Genesis 27 41

Genesis 27:41 kjv

And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Genesis 27:41 nkjv

So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob."

Genesis 27:41 niv

Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."

Genesis 27:41 esv

Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob."

Genesis 27:41 nlt

From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. And Esau began to scheme: "I will soon be mourning my father's death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob."

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 41 meaning

Genesis 27:41 reveals the intense and deep-seated animosity Esau harbored toward his twin brother, Jacob. This hatred stemmed directly from Jacob's deceptive act of stealing Esau's patriarchal blessing. The verse records Esau's private, premeditated vow to kill Jacob, a plan he intended to execute once their father, Isaac, had passed away and the customary period of mourning was complete. This demonstrates a bitter and vengeful heart, set on fratricide.

Genesis 27 41 Context

Genesis 27:41 occurs immediately after Isaac's two sons, Esau and Jacob, encounter him in quick succession following Jacob's deception. In the preceding verses (Gen 27:1-29), Jacob, at Rebekah's instigation, cunningly masquerades as Esau to receive the patriarchal blessing from their blind father, Isaac. When Esau returns from hunting (Gen 27:30-38) and discovers the deception, his "bitter cry" and realization that he has lost both his birthright (sold in Gen 25:29-34) and his blessing fills him with immense rage. Isaac's subsequent blessing for Esau is far less significant, only affirming his reliance on the sword and serving Jacob (Gen 27:39-40), which further fuels Esau's fury.

This immediate family context is steeped in patriarchal traditions where blessings were seen as divinely powerful and largely irrevocable, securing the recipient's future and standing. Esau, as the firstborn, held expectations of primogeniture. The "stolen" blessing violated natural order and family trust.

More broadly, this conflict fulfills the prophetic word given to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23, where the Lord declared that "two nations" were within her womb and "the older shall serve the younger." This divine election of Jacob over Esau, a repeated theme in Genesis (e.g., Isaac over Ishmael), sets the stage for the later national animosity between Israel (Jacob) and Edom (Esau). Esau's hatred is not just personal but also marks the beginning of a centuries-long rivalry. His internal plot in this verse necessitates Jacob's immediate flight from home, leading to years of separation and the dramatic story of Jacob's own family formation.

Genesis 27 41 Word analysis

• And Esau hated (וַיִּשְׂטֹם֙ עֵשָׂו֮ - vayyiśṭōm ʿēśāw): The Hebrew verb śāṭam (שָׂטַם) denotes a deep, enduring animosity, a settled grudge or ill-will. It implies an internal, festering bitterness that goes beyond momentary anger. This is a foundational enmity, suggesting a complete rupture in their brotherly bond. It signifies a profound and dangerous malice, not simply disappointment or resentment, but a fixed, malevolent intention.

• Jacob (יַעֲקֹ֔ב - Yaʿăqōḇ): The name "Jacob" means "heel-grasper" or "deceiver." In this moment, it profoundly reflects his character and the method by which he obtained the blessing, further justifying, in Esau's mind, his intent.

• because of the blessing (עַל־הַבְּרָכָ֖ה - ʿal-habberākāh): Berākāh (בְּרָכָה) signifies a powerful, divine pronouncement conveying prosperity, status, and divine favor. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a patriarchal blessing was a potent, almost tangible, transfer of authority and destiny. It was considered binding and irrevocable. For Esau, its loss was catastrophic, defining his perceived diminished future.

• with which his father had blessed him (אֲשֶׁר־בֵּרְכ֥וֹ אָבִֽיו - ʾăšer-bērkō ʾāḇīw): This highlights the legitimacy and gravity of the blessing despite the deception. It was Isaac's authoritative act, making Esau's sense of loss all the more profound and final.

• and Esau said in his heart (וַיֹּ֣אמֶר עֵשָׂו֮ בְּלִבּוֹ֮ - vayyōʾmer ʿēśāw bilibbō): Bĕliḇbō (בְּלִבּוֹ) means "in his innermost being" or "to himself." This emphasizes premeditation, a private, covert resolve. It's a significant detail because it shows his intent was not a spontaneous outburst but a deliberate, reasoned decision made internally, hiding his true intentions from others. This inner thought reveals the depth of his evil plan and the hidden danger Jacob faced.

• The days of mourning for my father are at hand (קָרְב֞וּ יְמֵי־אֵ֤בֶל אָבִי֙ - qārĕḇū yəmē-ʾēḇel ʾāḇī): ʾĒḇel (אֵבֶל) denotes a formal, customary period of mourning following death, suggesting several days or weeks of dedicated grief. Esau's decision to wait implies a measure of respect for his father (not wanting to grieve him by killing his brother during his lifetime) or practical cunning, perhaps fearing Isaac's intervention. It implies a calculated delay until the time would be "safe" for him. Isaac lives for many more years, making Esau's estimation premature and showing divine intervention.

• then I will kill (וְאַֽהַרְגָה֙ - wəʾahargāh): From the verb hārag (הָרַג), meaning "to slay" or "murder." This is a definitive and direct statement of intent. It is not merely a threat or a wish, but a firm resolution to take Jacob's life.

• my brother Jacob (יַעֲקֹ֥ב אָחִֽי - Yaʿăqōḇ ʾāḥī): The repetition of "brother" underscores the horrific nature of the plan. It's not a stranger or an enemy he intends to slay, but his own kin, emphasizing the profound rupture of family bonds and the ultimate act of betrayal.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "hated Jacob because of the blessing... said in his heart": This progression reveals the cause (the blessing), the recipient (Jacob), the depth of feeling (hatred), and the internal nature of the malicious plot. Esau's internal disposition transitions from bitter hatred to a deliberate murderous plan. The focus shifts from emotional reaction to premeditated action.
  • "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob": This phrase ties Esau's murderous intention directly to a specific future event, Isaac's death, highlighting both a strategic delay and the enduring authority of the patriarch even in his declining years. It underscores a calculated, opportune moment for revenge. It also showcases a potential mix of filial piety (waiting for Isaac's passing) and sinister opportunism (seizing the moment of societal vulnerability and familial grief to exact his revenge).

Genesis 27 41 Bonus section

• Divine Foreknowledge vs. Human Free Will: This verse highlights the tension. God had declared Jacob would be served by Esau (Gen 25:23). Esau's choice to hate and plot murder is his own sinful response, yet it aligns with and even helps to fulfill God's predetermined plan by forcing Jacob's journey to Padan Aram where he forms his family and experiences God's faithfulness directly.
• Consequences of Deception: While Esau is clearly depicted as evil for his murderous intent, this verse is a stark reminder of the painful consequences Jacob faces for his own deception. The fear, flight, and prolonged separation from his family become his immediate fruits.
• Significance of the "Heart": The phrase "said in his heart" prefigures later biblical teachings on the importance of internal thoughts and intentions. As Christ taught, hatred in the heart is akin to murder (Matt 5:21-22). Esau's inward plotting reveals a severe spiritual corruption.
• Literary Parallelism: This instance of sibling hatred and plotting echoes the first instance of fratricide between Cain and Abel (Gen 4:5-8), underscoring the pervasive nature of sin and the tragic breakdown of familial bonds in Genesis.
• God's Protection: Although Esau harbors this deadly intent for years, he never succeeds in killing Jacob. When they eventually meet, it is not Esau's plot that prevails, but God's protection and surprising grace leading to a moment of reconciliation (Gen 33:4), even if temporary on Esau's part.

Genesis 27 41 Commentary

Genesis 27:41 captures a pivotal moment of intense bitterness and premeditated violence in the patriarchal narrative. Esau's deep-seated hatred for Jacob, ignited by the theft of his blessing, demonstrates the destructive power of unresolved anger and perceived injustice. His internal vow to kill Jacob reflects a heart consumed by envy and vengeance, marking a dangerous escalation from sibling rivalry to murderous intent. The decision to await Isaac's death underscores both Esau's complex relationship with his father and a cold, calculating resolve for vengeance at a seemingly opportune moment. This verse vividly portrays human depravity, where natural fraternal love is poisoned by deceit and avarice. Furthermore, it sets the immediate stage for Jacob's flight, demonstrating God's hidden providence at work to protect Jacob, as this divine election would be sustained even amidst human sin and violence.