Genesis 28:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;

Complete Jewish Bible:

'Esav also saw that the Kena'ani women did not please Yitz'chak his father.

Berean Standard Bible:

And seeing that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women,

American Standard Version:

and Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Esau^{H6215} seeing^{H7200} that the daughters^{H1323} of Canaan^{H3667} pleased^{H5869} not^{H7451} Isaac^{H3327} his father^{H1};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 28:8

**Themes:**

1. **Family Dynamics and Tensions:** The verse reflects the strained relationship between Esau and his parents, particularly his father Isaac, due to his choices in marriage.
2. **Cultural and Religious Purity:** Esau's marriages to Canaanite women were problematic because they were outside the chosen lineage and could potentially lead the family away from the worship of Yahweh.
3. **Divine Blessing and Lineage:** The underlying concern is about maintaining the line of promise through which God's blessings would flow, highlighting the importance of lineage in the fulfillment of God's covenant.

**Historical Context:**

Genesis 28:8 is set in the context of the patriarchal narratives, where the focus is on the lineage of Abraham, through Isaac, and eventually through Jacob, whose name is later changed to Israel. This lineage is significant as it is through these individuals that God's covenant promises are to be fulfilled, including the promise of a nation and a land for Abraham's descendants.

Esau, the firstborn of Isaac, had previously sold his birthright to his younger twin brother Jacob (Genesis 25:29-34), signifying a forfeiture of the privileges and responsibilities that came with being the primary heir. His marriages to Hittite women, as mentioned in Genesis 26:34-35, were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah, as they feared these alliances would dilute their faith and heritage.

This historical context underscores the importance of maintaining cultural and religious identity in a world where intermarriage with surrounding peoples could lead to assimilation and the loss of unique identity and divine purpose. The narrative sets the stage for the subsequent blessings and struggles of Jacob, who becomes the next patriarch in the line of promise.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3667
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּנַעַן
   Transliteration: Kᵉnaʻan
   Pronunciation: ken-ah'-an
   Description: from כָּנַע; humiliated; Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him; Canaan, merchant, traffick.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
6. Strong's Number: H7451
   There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַע
   Transliteration: raʻ
   Pronunciation: rah
   Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
   
7. Strong's Number: H3327
   There are 101 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִצְחָק
   Transliteration: Yitschâq
   Pronunciation: yits-khawk'
   Description: from צָחַק; laughter (i.e. mochery); Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham; Isaac. Compare יִשְׂחָק.
   
8. 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-'.