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 records Isaac's solemn instruction to his elder son, Esau, to hunt and prepare a specific savory meal. This seemingly simple paternal request serves as the catalyst for a pivotal narrative of familial deception, the contentious transfer of the firstborn's blessing, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan amidst human imperfection, profoundly shaping the trajectory of the patriarchal lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the intricate family saga of Isaac, particularly highlighting the strained dynamics between his twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Isaac, now advanced in years and visually impaired, intends to confer his final, irrevocable patriarchal blessing upon Esau, his favored son, renowned for his prowess as a hunter, as noted in [Genesis 25:28](/genesis/25-28 "Genesis 25:28 - Isaac's Favoritism for Esau"). The request for a specific meal of venison was not merely for sustenance but was a customary, perhaps even ritualistic, prerequisite for such a weighty and binding declaration of blessing. Crucially, this command from Isaac directly precipitates Rebekah's elaborate scheme to ensure Jacob, her favored son, receives the blessing instead of Esau, setting in motion the dramatic events of the chapter and the subsequent narrative of Jacob's flight and formation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a father's deathbed blessing was considered a legally and spiritually binding act, often determining the recipient's inheritance, status, and future destiny. These blessings were believed to be irrevocable and possessed prophetic power. The act of hunting and preparing a meal for an elder, especially a father, was a profound act of filial honor and service, symbolizing respect and devotion. The "savory food" (מַטְעַמִּים, _maṭʿammîm_) mentioned in subsequent verses ([Genesis 27:4](/genesis/27-4 "Genesis 27:4 - Isaac's Desire for Savory Food")) was not just any meal but a specially prepared, palatable dish, likely intended to invigorate Isaac and prepare him for the solemn spiritual act of bestowing the blessing. This cultural understanding underscores the gravity of Isaac's request and the significance of the meal in the blessing ceremony.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 27:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty versus human agency**, as God's prior prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - Prophecy of Jacob and Esau")) is ultimately fulfilled despite the flawed human means employed. The verse also underscores the **consequences of parental favoritism**, as Isaac's clear preference for Esau creates a fertile ground for jealousy and deception within the family. Furthermore, it emphasizes the **power and significance of the patriarchal blessing**, revealing its binding nature and profound impact on the recipient's destiny. The narrative initiated by this verse also explores themes of **deception and its repercussions**, as Jacob's cunning sets him on a path of exile and struggle, yet ultimately leads to his transformation and the continuation of the covenant line.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 27:3 presents Isaac's direct and urgent command to Esau, setting the stage for the unfolding drama: "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 the immediate catalyst for the ensuing familial conflict.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, a primitive root meaning "to lift" or "to bear," used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative. Here, it conveys the sense of taking up or carrying one's hunting implements. Isaac's command is not merely a suggestion but an imperative, a weighty request for Esau to "take up" his tools and perform this vital act of provision. The word choice implies the physical act of equipping oneself for a task.
* **Weapons (Hebrew, _kᵉlîy'_):** From H3627, meaning "something prepared," or "any apparatus." This broad term encompasses implements, utensils, or, as here, "weapons" or "armor." Isaac's use of "weapons" (plural) emphasizes the full array of Esau's hunting gear, signifying his identity and skill as a hunter. It highlights that the venison is to be procured by Esau's specific, unique abilities and equipment, making the offering deeply personal.
* **Venison (Hebrew, _tsayid'_):** From H6718, meaning "the chase" or "game (thus taken)," generally referring to "food obtained by hunting" or "provisions." The KJV's "venison" specifically refers to the meat of a hunted animal. Isaac's request for "venison" is not for any generic meat but for game procured by Esau's own hand, emphasizing the personal and sacrificial nature of the offering he desires before bestowing the blessing. This term is distinct from general "food" (H6720, _tsêydâh_), though the two are related, underscoring the specific type of meal Isaac craved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore take, I pray thee,"**: The opening conjunction "Now therefore" marks a decisive transition, signaling an immediate and important command. Isaac's "I pray thee" (or "please") softens the imperative, conveying a tender, personal request from an aging father to his son, underscoring the deep importance he places on this final act of filial devotion before bestowing the blessing.
* **"thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow,"**: This specifies the precise hunting implements Esau is to use. "Weapons" is a general term for his gear, while "quiver" and "bow" are particular tools of his trade. This detail highlights Isaac's intimate knowledge of Esau's identity as a skilled hunter and his desire for a meal procured through Esau's unique abilities, making the offering a personal act of service.
* **"and go out to the field,"**: This command directs Esau to his natural domain—the open country, the "field" (H7704, _sâdeh_), where he excels as a hunter. It implies a journey away from the domestic sphere, into the wild, to perform the task.
* **"and take me [some] venison;"**: This is the ultimate objective of the command. Esau is to "take" (H6679, _tsûwd_, meaning "to hunt" or "to catch an animal") a specific type of meat—"venison" (H6718, _tsayid_), game obtained by hunting. This is not merely about sustenance but about a specific, savory dish that would prepare Isaac, both physically and perhaps ritually, for the profound act of conferring the patriarchal blessing.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Isaac's seemingly innocuous request for a meal sets in motion a chain of events that will irrevocably alter the course of the family's destiny, leading to Jacob's deception and the subsequent fulfillment of God's prophecy. There is also a strong element of **Irony**: Isaac, though blind, believes he is acting according to the established order and his preference, yet his very command opens the door for Rebekah and Jacob to subvert his intentions. The tools mentioned—the "weapons, quiver and bow"—serve as **Symbolism** for Esau's identity and livelihood as a hunter, a stark contrast to Jacob's more domestic nature. The venison itself becomes a **Symbol** of the desired blessing, a physical manifestation of the spiritual inheritance Isaac intends to bestow, yet it is ultimately through a deceptive substitute that the blessing is procured.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaac's instruction to Esau in Genesis 27:3 is a critical juncture that highlights profound theological and thematic truths. It underscores the immense spiritual and cultural weight placed on a father's blessing in ancient Near Eastern society, considered binding, irrevocable, and prophetic. Isaac's clear favoritism towards Esau, though understandable from a human perspective (Esau's provision of venison), tragically contributed to the familial discord and deception that followed, illustrating how human preferences can complicate divine purposes. Yet, even amidst the subsequent human sin, manipulation, and flawed intentions, God's ultimate plan, revealed earlier concerning the twins' destiny, was sovereignly fulfilled. This demonstrates God's remarkable ability to work through imperfect circumstances and human choices, even sinful ones, to accomplish His divine purposes, ensuring His covenant promises endure despite human failings.

* [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - The Prophecy of Jacob and Esau")
* [Genesis 25:34](/genesis/25-34 "Genesis 25:34 - Esau Sells His Birthright")
* [Hebrews 11:20](/hebrews/11-20 "Hebrews 11:20 - Isaac Blesses Jacob and Esau by Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:3, though a simple command, serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless principles relevant to 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 and division within the home. 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 profound power our words hold to build up or tear down, to bless or to curse. Finally, the narrative reminds us of God's unwavering sovereignty: even amidst human sin, deception, and flawed intentions, God's ultimate plan prevails. This offers profound comfort and assurance that His purposes will be accomplished, regardless of our imperfections or the chaotic circumstances of life, inviting us to trust in His overarching providence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might parental favoritism, even unintentional, create discord or unhealthy dynamics within families today?**
* **What is the power of our spoken words, particularly blessings or affirmations, in shaping the lives of those around us?**
* **How does the narrative of Isaac, Esau, and Jacob encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty even when human actions seem to derail His plans?**

### 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, symbolizing Esau's honor and worthiness to receive the blessing.

**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 "Genesis 25:34 - Esau Sells His Birthright"). His actions in [Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Genesis 27:3 - Isaac's Command to Esau") and subsequent verses strongly suggest he was unaware, as he proceeds with his intention to bless Esau as the firstborn, indicating his belief that Esau still held the primary claim. Rebekah and Jacob's elaborate deception, predicated on Isaac's blindness and his ignorance of this prior transaction, further supports the conclusion that the birthright sale was likely kept secret from him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob receiving the blessing, initiated by Isaac's request in [Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Genesis 27:3 - Isaac's Command to Esau"), profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Jacob, the younger son and seemingly less deserving by human standards, received the blessing through divine election and a form of substitution (wearing Esau's clothes, presenting a prepared meal), so too does humanity, inherently undeserving and alienated from God, receive the ultimate blessing of salvation and adoption through Christ. He is the true firstborn, "the firstborn over all creation" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ as the Firstborn")), who perfectly fulfills the law and prophets. Through His incarnation, He takes on our humanity, and through His atoning sacrifice, He offers Himself as the perfect Lamb of God. By faith in Him, we are "clothed" in His righteousness, receiving the spiritual inheritance and blessing that was rightfully His, not ours by merit or works. This narrative powerfully illustrates God's sovereign choice and grace, overturning human expectations and natural order to establish His covenant through a chosen line, culminating in Jesus Christ, through whom "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - God's Promise to Abraham")). He is the one who "redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles" ([Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13-14 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")).

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 25:27

And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob [was] a plain man, dwelling in tents.

Genesis 25:28

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of [his] venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 10:9

He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

1 Corinthians 6:12

¶ All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.