Genesis 27:42 kjv

And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.

Genesis 27:42 nkjv

And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, "Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you.

Genesis 27:42 niv

When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, "Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you.

Genesis 27:42 esv

But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, "Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you.

Genesis 27:42 nlt

But Rebekah heard about Esau's plans. So she sent for Jacob and told him, "Listen, Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you.

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 42 Meaning

Genesis 27:42 reveals Rebekah's immediate and desperate response to the perilous situation caused by Jacob's deception. Having learned that her elder son, Esau, harbored a murderous intent toward his younger brother, Jacob, she swiftly intervenes. Esau was not merely angry but was "comforting himself" with the settled thought of taking revenge by killing Jacob, indicating a deep-seated malice and premeditated resolve, providing him a form of solace in his grief. Rebekah, in turn, acts to protect her favored son, setting in motion Jacob's long journey of exile.

Genesis 27 42 Context

Genesis 27:42 immediately follows Jacob's elaborate deception, orchestrated by Rebekah, to steal the firstborn's blessing from Isaac, a blessing intended for Esau. Esau, returning from his hunt, discovered Jacob's fraud and responded with overwhelming grief and a potent vow of vengeance to kill his brother after their father's inevitable death. This verse reveals the severity of Esau's intent and Rebekah's swift, fear-driven, and protective maternal reaction. The chapter context is one of intense family rivalry, favoritism, manipulation, and the deep-seated consequences of such actions. Historically, the importance of the firstborn's rights and blessings in ancient Near Eastern culture would have made Esau's perceived loss and his resulting rage completely understandable, fitting within the context of blood-vengeance customs where a family member might avenge such a wrong. This immediate threat against Jacob's life necessitates his flight, thus initiating a significant new phase in his life and the patriarchal narrative, and demonstrating how human choices, even sinful ones, are interwoven with God's sovereign plan to establish His chosen line.

Genesis 27 42 Word analysis

• When Rebekah was told: The Hebrew wayyuggad (וַיֻּגַּד), from the root nagad, meaning "to declare, tell." It's in the Niphal (passive) form, emphasizing that the information was delivered to her, highlighting the rapid dissemination of Esau's dangerous pronouncement within the household. It indicates an immediate unfolding of consequences.
• what her elder son Esau had said: Esau's words, recounted in Gen 27:41, were explicit. His intent to kill Jacob was not a fleeting thought but a stated purpose, overheard and then relayed to Rebekah. The mention of "elder son Esau" underscores the intense rivalry and the significant breach of brotherhood.
• she sent for her younger son Jacob: This highlights Rebekah's immediate, decisive, and protective action. As the architect of the deception, she feels an urgent responsibility to safeguard her favored son from the peril she indirectly caused. It reflects a mother's quick discernment of danger and readiness to intervene.
• 'Your brother Esau is comforting himself with thoughts of taking revenge on you.' This is a critical phrase:
  • "comforting himself": The Hebrew mitnakhem (מִתְנַחֵם), a Hithpael participle from the root nakham (נָחַם). This form is highly significant. It implies a self-directed action, seeking solace, taking comfort, or settling one's mind. Esau wasn't just momentarily enraged; he was actively brooding over his grievance, finding a sense of resolution or grim satisfaction in the idea of revenge. This denotes a deep, brooding, and settled malevolence, not just impulsive anger.
  • "with thoughts of taking revenge on you": Literally, "to kill you" (la-harogka, לַהֲרָגְךָ), an infinitive construct of the verb harag (הָרַג), meaning "to kill" or "slay." The intent is lethal and absolute. The English "revenge" accurately captures the motivation behind the killing, rooted in his immense grievance over the stolen blessing. This makes the threat utterly concrete and immediate, necessitating Jacob's flight.

Genesis 27 42 Bonus section

The revelation of Esau "comforting himself" with thoughts of murder (Hebrew mitnakhem) gives profound insight into the human heart's capacity for bitterness. It's more insidious than immediate wrath; it implies a sustained internal processing where the idea of inflicting harm brings a form of grim satisfaction, demonstrating how vengeance can consume one's mind and provide a dark comfort. This state is precisely why God commands His people to avoid vengeance and allow Him to act (Rom 12:19). Rebekah's response also highlights the multifaceted consequences of sin, not just for the individual sinner but for the entire family dynamic. Her prior favoritism and orchestration of the deception led directly to Esau's hatred, underscoring that our actions, especially in family contexts, have wide-ranging ripple effects. This passage thus serves as a powerful illustration of divine sovereignty operating through human weakness, fear, and sin to accomplish His ultimate purpose.

Genesis 27 42 Commentary

Genesis 27:42 captures the critical moment of escalation following Jacob's deceit. Rebekah's prompt intervention is crucial, revealing not only a mother's love and protective instinct for her favored son but also the gravity of the spiritual and familial breakdown. Esau's declaration, far from a mere outburst of temper, indicates a deeper psychological state where he actively finds solace in contemplating his brother's demise. This settled bitterness, rather than a fleeting rage, makes the threat acutely dangerous, prompting Rebekah to understand that immediate action is necessary to avert a fratricide. The verse serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of human sin—deception, favoritism, and unchecked anger—which directly contradict the harmony and love God intends for families. Yet, through this very crisis, God's providential plan for Jacob is advanced, albeit through painful means, compelling Jacob into the solitary journey where he will genuinely encounter God and mature. This pivotal verse sets the stage for Jacob's long exile, the formation of his own family, and his eventual return and reconciliation with Esau, a testament to God's enduring sovereignty even amidst human failings.