Genesis 27:34

KJV

And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, [even] me also, O my father.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when Esau {H6215} heard {H8085} the words {H1697} of his father {H1}, he cried {H6817} with a great {H1419} and exceeding {H3966} bitter {H4751} cry {H6818}, and said {H559} unto his father {H1}, Bless {H1288} me, even me also, O my father {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When 'Esav heard his father's words he burst into loud, bitter sobbing. "Father, bless me too," he begged.

Berean Standard Bible

When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me too, O my father!”

American Standard Version

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:34 vividly captures the agonizing moment of Esau's profound realization that his patriarchal blessing, intended for him, has been irrevocably bestowed upon his brother Jacob. This pivotal scene portrays the overwhelming pain of missed opportunity and the bitter, irreversible consequences of his earlier choices, particularly his casual disregard for his spiritual inheritance. His desperate, pleading cry for any remaining blessing underscores the immense, binding value placed on such pronouncements within ancient Near Eastern culture.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the emotional climax of a deeply fraught narrative in [Genesis 27](/genesis/27 "Genesis 27 - Jacob Deceives Isaac"). Immediately preceding it, Jacob, at his mother Rebekah's instigation, has successfully deceived his blind, aging father, Isaac, into believing he is Esau, thereby securing the firstborn's blessing. Isaac, having pronounced the comprehensive blessing upon Jacob, then experiences a moment of profound shock when the true Esau arrives. Esau's "great and exceeding bitter cry" is the raw, visceral reaction to Isaac's confirmation that the blessing has been given and cannot be rescinded. It marks the tragic culmination of a family drama steeped in favoritism, deception, and a critical misunderstanding of spiritual priorities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, a father's blessing was far more than a mere wish; it was a potent, prophetic pronouncement believed to be divinely inspired and legally binding. It conveyed authority, future prosperity, and spiritual inheritance, often determining the recipient's destiny and lineage. Such a blessing was generally considered singular and irreversible, particularly the primary blessing intended for the firstborn. The act of "blessing" (H1288, _bârak_) involved a solemn declaration that invoked divine favor and power. Losing this blessing, especially to a younger sibling, was a catastrophic blow to one's status, identity, and future prospects within the family and tribal structure, explaining the intensity of Esau's anguish.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 27:34 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and beyond. It highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** versus **Human Agency and Deception**, showing how God's purposes (e.g., [the elder serving the younger](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - The Prophecy of Two Nations")) can be fulfilled even through flawed human actions. It powerfully underscores the **Value of Spiritual Inheritance** and the dire consequences of despising it, a lesson Esau learned too late after selling his birthright for a mere meal (as seen in [Genesis 25:29-34](/genesis/25-29-34 "Genesis 25:29-34 - Esau Sells His Birthright")). Furthermore, the verse encapsulates the theme of **Consequences of Sin**, demonstrating how Jacob's deception and Esau's recklessness lead to deep family division and lasting sorrow.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cried (Hebrew, _tsâʻaq'_):** From H6817, a primitive root meaning "to shriek" or "to cry out." This word denotes a loud, often desperate, and urgent cry, typically associated with distress, anguish, or a plea for help. In this context, it emphasizes the raw, uncontrolled nature of Esau's emotional outburst, indicating profound pain and shock rather than a quiet lament.
* **bitter (Hebrew, _mar'_):** From H4751, meaning "bitter" literally or figuratively, also denoting "bitterness" or "bitterly." It describes an intense, unpleasant feeling, often associated with deep sorrow, grief, or resentment. When applied to Esau's cry, it signifies the extreme emotional pain, disappointment, and perhaps even a sense of injustice he felt at the irreversible loss of his blessing.
* **Bless (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** From H1288, a primitive root meaning "to kneel" or, by implication, "to bless." In the context of a patriarch, it refers to the act of conferring divine favor, prosperity, and a prophetic future upon someone. Esau's desperate plea, "Bless me," highlights his understanding of the immense, life-altering power contained within his father's pronouncement, even as he realizes the primary blessing is gone.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Esau heard the words of his father":** This clause sets the scene of Esau's sudden, devastating realization. He has just returned from hunting, confident in receiving the blessing, only to hear Isaac's account of having already blessed Jacob. The "words of his father" are not merely information but a pronouncement of his lost destiny, striking him with immediate and profound impact.
* **"he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry":** This is the heart of Esau's emotional response. The Hebrew emphasizes the intensity: "great" (H1419, _gâdôwl_) and "exceeding" (H3966, _mᵉʼôd_, meaning "vehemently" or "wholly") amplify the "bitter cry" (H6818, _tsaʻăqâh_, a shriek). This is not a quiet sob but a loud, unrestrained wail, indicative of overwhelming grief, shock, and the crushing weight of an irreversible loss. It is a cry of desperation for something irrevocably gone.
* **"and said unto his father, Bless me, [even] me also, O my father.":** Despite the finality of Isaac's words, Esau's anguish compels him to plead for any remaining favor. The repetition "me, even me also" underscores his desperation and the depth of his longing for a share in the patriarchal blessing. It reveals a glimmer of hope, however faint, that some remnant of the promised prosperity and favor might still be available to him, acknowledging his father's authority to bestow such a gift.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Hyperbole** and **Pathos** to convey the depth of Esau's anguish. The description "a great and exceeding bitter cry" is hyperbolic, emphasizing the extreme and overwhelming nature of his sorrow, far beyond ordinary disappointment. This exaggeration evokes **Pathos**, drawing the reader into Esau's emotional turmoil and eliciting sympathy for his plight, despite his earlier foolishness. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present; Esau, who once "despised his birthright" (a spiritual and material inheritance), now desperately cries for a blessing that is a direct consequence of that very birthright. His desperate plea, "Bless me, even me also," uses **Repetition** for emphasis, highlighting his fervent, almost childlike, appeal for recognition and favor from his father.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Esau's bitter cry serves as a profound theological lesson on the consequences of devaluing spiritual inheritance and the irreversible nature of certain choices. While God's sovereign plan to bless Jacob was established before their birth, Esau's actions (selling his birthright) demonstrated a heart that prioritized immediate gratification over eternal promises, creating the human context through which God's purposes unfolded. This narrative underscores the immense significance of divine blessings and the tragic outcome of treating them lightly, reminding us that spiritual opportunities, once squandered, may be lost forever.

* [Hebrews 12:16-17](/hebrews/12-16-17 "Hebrews 12:16-17 - Esau's Rejection and Lack of Repentance")
* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "Romans 9:10-13 - God's Sovereign Choice of Jacob")
* [Proverbs 1:24-33](/proverbs/1-24-33 "Proverbs 1:24-33 - Wisdom's Rejection and Consequences")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esau's agonizing cry in [Genesis 27:34](/genesis/27-34 "Genesis 27:34 - Esau's Bitter Cry") stands as a timeless and poignant warning for every generation. It challenges us to honestly assess our own priorities: are we, like Esau, prone to valuing immediate gratification and fleeting pleasures over the enduring, eternal blessings and promises of God? His desperate plea for a blessing that was irrevocably lost highlights the profound sorrow that accompanies missed spiritual opportunities and the irreversible consequences of choices made in haste or contempt. This narrative urges us to cultivate spiritual foresight, to cherish God's word and promises, and to make wise decisions today, understanding that while God's mercy is boundless for repentance, some earthly consequences of our actions may indeed be permanent. We are called to pursue genuine, spiritual blessings with diligence and to avoid the tragic regret of "what might have been," learning from Esau's sorrow to hold fast to the priceless inheritance offered in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "birthrights" or spiritual blessings might I be taking for granted or devaluing in my own life today?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to prioritize immediate gratification over long-term spiritual gain?**
* **How can Esau's bitter cry motivate me to seek and cherish God's promises with greater diligence and reverence?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure I am not squandering spiritual opportunities that may not return?**

### FAQ
**Why was the patriarchal blessing so significant and seemingly irreversible?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, and particularly within the patriarchal narratives, a father's blessing was considered a binding, prophetic pronouncement that carried immense spiritual, social, and economic weight. It was believed to be a transfer of authority, favor, and future prosperity, often seen as a divine decree spoken through the patriarch. Once pronounced, especially by a blind and aging father like Isaac, it was considered irrevocable, reflecting a deep cultural belief in the power of spoken words and the finality of divine will. This understanding is crucial to grasping the depth of Esau's despair, as the blessing was not a mere wish but a sealed destiny.

**Does Esau's "bitter cry" indicate true repentance?**

Answer: While Esau's cry was undoubtedly one of intense sorrow and profound regret, the biblical text, particularly in [Hebrews 12:16-17](/hebrews/12-16-17 "Hebrews 12:16-17 - Esau's Rejection and Lack of Repentance"), suggests his tears were for the *consequences* of his actions (the loss of the blessing) rather than a genuine, heart-level repentance for his past despising of his birthright or a turning to God. He sought the blessing "with tears," but found "no place of repentance," implying his sorrow was primarily for the tangible loss itself, not a transformation of his spiritual values or a turning from his previous recklessness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Esau's bitter cry for a lost earthly blessing and inheritance stands in stark contrast to the eternal, spiritual inheritance offered through Jesus Christ. While Esau lost a temporal blessing due to his own choices and Jacob's deception, believers in Christ receive an imperishable inheritance, secured not by human merit, lineage, or cunning, but by God's boundless grace through faith in His Son. Christ Himself is the ultimate "blessing" (as prophesied in [Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - The Blessing of Abraham Through Christ")), the true heir through whom all spiritual blessings are bestowed upon us (as revealed in [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")). Unlike Esau, whose tears could not reclaim what was lost, those who come to Christ find true repentance and receive an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (as described in [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). This divine provision transcends the limitations and failures of human lineage and earthly blessings, offering a secure and eternal fulfillment of God's promises that can never be taken away.

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

Hebrews 12:17

For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Proverbs 1:31

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

1 Samuel 30:4

Then David and the people that [were] with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

Proverbs 19:3

¶ The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

Luke 13:24

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Luke 13:28

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

Proverbs 1:24

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;