Genesis 27:38

KJV

And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, [even] me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Esau {H6215} said {H559} unto his father {H1}, Hast thou but one {H259} blessing {H1293}, my father {H1}? bless {H1288} me, even me also, O my father {H1}. And Esau {H6215} lifted up {H5375} his voice {H6963}, and wept {H1058}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Esav said to his father, "Have you only one blessing, my father? Father, bless me too!"'Esav wept aloud,

Berean Standard Bible

Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, O my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.

American Standard Version

And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:38 vividly portrays Esau's profound despair and bitter regret upon discovering that his younger brother, Jacob, had fraudulently obtained the patriarchal blessing intended for him. This verse serves as the emotional climax of a narrative steeped in deception, highlighting the irreversible nature of a spoken blessing in ancient culture and the devastating consequences of Esau's past choices, particularly his earlier disregard for his birthright.

### CONTEXT
This poignant verse is situated at the dramatic culmination of a complex family saga within the book of Genesis. Isaac, now aged and blind, intended to bestow the sacred patriarchal blessing—a pronouncement carrying divine authority and conveying prosperity, progeny, and prominence—upon his firstborn son, Esau. However, Rebekah, Isaac's wife, favored Jacob and masterminded a scheme for Jacob to impersonate Esau, successfully deceiving Isaac into unknowingly conferring the blessing upon Jacob instead (see [Jacob's deception](/genesis/27-19 "Read about Jacob's deception in Genesis 27:19")). Esau returns from hunting, eager to receive his anticipated blessing, only to be confronted with the devastating reality of its forfeiture. His anguish is intensified by the knowledge that he had previously [despised and sold his birthright](/genesis/25-34 "Learn about Esau selling his birthright in Genesis 25:34") to Jacob for a mere bowl of stew, an act that foreshadowed and contributed to this later, more profound loss of the patriarchal blessing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 27:38 captures the raw, uninhibited grief of Esau as he confronts his father, Isaac: "And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, [even] me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept." This verse is a powerful depiction of a man facing the irreversible consequences of his actions and the profound pain of missed opportunity.

* **"Hast thou but one blessing, my father?"**: Esau's desperate question reveals his shock and disbelief. He implicitly acknowledges the immense value of the blessing, yet simultaneously struggles to comprehend its singular and exclusive nature. This plea underscores the patriarchal understanding that such a blessing, once pronounced, was binding and could not be rescinded or duplicated. Isaac's subsequent inability to bless Esau in the same manner confirms this irrevocability.
* **"bless me, [even] me also, O my father"**: This is a direct, personal, and urgent appeal. The repetition of "me, even me also" emphasizes Esau's profound need and his desperate hope that some remnant of the blessing, or a new one, might still be available to him. It highlights his deep-seated desire for his father's favor and the spiritual and material inheritance it represented.
* **"And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept"**: The Hebrew word for "wept" is *bakah* (בכה), which denotes a deep, uninhibited sorrow, often accompanied by loud lamentation. The phrase "lifted up his voice" further emphasizes the intensity, public nature, and overwhelming character of his grief. This is not quiet shedding of tears but a profound, audible expression of anguish. His tears are not merely a sign of sadness but of bitter regret and despair over a loss that he now perceives as immense and irretrievable. The "blessing" (Hebrew: *berakah*, ברכה) was understood as a divine endowment, a pronouncement carrying God's favor for prosperity, numerous progeny, and a position of prominence, making its loss a catastrophic spiritual and existential blow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Irrevocable Nature of Divine Pronouncements**: The story emphasizes that a blessing, once spoken, particularly one imbued with patriarchal and divine authority, was considered binding and irreversible. This highlights the solemnity and weight of words spoken in faith and under divine inspiration.
* **Consequences of Disregard for Spiritual Inheritance**: Esau's tears are a direct consequence of his earlier, casual disregard for his birthright (Genesis 25:34). This narrative powerfully illustrates that seemingly minor or impulsive choices can have profound and lasting spiritual repercussions, underscoring the importance of valuing spiritual opportunities and heritage.
* **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Imperfection**: While the narrative is rife with human deception, favoritism, and weakness, God's ultimate plan to establish His covenant through Jacob, the younger brother, is subtly at work. This demonstrates how God can sovereignly work through and even use imperfect human means to achieve His redemptive purposes, fulfilling His pre-ordained will (Romans 9:10-13).
* **The Pain of Missed Opportunity**: Esau's grief serves as a poignant reminder of the pain associated with missed opportunities, especially those of spiritual significance. It encourages diligence, discernment, and a proactive valuing of what is truly precious in God's sight.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Esau's profound despair in Genesis 27:38 offers timeless lessons for contemporary believers. His bitter tears underscore the critical importance of valuing spiritual inheritance and making wise choices in the present. We are called to cherish the spiritual blessings and opportunities God provides, not to trade them for temporary gratification or worldly comforts. Just as Esau undervalued his birthright, we can sometimes neglect our spiritual heritage, our relationship with God, or opportunities for growth and service, only to later regret the lost potential. This passage serves as a stark reminder that our choices, both large and small, have real and often irreversible consequences. While God's grace offers forgiveness for our sins, some outcomes of our actions in this life may remain. Therefore, Esau's experience encourages us to be diligent, discerning, and intentional in our spiritual walk, ensuring we do not despise the precious things of God, lest we, too, find ourselves lamenting missed opportunities of eternal significance. The New Testament echoes this warning in [Hebrews 12:17](/hebrews/12-17 "Read about Esau's repentance in Hebrews 12:17"), noting that Esau "found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears," signifying that he could not reverse the specific patriarchal blessing, not that he was beyond God's general forgiveness.

### FAQ
**Does Esau's weeping imply true repentance for his past sins?**

Answer: Esau's tears in Genesis 27:38 primarily express profound sorrow and regret over the *loss* of the blessing and its associated benefits, rather than a deep, transforming repentance for his underlying sinfulness or his previous despising of his birthright. While his grief is genuine and intense, it appears to be a sorrow for the *consequences* of his actions, not necessarily a turning from the heart attitude that led to those actions. The New Testament in [Hebrews 12:17](/hebrews/12-17 "Read about Esau's repentance in Hebrews 12:17") clarifies that "he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." This means he could not reverse the specific outcome of the blessing being given to Jacob, not that God denied him the possibility of personal repentance for his sins. His tears were for the lost inheritance, not necessarily for a broken relationship with God or a change of heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Esau's loss and Jacob's gain, though marked by human sin and deception, ultimately points to the greater redemptive plan centered on Christ. Just as Jacob, the younger and seemingly less likely heir, received the blessing by divine design, so too does God often choose the unexpected and humble to accomplish His purposes, subverting human expectations. Christ is the ultimate "blessing" and the true heir of all things, through whom God's covenant promises find their perfect fulfillment. Esau's desperate plea for a blessing he could not reclaim underscores the preciousness and irrevocability of the spiritual inheritance offered in Christ. Unlike Esau's lost blessing, the inheritance believers receive in Christ is secured by grace, not by human merit or deception, and it is an eternal, unshakeable blessing that can never be forfeited or stolen. Through Christ, all nations are blessed, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant in a way far grander and more enduring than any earthly patriarchal blessing.

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.