Genesis 27:13

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

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.

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

His mother replied, โ€œYour curse be on me, my son. Just obey my voice and go get them for me.โ€

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

Commentary

Genesis 27:13 KJV captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob and Esau, illustrating Rebekah's forceful determination to secure the patriarchal blessing for her favored son, Jacob, over Esau.

Context

This verse is part of a dramatic scheme orchestrated by Rebekah to ensure Jacob receives the blessing intended for his elder brother, Esau. Isaac, old and blind, intended to bless Esau, his firstborn. However, Rebekah, who had a strong preference for Jacob (Genesis 25:28), overheard Isaac's instructions to Esau. Jacob initially hesitated, fearing that his father would discover the deception and he would receive a curse instead of a blessing (Genesis 27:12). It is in response to Jacob's apprehension that Rebekah utters these words, taking the potential consequences upon herself.

Key Themes

  • Rebekah's Decisive Action: Rebekah's willingness to take the curse upon herself demonstrates her unwavering resolve and perhaps her belief that Jacob, having already acquired Esau's birthright, was the rightful recipient of the blessing, even if it required deception.
  • The Weight of a Curse: Jacob's fear of a curse underscores the profound spiritual and social implications associated with it in ancient Near Eastern culture. Rebekah's declaration highlights her desperate commitment to the plan.
  • Obedience in Deception: The phrase "only obey my voice" reveals Rebekah's authoritative stance, compelling Jacob to participate in the elaborate ruse. This act of obedience to his mother leads to Jacob receiving the blessing (Genesis 27:27-29), but also sets in motion a series of familial conflicts and Jacob's subsequent flight from Esau.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated as "Upon me be thy curse" is 'ฤlay qillฤtekฤ (ืขึธืœึทื™ ืงึดืœึฐืœึธืชึถืšึธ). This direct and emphatic declaration signifies Rebekah's complete assumption of responsibility for any negative repercussions. It's a powerful statement of self-sacrifice, albeit for a morally questionable act, highlighting her conviction that the end justified the means.

Practical Application

Genesis 27:13 serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking good ends through deceptive or manipulative means. While God's sovereign plan for Jacob to be the bearer of the covenant promises ultimately prevailed, the methods employed by Rebekah and Jacob led to significant family strife and personal hardship for many years (a theme that echoes in later generations of Jacob's family). This verse reminds us that while God is sovereign, our choices have real consequences, and we are called to walk in integrity and truth, trusting in His timing and methods rather than resorting to human schemes.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 27:25

    Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.

  • 1 Samuel 25:24

    And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, [upon] me [let this] iniquity [be]: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

  • 2 Samuel 14:9

    And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity [be] on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne [be] guiltless.

  • Genesis 25:33

    And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

  • 1 Samuel 14:24

    ยถ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

  • 1 Samuel 14:28

    Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food this day. And the people were faint.

  • Genesis 25:23

    And the LORD said unto her, Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
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