Genesis 27:43 kjv

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

Genesis 27:43 nkjv

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran.

Genesis 27:43 niv

Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran.

Genesis 27:43 esv

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran

Genesis 27:43 nlt

So listen carefully, my son. Get ready and flee to my brother, Laban, in Haran.

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 43 Meaning

Genesis 27:43 reveals Rebekah's urgent command to Jacob following the deception concerning Isaac's blessing. Fearing Esau's wrath and intention to kill Jacob, she instructs her son to immediately leave and seek refuge with her brother Laban in Haran, presenting it as a temporary measure for safety until Esau's anger subsides. This action reflects Rebekah's proactive nature and her commitment to protect Jacob, in whom she saw the continuation of the divine covenant promises.

Genesis 27 43 Context

Genesis 27:43 is a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob and the unfolding narrative of the Abrahamic covenant. The immediate preceding context is Jacob, at his mother Rebekah's urging, deceiving his blind father Isaac to receive the blessing intended for Esau, the firstborn. Esau's discovery of this deception ignites intense hatred and a vowed intent to murder Jacob after Isaac's death (Gen 27:41). Rebekah overhears Esau's threat (Gen 27:42) and, understanding the gravity of the situation and fearing the loss of both sons (Gen 27:45), quickly devises a plan for Jacob's immediate escape. She frames her instructions to Isaac by saying Jacob needs to find a wife from her family in Paddan-aram (Gen 27:46-28:2), aligning Jacob's flight with a socially acceptable reason, rather than revealing the bitter sibling feud. Historically, seeking refuge with kin was a common and accepted practice in ancient Near Eastern society when an individual was in danger. Haran, the specific destination, was where Abraham’s family had resided before migrating to Canaan, thus representing familiar ground for Rebekah's lineage.

Genesis 27 43 Word analysis

• Now therefore, (ve'attah - וְעַתָּה): A common Hebrew phrase connecting present action to previous events or consequences. It signifies immediacy and direct consequence arising from the recent development of Esau's murderous rage.
• my son, (b'ni - בְּנִי): An affectionate term of address from Rebekah to Jacob, yet it also underscores the mother's authority and deep concern for her child. It softens the stern command that follows, emphasizing a mother's loving protective instinct.
• obey (sh'ma - שְׁמַע): From the root shema, meaning "to hear, to listen, to obey." It's not just passive hearing but implies active and responsive obedience, echoing the command God frequently gives to His people throughout the Scriptures. Rebekah expects prompt and complete compliance.
• my voice; (b'qoli - בְּקֹלִי): Directly links the command to Rebekah's authority. In the biblical narrative, particularly among matriarchs, their "voice" often carries significant weight, sometimes even directing the patriarchal lineage in alignment with God's wider purpose (e.g., Sarah regarding Hagar and Ishmael).
• arise, (qum - קוּם): An imperative verb meaning "to stand up, get up." It conveys urgency and the need for immediate, decisive physical action. It's a call to move, not to delay.
• flee (barach - בְּרַח): A strong imperative verb meaning "to escape, take flight, run away." This term vividly portrays the peril Jacob faces and the necessity of a swift, unhesitating departure. It signifies an emergency, not a leisurely journey.
• to Laban (el lavan - אֶל־לָבָן): Specifies the intended refuge. Laban is Rebekah's brother, implying a safe haven within family. This highlights the importance of familial ties and networks for protection and support in the ancient world.
• my brother (achi - אָחִי): Establishes the close familial connection and basis for seeking shelter. The reliance on family is paramount. This phrase would reassure Jacob that he was going to a place of relative safety and kinship.
• in Haran. (charanah - חָרָנָה): The specific geographical location. Haran was a major trading city and an important place in the family history, as Terah (Abraham's father) and Abraham himself had dwelled there. It represents both a return to ancestral lands and a place known to the family for generations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice": This phrase establishes Rebekah's maternal authority and loving, yet urgent, command. "Now therefore" underscores the immediate and consequential nature of Esau's threat. "My son" emphasizes the tender concern within the authoritative instruction. "Obey my voice" signifies the required submission to her counsel, which she believes is for his survival.
• "arise, flee": These two urgent imperatives, used in quick succession, convey the extreme danger Jacob is in and the absolute necessity of prompt action. "Arise" calls for immediate physical movement, and "flee" denotes a hurried escape, leaving no room for hesitation or delay. It highlights a critical, life-or-death situation.
• "to Laban my brother in Haran": This specifies the destination and the familial relationship providing the basis for refuge. "Laban my brother" establishes a trusted family connection where Jacob could reasonably expect safety. "In Haran" provides a concrete and historically significant geographic location, tying Jacob's immediate escape to the ancestral homeland of his family, where Abraham once dwelled before being called to Canaan. The irony that Laban himself will prove to be a deceiver, not unlike Jacob, adds a layer of depth to the narrative of God working through flawed human instruments.

Genesis 27 43 Bonus section

The "flight" instructed by Rebekah here for Jacob serves as a common motif throughout Scripture, where figures, both godly and ungodly, must "flee" for various reasons—from danger, from temptation, or from God's wrath. In Jacob's case, it marks a liminal phase, a transition from the family home and its comforts, albeit tainted by deception, to a period of struggle and dependence on God. This exile in Haran is not merely an escape from Esau but also a formative period ordained by God for Jacob's character to be refined and for his large family to be formed through his marriages to Leah and Rachel. It sets the stage for his confrontation with Laban's trickery, allowing Jacob to experience the "sowing and reaping" of deception firsthand, preparing him for future leadership. Ultimately, this temporary flight enables the divine promise to continue its unfolding through a humbled and eventually transformed Jacob.

Genesis 27 43 Commentary

Genesis 27:43 encapsulates a mother's desperate, immediate action to save her beloved son, Jacob, from the murderous wrath of his brother, Esau. This verse underscores the extreme peril Jacob faced after participating in the deceptive scheme to steal Esau's blessing. Rebekah's decisive command, "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran," reveals her unwavering will and foresight. Her choice to send Jacob to Haran, the family's place of origin, highlights a reliance on kinship networks for safety—a common ancient Near Eastern custom—while also establishing the next major leg of Jacob's journey of development and purification.

The urgency conveyed by "arise, flee" is palpable, reflecting a life-threatening situation. Although Jacob's deception was morally questionable, Rebekah's intervention aligns with the divine promise given to her that "the older shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23). Thus, while her means might be viewed as imperfect, her protective act facilitates God's overarching purpose for Jacob and the covenant lineage. This verse marks the beginning of Jacob's 20-year exile, a period of hardship and maturation where God continues to be with him (Gen 28:15) despite the consequences of his actions, demonstrating divine grace working through and often redeeming human frailty.

Examples for practical usage:

• Recognizing immediate dangers and acting decisively for protection.
• Seeking refuge and help within trusted relationships or community when facing threat.
• Understanding that even within a flawed narrative, God's providence guides and works.