So Esau declared, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing." Then he asked, "Haven't you saved a blessing for me?" So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob?The name "Jacob" means "he grasps the heel" or "supplanter," which is a play on words reflecting Jacob's actions. In biblical times, names often held significant meaning and were thought to reflect one's character or destiny. Esau's statement highlights the perceived fulfillment of Jacob's name through his actions. This reflects the cultural importance of names and their meanings in the ancient Near East. For he has cheated me twice.
Esau refers to two significant events: the selling of his birthright and the stealing of his blessing. The birthright, which Esau sold for a meal (Genesis 25:29-34), was a significant inheritance right, including leadership of the family and a double portion of the inheritance. The blessing, which Jacob deceitfully obtained (Genesis 27:1-29), was a prophetic pronouncement of prosperity and dominance. This reflects the cultural and familial importance of birthrights and blessings in ancient times. He took my birthright,
The birthright was a sacred and legal entitlement in ancient Hebrew culture, often given to the firstborn son. Esau's casual attitude towards his birthright, selling it for a meal, contrasts with Jacob's desire for it, highlighting differing values and priorities. This event is a pivotal moment in the narrative, setting the stage for future conflict and fulfillment of God's promises to Jacob. and now he has taken my blessing.”
The blessing was a formal and binding pronouncement of future prosperity and leadership, often given by the patriarch of the family. Jacob's deception to receive Isaac's blessing was a significant breach of trust and family order. This act of deception is a key moment in the Genesis narrative, illustrating themes of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”
Esau's plea reflects the irreversible nature of blessings in the ancient world. Once spoken, a blessing was considered binding and could not be retracted or duplicated. This highlights the cultural and spiritual weight of spoken words and blessings in biblical times. Esau's desperation underscores the gravity of his loss and the consequences of his earlier decisions. Persons / Places / Events 1. EsauThe elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, who feels wronged by his brother Jacob for taking both his birthright and blessing. 2. JacobThe younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, who deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. 3. IsaacThe father of Esau and Jacob, who is deceived by Jacob into giving him the blessing intended for Esau. 4. RebekahThe mother of Esau and Jacob, who orchestrates the deception of Isaac to ensure Jacob receives the blessing. 5. The BlessingA significant event where Isaac intends to bestow a prophetic and material blessing upon his elder son, Esau, but is deceived into blessing Jacob instead. Teaching Points The Consequences of DeceptionJacob's deception leads to long-term family strife and personal consequences. Deception, even when seemingly justified, can lead to broken relationships and distrust. The Value of Spiritual InheritanceEsau's lament highlights the importance of valuing spiritual blessings and responsibilities. We should not take lightly the spiritual gifts and callings God has given us. God's Sovereignty and Human ResponsibilityWhile God had a plan for Jacob, the means by which Jacob obtained the blessing were flawed. This teaches us that God's sovereignty does not excuse unethical behavior. Forgiveness and ReconciliationThe account sets the stage for future reconciliation between Jacob and Esau, reminding us of the power and necessity of forgiveness in healing broken relationships. The Role of Parental InfluenceRebekah's role in the deception shows the significant impact parents can have on their children's actions and decisions, urging us to guide with integrity and wisdom. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Esau's reaction in Genesis 27:36 reflect his earlier decision to sell his birthright, and what can we learn about the long-term consequences of our choices? 2. In what ways does the account of Jacob and Esau challenge us to consider the ethical implications of achieving our goals? How can we apply this to our personal and professional lives? 3. How does the concept of spiritual inheritance in this passage connect with the New Testament teachings on spiritual gifts and responsibilities? 4. What role does forgiveness play in the account of Jacob and Esau, and how can we apply this principle in our own relationships? 5. How can parents today learn from Rebekah's actions in this account to positively influence their children's spiritual and moral development? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 25:29-34This passage provides context for Esau's earlier decision to sell his birthright to Jacob, which he references in Genesis 27:36. Hebrews 12:16-17This New Testament passage reflects on Esau's actions and the consequences of despising his birthright, offering a moral lesson on the importance of valuing spiritual inheritance. Malachi 1:2-3This passage speaks to God's sovereign choice of Jacob over Esau, which is echoed in the events of Genesis 27. Romans 9:10-13Paul references the account of Jacob and Esau to illustrate God's sovereign election and purpose. People Esau, Haran, Heth, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, RebekahPlaces Beersheba, HaranTopics Behold, Birthright, Birth-right, Blessing, Deceived, Esau, Hast, Haven't, Heel, He's, Isn't, Jacob, Kept, Named, Reserved, Rightly, Supplanted, TwiceDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 27:36 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 27:30-39 5688 firstborn Genesis 27:35-36 5920 pretence Genesis 27:36-40 6650 finding Library There is a Great Question About Lying, which Often Arises in the Midst Of...
1. There is a great question about Lying, which often arises in the midst of our every day business, and gives us much trouble, that we may not either rashly call that a lie which is not such, or decide that it is sometimes right to tell a lie, that is, a kind of honest, well-meant, charitable lie. This question we will painfully discuss by seeking with them that seek: whether to any good purpose, we need not take upon ourselves to affirm, for the attentive reader will sufficiently gather from the …
St. Augustine—On LyingEpistle Lii. To Natalis, Bishop .
To Natalis, Bishop [1463] . Gregory to Natalis, Bishop of Salona. As though forgetting the tenour of former letters, I had determined to say nothing to your Blessedness but what should savour of sweetness: but, now that in your epistle you have recurred in the way of argumentation to preceding letters, I am once more compelled to say perhaps some things that I had rather not have said. For in defence of feasts your Fraternity mentions the feast of Abraham, in which by the testimony of Holy Scripture …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Letter xxxv. From Pope Damasus.
Damasus addresses five questions to Jerome with a request for information concerning them. They are: 1. What is the meaning of the words "Whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold"? (Gen. iv. 5.) 2. If God has made all things good, how comes it that He gives charge to Noah concerning unclean animals, and says to Peter, "What God hath cleansed that call not thou common"? (Acts x. 15.) 3. How is Gen. xv. 16, "in the fourth generation they shall come hither again," to be reconciled …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome Touching Jacob, However, that which He did at his Mother's Bidding...
24. Touching Jacob, however, that which he did at his mother's bidding, so as to seem to deceive his father, if with diligence and in faith it be attended to, is no lie, but a mystery. The which if we shall call lies, all parables also, and figures designed for the signifying of any things soever, which are not to be taken according to their proper meaning, but in them is one thing to be understood from another, shall be said to be lies: which be far from us altogether. For he who thinks this, may …
St. Augustine—Against Lying Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews First Withdrawal from Herod's Territory and Return.
(Spring, a.d. 29.) Subdivision C. The Twelve Try to Row Back. Jesus Walks Upon the Water. ^A Matt. XIV. 22-36; ^B Mark VI. 45-56; ^D John VI. 15-21. ^d 15 Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone. [Jesus had descended to the plain to feed the multitude, but, perceiving this mistaken desire of the people, he frustrated it by dismissing his disciples and retiring by himself into the mountain.] ^a …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 27:36 NIVGenesis 27:36 NLTGenesis 27:36 ESVGenesis 27:36 NASBGenesis 27:36 KJV
Genesis 27:36 Commentaries
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