacob earlier in Gen 27:28, highlighting the stark difference in their destinies. Historically and culturally, blessings carried immense weight and were seen as divine decrees influencing future prosperity, lineage, and national identity. The patriarchal blessing was often an articulation of God's chosen path for descendants. This account serves as an origin story, or etiology, for the future relationship and characteristics of the nations descended from Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom), explaining why Edom's territory was often perceived as less fertile and why they often faced a more turbulent existence in opposition to Israel.

Genesis 27 39 Word analysis

• וַיַּעַן (vayya'an): "And he answered." Marks a direct, responsive communication. Highlights Isaac's solemn and formal reply, given Esau's desperate plea.

• יִצְחָק (yitskhak): "Isaac." The patriarch, conduit of the Abrahamic covenant. His words, though possibly forced by the circumstance, carry prophetic weight.

• אָבִיו (aviv): "his father." Emphasizes the relationship and the authority from which the blessing/pronouncement comes.

• וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer): "and he said." Another common verb indicating speech, signifying the formal pronouncement.

• אֵלָיו (elav): "to him" (Esau). Identifies the recipient of Isaac's words, underscoring Esau's direct plea.

• הִנֵּה (hinneh): "Behold," "Indeed." An interjection that draws attention, indicating a significant declaration is about to follow, a formal announcement.

• מִשְׁמַנֵּי (mish'mannei): "from the fatness/richness of" or "of the fatness/richness of." This word, specifically the min (מִן) prefix, is key to the verse's varying interpretations. It can indicate separation ("away from," "from") or source ("of," "from"). The predominant interpretation in translations like ESV/NIV ("away from") views it as privative or denoting a lack, implying Esau's dwelling will lack true richness compared to Jacob's. Another scholarly view, interpreting "from" as 'out of', might suggest a blessing of 'rough' bounty obtained by effort rather than effortless divine flow. Given Edom's later history, the 'away from' or diminished bounty interpretation holds more explanatory power.

• אֶרֶץ (erets): "earth," "land." Refers to the ground and its capacity for fertility. The quality of land was paramount for sustenance in the ancient world.

• יִהְיֶה (yihyeh): "it will be," "shall be." Future tense verb, denoting a prophetic declaration about Esau's future.

• מֹשָׁבֶךָ (moshavkha): "your dwelling place," "your habitation." Refers to where Esau and his descendants will live. This points to the physical territory assigned to him (Edom).

• וּמִטַּל (u-mittan): "and from the dew of" or "and of the dew of." Similar to "mish'mannei", the min (מִן) prefix again drives interpretative difference. Dew was essential for agriculture in semi-arid regions and was a strong symbol of divine blessing and fertility. Its presence or absence spoke volumes about God's favor.

• הַשָּׁמַיִם (hashshamayim): "the heavens," "sky." Source of the dew. Heavens providing dew signifies divine provision and favor.

• מֵעָל (me'al): "from above," "upwards." Emphasizes the source of the dew being from heaven, from a higher realm.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "מִשְׁמַנֵּי אֶרֶץ יִהְיֶה מֹשָׁבֶךָ וּמִטַּל הַשָּׁמַיִם מֵעָל" ("from/of the fatness of the earth shall be your dwelling place, and from/of the dew of heaven from above"): This phrase describes Esau's future home and livelihood. The parallel structure with Jacob's blessing in Gen 27:28 ("heaven’s dew... earth’s richness") is crucial. The ambiguity of "min" (מִן) makes it either a lesser blessing (lack of richness/dew) or a blessing that describes a different, less bountiful source of wealth obtained by strength, rather than God's covenantal blessing of overflowing abundance. Most contemporary biblical scholarship tends towards the former, especially when viewed against Esau/Edom's history of dwelling in drier, rockier land and often being subservient to Israel.

Genesis 27 39 Bonus section

The interpretation of Gen 27:39 highlights the dynamic nature of prophetic fulfillment in the Bible. Regardless of the exact shade of meaning in the Hebrew "min" preposition, the historical reality of Edom (descendants of Esau) aligns remarkably with the harsher interpretation of a diminished blessing. Their homeland, Seir, was largely arid compared to the fertile plains of Canaan, forcing a more nomadic or less agriculturally rich existence, often characterized by brigandage and warfare. This stands in stark contrast to the abundant, covenant-based blessings that accompanied Jacob's lineage. The distinct destinies underscored by Isaac's blessing further affirm the theme of divine election (Rom 9:10-13), not necessarily denying all sustenance to Esau, but withholding the privileged covenantal blessing of absolute prosperity and leadership. Isaac, despite being deceived and in old age, spoke words that proved to be a precise, albeit harsh, prophetic articulation of the future.

Genesis 27 39 Commentary

Isaac's words in Genesis 27:39 mark a moment of profound prophetic significance, sealing the differing destinies of Jacob and Esau. Unlike Jacob's blessing which unequivocally promises "the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine" from God's hand (Gen 27:28), Esau's pronouncement carries an ambiguous and, in the dominant interpretation, diminished quality. If "away from the richness of the earth" is taken as the intended meaning, Isaac foresees a life of less agricultural bounty for Esau and his descendants, meaning their sustenance would not flow from the overflowing generosity of divine providence as Jacob's would. This is not necessarily a curse of barrenness, but rather a descriptive fate for a people whose land would indeed be the mountainous region of Seir (Edom), known for being less fertile than Canaan. Combined with the following verse (Gen 27:40), which promises life "by your sword" and service to Jacob, it paints a picture of a nation (Edom) characterized by struggle, reliance on force, and an ongoing subordinate, yet at times defiant, relationship with Israel. This prophecy would find repeated fulfillment in the history of Edom, notably their periods of subservience to the Davidic kingdom and later rebellions, and the ultimate desolation of their land prophesied by later prophets like Obadiah and Malachi, reflecting God's sovereignty over nations and the distinct nature of covenant blessing.