Genesis 28:6
New International Version
Now Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and had sent him to Paddan Aram to take a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he commanded him, “Do not marry a Canaanite woman,”

New Living Translation
Esau knew that his father, Isaac, had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to find a wife, and that he had warned Jacob, “You must not marry a Canaanite woman.”

English Standard Version
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women,”

Berean Standard Bible
Now Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to take a wife there, commanding him, “Do not marry a Canaanite woman,”

King James Bible
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

New King James Version
Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Padan Aram to take himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”

New American Standard Bible
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take to himself a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he commanded him, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”

NASB 1995
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take to himself a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he charged him, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”

NASB 1977
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram, to take to himself a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he charged him, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take for himself a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he commanded him, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”

Amplified Bible
Now Esau noticed that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to take a wife for himself from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a prohibition, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”

Christian Standard Bible
Esau noticed that Isaac blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to get a wife there. When he blessed him, Isaac commanded Jacob, “Do not marry a Canaanite girl.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Esau noticed that Isaac blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to get a wife there. When he blessed him, Isaac commanded Jacob, “Do not marry a Canaanite woman.”

American Standard Version
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

Contemporary English Version
Esau found out that his father Isaac had blessed Jacob and had warned him not to marry any of the Canaanite women. He also learned that Jacob had been sent to find a wife in northern Syria

English Revised Version
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and had sent him away to Paddan Aram to get a wife from there. He learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and had commanded him not to marry any of the Canaanite women.

Good News Translation
Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Mesopotamia to find a wife. He also learned that when Isaac blessed him, he commanded him not to marry a Canaanite woman.

International Standard Version
Esau noticed that after Isaac had blessed Jacob as he was sending him off to Paddan-aram to marry a wife from there, he had instructed Jacob, "Don't marry a Canaanite woman."

Majority Standard Bible
Now Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to take a wife there, commanding him, ?Do not marry a Canaanite woman,?

NET Bible
Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him off to Paddan Aram to find a wife there. As he blessed him, Isaac commanded him, "You must not marry a Canaanite woman."

New Heart English Bible
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take for himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, "You must not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,"

Webster's Bible Translation
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him, he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

World English Bible
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take him a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, “You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Esau sees that Isaac has blessed Jacob, and has sent him to Padan-Aram to take to himself from there a wife—in his blessing him that he lays a charge on him, saying, You must not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan—

Young's Literal Translation
And Esau seeth that Isaac hath blessed Jacob, and hath sent him to Padan-Aram to take to himself from thence a wife -- in his blessing him that he layeth a charge upon him, saying, Thou dost not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan --

Smith's Literal Translation
And Esau will see that Isaak praised Jacob, and sent him away to Padan Aram, to take to him from thence a wife; in blessing him, and he will command him saying, Thou shalt not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Esau seeing that his father had blessed Jacob, and had sent him into Mesopotamia of Syria, to marry a wife thence; and that after the blessing he had charged him, saying: Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Chanaan:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Esau, seeing that his father had blessed Jacob and had sent him into Mesopotamia of Syria, to take a wife from there, and that, after the blessing, he had instructed him, saying: ‘You shall not accept a wife from the daughters of Canaan,’

New American Bible
Esau noted that Isaac had blessed Jacob when he sent him to Paddan-aram to get himself a wife there, and that, as he gave him his blessing, he charged him, “You shall not marry a Canaanite woman,”

New Revised Standard Version
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he charged him, “You shall not marry one of the Canaanite women,”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed his brother Jacob and sent him away to Padan-aram to take for himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him, he charged him, saying, You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Esau saw that Isaaq blessed Yaquuv his brother and sent him to Paran d'Aram to take to himself from there a wife when he blessed him and commanded him and said to him, “Do not take a woman from the daughters of Canaan”;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying: 'Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan';

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Esau saw that Isaac blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Mesopotamia of Syria as he blessed him, to take to himself a wife thence, and that he charged him, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of the Chananites;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Esau Marries Mahalath
6Now Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to take a wife there, commanding him, “Do not marry a Canaanite woman,” 7and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram.…

Cross References
Genesis 27:41-45
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” / When the words of her older son Esau were relayed to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and told him, “Look, your brother Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you. / So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. ...

Genesis 25:28
Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 26:34-35
When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 27:30-33
As soon as Isaac had finished blessing him and Jacob had left his father’s presence, his brother Esau returned from the hunt. / He too made some tasty food, brought it to his father, and said to him, “My father, sit up and eat of your son’s game, so that you may bless me.” / But his father Isaac replied, “Who are you?” “I am Esau, your firstborn son,” he answered. ...

Genesis 27:46
Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a Hittite wife from among them, what good is my life?”

Genesis 29:1
Jacob resumed his journey and came to the land of the people of the east.

Genesis 24:3-4
and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, / but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”

Genesis 21:12
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.

Genesis 12:1
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.

Genesis 24:37-38
My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, / but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’

Genesis 31:3
Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

Genesis 35:1
Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

Genesis 46:1-4
So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. / And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. / “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ...

Exodus 3:6
Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Exodus 6:3
I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them.


Treasury of Scripture

When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from there; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, You shall not take a wife of the daughers of Canaan;

Esau.

Genesis 27:33
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.

Thou.

Genesis 28:1
And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.

Jump to Previous
Aram Blessed Canaan Canaanite Charge Charged Command Daughters Esau Isaac Jacob Learned Marry Padanaram Padan-Aram Paddan Paddan-Aram Thence Wife Women
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Aram Blessed Canaan Canaanite Charge Charged Command Daughters Esau Isaac Jacob Learned Marry Padanaram Padan-Aram Paddan Paddan-Aram Thence Wife Women
Genesis 28
1. Isaac blesses Jacob, and sends him to Padan-aram.
6. Esau marries Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael.
10. Jacob journeys, and has a vision of a ladder.
18. The stone of Bethel.
20. Jacob's vow.














Now Esau learned
The phrase "Now Esau learned" indicates a pivotal moment of realization for Esau. The Hebrew root for "learned" is "yada," which means to know or perceive. This suggests a deeper understanding or awareness that Esau gains, not just a casual observation. In the context of the narrative, this learning is significant as it marks a turning point in Esau's life, where he becomes aware of the actions and blessings concerning his brother Jacob. Historically, this moment reflects the ongoing tension and rivalry between the two brothers, which is a recurring theme in Genesis.

that Isaac had blessed Jacob
The blessing of Jacob by Isaac is a central theme in the patriarchal narratives. The Hebrew word for "blessed" is "barak," which implies not only a verbal blessing but also the conferring of divine favor and authority. This blessing was originally intended for Esau, the firstborn, but was deceitfully obtained by Jacob. The act of blessing in ancient Near Eastern culture was a powerful and binding act, often seen as irrevocable. This highlights the gravity of Isaac's blessing and its impact on the family dynamics.

and sent him to Paddan-aram
"Paddan-aram" refers to a region in Mesopotamia, specifically associated with the city of Haran. This area is significant as it is the homeland of Rebekah, Jacob's mother, and a place where Abraham's family resided. The sending of Jacob to Paddan-aram underscores the importance of maintaining familial and cultural ties, as well as the desire to find a wife from among their own people, rather than from the surrounding Canaanite tribes. This journey also symbolizes a period of growth and transformation for Jacob.

to take a wife there
The directive "to take a wife there" emphasizes the importance of marriage within the covenant community. In the Hebrew culture, marriage was not just a personal union but a communal and covenantal act that had implications for the continuation of God's promises to Abraham's descendants. By seeking a wife from Paddan-aram, Jacob is aligning himself with the covenantal lineage, ensuring that his offspring would be part of God's chosen people.

and that when he blessed him
The repetition of the blessing highlights its significance and the weight it carries in the narrative. The blessing is not just a one-time event but a continuous source of divine favor and guidance for Jacob. This phrase also serves to remind the reader of the intentionality behind Isaac's actions, despite the initial deception involved in Jacob receiving the blessing.

he commanded him, 'Do not marry a Canaanite woman,'
The command "Do not marry a Canaanite woman" reflects the cultural and religious boundaries that were to be maintained by the patriarchs. The Canaanites were often associated with practices and beliefs that were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. By instructing Jacob to avoid marrying a Canaanite, Isaac is ensuring that the covenantal promises remain intact and that the family remains distinct and set apart for God's purposes. This command also echoes the earlier concerns of Abraham when seeking a wife for Isaac, reinforcing the theme of faithfulness to God's covenant throughout the generations.

ESAU MARRIES A DAUGHTER OF ISHMAEL.

(6) When Esau.--The solemn transfer of the birthright to Jacob, and Isaac's complete assent thereto, must have been the cause of no little grief to Esau, and evidently it made him feel that he had greatly contributed to this result by his own illegitimate marriages. When, then, he sees Jacob sent away to obtain a wife, in accordance with the rule established by Abraham, he determines also to conform to it, and marries a daughter of Ishmael. She is called Bashe-math in chap 36:3, and described in both places as "the sister of Nebajoth," in order to show that as Nebajoth "the firstborn" (Genesis 25:13) was undoubtedly the son of Ishmael by his first wife, "whom Hagar took for him out of the land of Egypt" (Genesis 21:21), so also Mahalath shared in this precedence, and was not the daughter of any of Ishmael's subsequent wives, or of a concubine.

Verses 6-9. - When (literally, and) Esau saw that Issue had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, - literally, in his blessing him (forming a parenthesis), and he commanded him - saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan; and that (literally, and) Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone (or went) to Padan-aram; and Esau seeing that (more correctly, saw that) the daughters of Canaan pleased not (literally, were evil in the eyes of) Isaac his father; then (literally, and) went Esau unto Ishmael (i.e. the family or tribe of Ishmael, aiming in this likely to please his father), and took unto the wives which he had (so that they were neither dead nor divorced) Mahalath (called Bashemath in Genesis 36:3) the daughter of Ishmael (and therefore Esau's half-cousin by the father's side, Ishmael, who was now dead thirteen years, having been Isaac's half-brother) Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, - Ishmael's firstborn (vide Genesis 25:13) - to be his wife.

CHAPTER 28:10-22

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Esau
עֵשָׂ֗ו (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

learned
וַיַּ֣רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Isaac
יִצְחָק֮ (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

had blessed
בֵרַ֣ךְ (ḇê·raḵ)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

Jacob
יַעֲקֹב֒ (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

and sent
וְשִׁלַּ֤ח (wə·šil·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

him to Paddan-aram
אֲרָ֔ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6307: Paddan-aram -- the place where Rachel died

to take
לָקַֽחַת־ (lā·qa·ḥaṯ-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3947: To take

a wife
אִשָּׁ֑ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

there,
מִשָּׁ֖ם (miš·šām)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

commanding him,
וַיְצַ֤ו (way·ṣaw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

“Do not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

marry
תִקַּ֥ח (ṯiq·qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a Canaanite
כְּנָֽעַן׃ (kə·nā·‘an)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3667: Canaan -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land West of the Jordan

woman,”
מִבְּנ֥וֹת (mib·bə·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter


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OT Law: Genesis 28:6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 28:5
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