King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he said, Bring [it] near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought [it] near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He said, "Bring it here to me, and I will eat my son's game, so that I can give you my blessing." So he brought it up to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine, and he drank.
Berean Standard Bible:
“Serve me,” said Isaac, “and let me eat some of my son’s game, so that I may bless you.” Jacob brought it to him, and he ate; then he brought him wine, and he drank.
American Standard Version:
And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he said{H559}, Bring it near{H5066} to me, and I will eat{H398} of my son's{H1121} venison{H6718}, that my soul{H5315} may bless{H1288} thee. And he brought it near{H5066} to him, and he did eat{H398}: and he brought{H935} him wine{H3196}, and he drank{H8354}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 27:4
- And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring [it] to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 27:25
Genesis 27:25 is part of the narrative where Jacob deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for his older brother Esau. The historical context of this verse is set within the family dynamics of the patriarchs, where the birthright and blessing held significant importance for the future of the family line.
**Themes:**
1. **Deception and Identity:** The verse reflects the theme of deception as Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, pretends to be Esau to receive Isaac's blessing. This involves wearing animal skins to mimic Esau's hairy appearance and presenting a meal made from goats to resemble the wild game (venison) that Isaac had requested from Esau.
2. **Blessing and Favoritism:** The theme of blessing is central, as the blessing from a patriarch was believed to confer spiritual and material benefits, and was considered irrevocable once given. Additionally, the narrative highlights the favoritism within the family, as Isaac's preference for Esau and Rebekah's for Jacob sets the stage for the deception.
3. **Providence and Destiny:** Despite the human intrigue, there is an underlying theme of divine providence. God's will seems to be unfolding in spite of human manipulation, as Jacob, whose name later becomes Israel, is positioned to carry on the covenantal lineage, which is in accordance with the divine promise given to Rebekah before the twins' birth (Genesis 25:23).
**Historical Context:**
- **Cultural Significance of Blessings:** In the ancient Near Eastern context, a father's spoken blessing was a profound and legally binding act that could not be undone. It was a solemn declaration that conferred status, inheritance, and divine favor upon the recipient.
- **Family Dynamics and Succession:** The story takes place in a society where the firstborn son (Esau) traditionally received the birthright, which included a double portion of the inheritance and the status of family leader. However, the narrative shows a subversion of this norm through Jacob's acquisition of both the birthright (Genesis 25:29-34) and the blessing.
- **The Role of Rebekah and Isaac:** Rebekah's active role in the deception reflects the strong character of the matriarchs in Genesis. Isaac's role, though somewhat passive, also indicates his human fallibility and the complexity of his character as he is deceived by his senses and by his own family members.
In summary, Genesis 27:25 is embedded in a complex narrative of family relationships, divine providence, and the cultural significance of blessings and birthrights in ancient societies. It reflects the themes of deception, identity, favoritism, and the unfolding of God's plan through flawed human agents.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H5066
There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַשׁ
Transliteration: nâgash
Pronunciation: naw-gash'
Description: a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back; (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H6718
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צַיִד
Transliteration: tsayid
Pronunciation: tsah'-yid
Description: from a form of צוּד and meaning the same; the chase; also game (thus taken); (generally) lunch (especially for a journey); [idiom] catcheth, food, [idiom] hunter, (that which he took in) hunting, venison, victuals. - Strong's Number: H5315
There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
Transliteration: nephesh
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. - Strong's Number: H1288
There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָרַךְ
Transliteration: bârak
Pronunciation: baw-rak'
Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H3196
There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַיִן
Transliteration: yayin
Pronunciation: yah'-yin
Description: from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication; banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). - Strong's Number: H8354
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁתָה
Transliteration: shâthâh
Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.)