Genesis 27:3

KJV

Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me [some] venison;

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore take {H5375}, I pray thee, thy weapons {H3627}, thy quiver {H8522} and thy bow {H7198}, and go out {H3318} to the field {H7704}, and take {H6679} me some venison {H6718}{H6720};

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, please take your hunting gear - your quiver of arrows and your bow; go out in the country, and get me some game.

Berean Standard Bible

Take your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out into the field to hunt some game for me.

American Standard Version

Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me venison;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Genesis 27:3 KJV") records Isaac's pivotal instruction to his elder son, Esau, to hunt and prepare a savory meal. This seemingly simple request sets in motion a dramatic sequence of events involving familial deception, the usurpation of the firstborn's blessing, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan despite human flaws, ultimately shaping the destiny of the patriarchal line.

### CONTEXT
This verse is embedded within the complex family narrative of Isaac, particularly highlighting the strained relationship between his twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Isaac, now old and blind, intends to bestow his final, irrevocable blessing upon Esau, his favored son, known for his skill as a hunter ([Genesis 25:28](/genesis/25-28 "Read about Isaac's favoritism for Esau in Genesis 25:28")). The request for venison was a customary, perhaps ritualistic, act preceding such a solemn and binding declaration of patriarchal blessing. Unbeknownst to Isaac, Esau had previously despised and sold his birthright to Jacob for a mere bowl of stew ([Genesis 25:34](/genesis/25-34 "Learn how Esau sold his birthright to Jacob in Genesis 25:34")), an act that would have profound consequences on Isaac's intentions and the family's destiny. This command from Isaac directly precipitates Rebekah's elaborate scheme to ensure Jacob receives the blessing instead of Esau.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Genesis 27:3 KJV") presents Isaac's direct and urgent command to Esau: "Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me [some] venison." This instruction is laden with significance, revealing Isaac's specific desires and setting the stage for the ensuing drama.

* **"Now therefore take, I pray thee..."**: The opening "Now therefore" indicates a decisive moment, a transition from general thought to immediate action. Isaac's "I pray thee" (or "please") suggests a tender, personal request, emphasizing the importance he places on this final act of provision from his son.
* **"thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow"**: These are the specific tools of Esau's trade as a skilled hunter. Isaac's mention of them underscores his knowledge of Esau's particular gifting and his desire for a meal procured through Esau's unique abilities. It is a request for a personal offering, not just any food.
* **"go out to the field, and take me [some] venison"**: This command sends Esau to his natural domain, the open country, to hunt. The term "venison" (KJV) comes from the Hebrew word צַיִד (*tzayid*), which broadly means "game" or "food obtained by hunting" ([Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Explore the meaning of 'tzayid' in Genesis 27:3")). Crucially, subsequent verses clarify Isaac's desire for "savory food" ([Genesis 27:4](/genesis/27-4 "Isaac's desire for savory food"), [7](/genesis/27-7 "Isaac's desire for savory food"), [9](/genesis/27-9 "Isaac's desire for savory food"), [14](/genesis/27-14 "Isaac's desire for savory food")). This is not merely about sustenance but about a specific, palatable dish that would prepare Isaac for the solemn act of conferring the blessing. The act of hunting and providing this particular meal was seen as an act of honor and service, worthy of receiving the patriarchal blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Parental Intent and Favoritism:** Isaac's words clearly reveal his intention to bless Esau, highlighting his favoritism towards the older twin. This favoritism, common in patriarchal narratives, often led to familial strife and complicated the divine plan.
* **The Significance of Blessing:** The request for a specific meal underscores the immense spiritual and cultural weight placed on a father's blessing in ancient Near Eastern society. Such blessings were considered binding, irrevocable, and prophetic, often determining the recipient's future and inheritance.
* **Foreshadowing Deception:** Isaac's command immediately precedes and enables the elaborate deception orchestrated by Rebekah and Jacob, who overhear the conversation and plot to usurp Esau's rightful place. This moment is crucial for understanding the subsequent narrative of Jacob's life, marked by cunning and flight.
* **God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Flaws:** Despite the human deception, flawed intentions, and familial discord that follow this request, God's ultimate plan, revealed earlier that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Read about the prophecy concerning Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:23")), was ultimately fulfilled. This demonstrates God's ability to work through imperfect circumstances and human choices to accomplish His divine purposes.
* **The Nature of Provision and Sacrifice:** Esau's act of hunting represents a form of provision and service. While humanly motivated by the desire for blessing, it points to the broader biblical theme of offering and sacrifice as a prerequisite for receiving divine favor or covenant blessings.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Genesis 27:3 KJV"), while a simple instruction, serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless principles for contemporary life. The dangers of parental favoritism are starkly illustrated; Isaac's clear preference for Esau sowed seeds of discord that led to jealousy, deceit, and long-lasting family estrangement. We are called to love and treat all our children equitably, recognizing their individual gifts and avoiding comparisons that foster resentment. Furthermore, Isaac's desire to give a blessing highlights the lasting impact of spoken words, especially those of authority or affection. This reinforces the importance of intentional, truthful, and edifying communication in all relationships, recognizing the power our words hold to build up or tear down. Finally, the narrative reminds us of God's sovereignty: even amidst human sin, deception, and flawed intentions, God's ultimate plan prevails, offering comfort and assurance that His purposes will be accomplished regardless of our imperfections.

### FAQ
**Why was a specific meal required before the blessing?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal, especially one prepared with specific care and personal effort, often symbolized covenant, intimacy, and the sealing of important agreements. For Isaac, the "savory food" (Hebrew: *mat'ammim*) was not just a preference but likely a ritualistic component, a final act of filial devotion and provision that would prepare him physically and spiritually to confer such a weighty and irrevocable patriarchal blessing. It was a deeply personal and sensory experience intended to accompany and confirm the solemnity of the moment.

**Did Isaac know about Esau selling his birthright to Jacob?**

Answer: The biblical text does not explicitly state that Isaac knew about the sale of the birthright in [Genesis 25:34](/genesis/25-34 "Learn how Esau sold his birthright to Jacob in Genesis 25:34"). His actions in [Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Genesis 27:3 KJV") and subsequent verses strongly suggest he was unaware, as he proceeds with his intention to bless Esau as the firstborn. Rebekah and Jacob's elaborate deception is predicated on Isaac's ignorance of this prior transaction and his blindness, indicating that the birthright sale was likely kept secret from him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the blessing of Jacob over Esau, initiated by Isaac's request in [Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Genesis 27:3 KJV"), profoundly foreshadows Christ. Just as Jacob, the younger and seemingly less deserving, received the blessing through divine election and a substitutionary act (wearing Esau's clothes, presenting a prepared meal), so too does humanity, undeserving and alienated, receive the ultimate blessing of salvation through Christ. He is the true firstborn, the heir of all things ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Christ as the firstborn of all creation")), who takes on our humanity and offers himself as the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the law and prophets. Through faith in Him, we are clothed in His righteousness, receiving the inheritance and blessing that was rightfully His, not ours by merit. This narrative highlights God's sovereign choice and grace, overturning human expectations and natural order to establish His covenant through a chosen line, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, through whom all the families of the earth are blessed.

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.