Genesis 27:13

KJV

And his mother said unto him, Upon me [be] thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

And his mother {H517} said {H559} unto him, Upon me be thy curse {H7045}, my son {H1121}: only obey {H8085} my voice {H6963}, and go {H3212} fetch {H3947} me them.

Complete Jewish Bible

But his mother said, "Let your curse be on me. Just listen to me, and go get me the kids!"

Berean Standard Bible

His mother replied, “Your curse be on me, my son. Just obey my voice and go get them for me.”

American Standard Version

And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son; only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:13 captures Rebekah's resolute declaration to Jacob, taking upon herself any potential curse he might incur by deceiving Isaac to secure the patriarchal blessing. This pivotal moment underscores Rebekah's unwavering determination to see her favored son receive the blessing, despite Jacob's hesitation and the morally questionable means employed. Her words compel Jacob into an act of deception that profoundly alters the trajectory of their family.

### CONTEXT
This verse is embedded within a dramatic narrative where Rebekah orchestrates a scheme to ensure Jacob, her favored son, receives the blessing intended for his elder brother, Esau. Isaac, old and blind, had instructed Esau to prepare a meal before receiving the patriarchal blessing. Overhearing this, Rebekah swiftly devised a plan, dressing Jacob in Esau's clothes and preparing a meal for Isaac. Jacob initially expressed fear that his father would discern the deception, leading to a curse rather than a blessing ([Genesis 27:12](/genesis/27-12 "Jacob's fear of a curse")). It is in direct response to Jacob's apprehension that Rebekah utters these forceful words, taking the potential consequences of the deceit upon herself.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Rebekah's words in [Genesis 27:13](/genesis/27-13 "Rebekah's declaration to Jacob") reveal a complex interplay of maternal love, strategic manipulation, and deep conviction regarding the divine purpose for Jacob.

* **Rebekah's Decisive Assumption of the Curse:** The Hebrew phrase "Upon me be thy curse" is *‘ālay qillātekā* (עָלַי קִלְלָתֶךָ), a direct and emphatic declaration. This highlights Rebekah's extraordinary resolve and willingness to bear the spiritual and social repercussions of the deception. Her conviction likely stemmed from the earlier divine oracle concerning the two nations within her womb, where "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The oracle concerning Jacob and Esau")). She may have perceived her actions as aligning with, or even facilitating, God's predetermined plan, despite the ethically dubious means. This act demonstrates her profound belief that Jacob, having already acquired [Esau's birthright](/genesis/25-34 "Esau sells his birthright"), was the rightful heir to the blessing.
* **The Gravity of a Curse:** Jacob's initial reluctance and fear of a curse ([Genesis 27:12](/genesis/27-12 "Jacob's fear of a curse")) underscore the immense spiritual and social weight associated with curses in ancient Near Eastern culture. A patriarchal curse was believed to have tangible, lasting effects, impacting one's destiny, prosperity, and relationship with God. Rebekah's casual dismissal of this fear, by offering to absorb it, emphasizes her desperate commitment to the scheme.
* **Obedience in Deception:** The command "only obey my voice, and go fetch me [them]" reveals Rebekah's authoritative and persuasive power over Jacob. This parental directive compels Jacob to participate in the elaborate ruse, leading directly to him receiving the blessing ([Genesis 27:27](/genesis/27-27 "Jacob receives Isaac's blessing")). However, this act of obedience to his mother, despite its immediate success, also sets in motion a series of profound familial conflicts, culminating in Jacob's subsequent flight from Esau's wrath ([Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Jacob flees from Esau")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Responsibility:** This passage powerfully illustrates the tension between God's sovereign plan (that Jacob would receive the blessing) and human agency, particularly the use of deceptive means to achieve what is perceived as God's will. While God's purposes ultimately prevail, the narrative highlights that human sin and manipulation carry significant consequences.
* **The Nature of Blessing and Curse:** The narrative emphasizes the profound significance of the patriarchal blessing and curse in ancient Israelite thought. It explores how these pronouncements were believed to shape destiny and lineage, and the lengths to which individuals would go to secure or avoid them.
* **Consequences of Deception:** The immediate "success" of Rebekah's plan is overshadowed by the long-term familial strife, separation, and personal hardship that follow for Jacob, Esau, and Rebekah herself. This serves as a cautionary tale against seeking good ends through unrighteous or manipulative means.
* **Familial Dynamics and Favoritism:** The story highlights the destructive impact of parental favoritism (Isaac for Esau, Rebekah for Jacob), which contributes significantly to the deception and subsequent discord within the family, a theme that tragically echoes in later generations of Jacob's family ([Genesis 37:1](/genesis/37-1 "Joseph and his brothers")).

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:13 serves as a profound reminder that while God's sovereign plan will ultimately be accomplished, our methods matter. Rebekah's willingness to take a curse upon herself for what she believed was a righteous outcome, though successful in the immediate sense, led to years of pain and separation for her family. This narrative challenges us to consider whether we are tempted to use manipulative or dishonest means to achieve what we perceive as God's will or a desired outcome. It calls us to trust in God's timing and methods, walking in integrity and truth, rather than resorting to human schemes, understanding that even "good" outcomes achieved through ungodly means often carry unforeseen and destructive consequences.

### FAQ

**Why did Rebekah take the curse upon herself?**

Answer: Rebekah's declaration to take the curse upon herself demonstrates her extreme determination and conviction that Jacob was the rightful heir to the patriarchal blessing, aligning with the earlier divine oracle that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The oracle concerning Jacob and Esau")). She was willing to bear any spiritual or social repercussions to ensure Jacob received the blessing, overriding Jacob's own fears and hesitation.

**Did God approve of Rebekah's deception?**

Answer: The biblical narrative does not explicitly state God's approval of Rebekah's deceptive methods. While God's sovereign plan for Jacob to receive the blessing ultimately prevailed, the text highlights the negative consequences of the deception, including family strife and Jacob's subsequent flight. This suggests that while God can use human actions, even sinful ones, to accomplish His purposes, He does not endorse the sin itself.

**What was the significance of a "curse" in this ancient context?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, a patriarchal curse was believed to be a powerful, divinely sanctioned pronouncement with tangible and lasting negative effects on an individual's life, lineage, and prosperity. It was seen as a reversal of blessing, bringing misfortune, barrenness, or separation from divine favor. Jacob's fear of receiving a curse instead of a blessing underscores its profound spiritual and social implications.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The themes of blessing, curse, and divine election in Genesis 27:13 find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Rebekah sought to secure a blessing for Jacob through human deception and offered to bear a potential curse, Christ willingly became the ultimate curse for humanity, taking upon Himself the full weight of sin's penalty, so that believers might receive the true, eternal blessing of God ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law")). The earthly, conditional blessing sought by Jacob, and the human scheme to obtain it, point forward to the perfect and unconditional blessing of salvation and adoption offered through Christ's sacrificial obedience, not through human manipulation. In Christ, God's sovereign plan for humanity's redemption is fulfilled, not through deception, but through divine truth and sacrificial love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.