¶ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
Complete Jewish Bible:
'Esav hated his brother because of the blessing his father had given him. 'Esav said to himself, "The time for mourning my father will soon come, and then I will kill my brother Ya'akov."
Berean Standard Bible:
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.”
American Standard Version:
And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days.
And when the days of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying,
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
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Commentary for Genesis 27:41
Genesis 27:41 is part of the narrative involving the patriarch Isaac, his wife Rebekah, and their twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The verse reflects a pivotal moment in the brothers' relationship, which is characterized by deception, favoritism, and rivalry.
**Themes:**
1. **Deception and Its Consequences:** Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau, the firstborn. This act sets the stage for the enmity between the brothers.
2. **Favoritism and Rivalry:** The theme of favoritism is evident as Rebekah favors Jacob, while Isaac favors Esau. This parental preference fuels the rivalry between the siblings.
3. **The Irrevocability of Blessings:** In the ancient Near Eastern context, a father's blessing was considered irrevocable and conveyed significant rights and privileges. Once given, it could not be taken back, which adds to Esau's despair and anger.
4. **The Human Condition:** The verse illustrates the depth of human emotion, including hatred and the desire for vengeance, as well as the complex dynamics within family relationships.
**Historical Context:**
The events described in Genesis 27 are set within the context of the early Hebrew patriarchs, who are seminal figures in the biblical narrative. The story is part of the larger ancestral history of the Israelites, explaining their origins and the promises made to them by God.
During this period, the rights of the firstborn were significant, often including a double portion of the inheritance and leadership of the family. Esau's loss of the blessing to Jacob disrupts the expected social order, leading to the tension captured in Genesis 27:41.
The verse also reflects the cultural practices of the time, where blessings and curses carried great weight and were believed to have real-world consequences. The animosity between the brothers is a reflection of the high stakes associated with these blessings.
In summary, Genesis 27:41 encapsulates the themes of deception, favoritism, the irreversible nature of blessings, and the complex interplay of human emotions, all set against the backdrop of early Hebrew family dynamics and cultural norms. The verse foreshadows the ongoing conflict between the brothers and their descendants, which will have lasting implications for the nation of Israel.
*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: H6215 There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עֵשָׂו Transliteration: ʻÊsâv Pronunciation: ay-sawv' Description: apparently a form of the passive participle of עָשָׂה in the original sense of handling; rough (i.e. sensibly felt); Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity; Esau.
Strong's Number: H7852 There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׂטַם Transliteration: sâṭam Pronunciation: saw-tam' Description: a primitive root; properly, to lurk for, i.e. persecute; hate, oppose self against.
Strong's Number: H3290 There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יַעֲקֹב Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe' Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob.
Strong's Number: H5921 There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עַל Transliteration: ʻal Pronunciation: al Description: properly, the same as עַל used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications; above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with.
Strong's Number: H1293 There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בְּרָכָה Transliteration: Bᵉrâkâh Pronunciation: ber-aw-kaw' Description: from בָרַךְ; benediction; by implication prosperity; blessing, liberal, pool, present.
Strong's Number: H834 There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֲשֶׁר Transliteration: ʼăsher Pronunciation: ash-er' Description: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.; [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.
Strong's Number: H1 There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָב Transliteration: ʼâb Pronunciation: awb Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
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: 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: H3820 There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: לֵב Transliteration: lêb Pronunciation: labe Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.
Strong's Number: H3117 There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יוֹם Transliteration: yôwm Pronunciation: yome Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
Strong's Number: H60 There are 1725 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֵבֶל Transliteration: ʼêbel Pronunciation: ay'-bel Description: from אָבַל; lamentation; mourning.
Strong's Number: H7126 There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: קָרַב Transliteration: qârab Pronunciation: kaw-rab' Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
Strong's Number: H2026 There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: הָרַג Transliteration: hârag Pronunciation: haw-rag' Description: a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent; destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely.
Strong's Number: H251 There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָח Transliteration: ʼâch Pronunciation: awkh Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.