Genesis 27:39

KJV

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

KJV (with Strong's)

And Isaac {H3327} his father {H1} answered {H6030} and said {H559} unto him, Behold, thy dwelling {H4186} shall be the fatness {H4924} of the earth {H776}, and of the dew {H2919} of heaven {H8064} from above {H5920};

Complete Jewish Bible

and Yitz'chak his father answered him: "Here! Your home will be of the richness of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above.

Berean Standard Bible

His father Isaac answered him: “Behold, your dwelling place shall be away from the richness of the land, away from the dew of heaven above.

American Standard Version

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, of the fatness of the earth shall be thy dwelling, And of the dew of heaven from above;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:39 records Isaac's secondary blessing bestowed upon his son Esau, a pronouncement made after Jacob's deceptive acquisition of the primary patriarchal blessing. This verse delineates the nature of Esau's inheritance, promising him a dwelling characterized by earthly prosperity and a measure of divine provision, distinct from the more comprehensive spiritual and covenantal blessing secured by Jacob. It reflects Isaac's paternal affection and the enduring impact of prophetic words, even amidst profound human error and divine sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a poignant and pivotal moment following the dramatic deception orchestrated by Rebekah and Jacob. Having disguised himself as Esau, Jacob had already received the firstborn's blessing from the blind Isaac, a blessing intended for Esau and laden with promises of dominion, abundance, and the Abrahamic covenant ([Genesis 27:27-29](/genesis/27-27-29 "Jacob Receives Isaac's Blessing")). When Esau returns from hunting and discovers the betrayal, his bitter cry for a blessing reveals the depth of his anguish and the irrevocability of Isaac's pronouncement. Isaac, trembling with emotion and recognizing the divine hand in the events, is left to offer a distinct, albeit lesser, blessing to his elder son. This secondary blessing for Esau underscores the finality of Jacob's reception of the covenantal promises, yet acknowledges Esau's place and future.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the patriarchal blessing was a solemn, legally binding, and prophetically significant pronouncement, often delivered by the dying patriarch. It was believed to carry divine authority and determine the recipient's destiny, lineage, and inheritance. Primogeniture, the right of the firstborn, typically conferred a double portion of inheritance and the headship of the family. The act of blessing was not merely a wish but a performative utterance believed to shape reality. The mention of "fatness of the earth" and "dew of heaven" reflects the agricultural and pastoral economy of the time, where fertile land and reliable moisture were paramount for survival and prosperity. Esau's eventual settlement in the rugged but strategically important region of Seir (Edom) aligns with a blessing that emphasizes earthly provision, even if not the lush agricultural abundance of the promised land.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 27:39 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty** prevailing over human manipulation and choice, as God's pre-birth declaration that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Prophecy Regarding Jacob and Esau")) is ultimately fulfilled despite the flawed means. The verse also underscores the **consequences of human choices**, particularly Esau's earlier despising of his birthright ([Genesis 25:34](/genesis/25-34 "Esau Sells His Birthright")), which positioned him to receive a lesser blessing. Furthermore, it differentiates between **material and spiritual blessings**, showing that while Esau received a measure of earthly prosperity, the deeper, covenantal promises of spiritual lineage and dominion were irrevocably transferred to Jacob. The **irrevocability of prophetic pronouncements** is also a key theme, as Isaac, though distraught, could not undo the blessing he had pronounced upon Jacob.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Isaac's words to Esau, though secondary, delineate a blessing focused primarily on material abundance and a specific dwelling place, reflecting a paternal desire to provide for his son within the constraints of the already-given primary blessing.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dwelling (Hebrew, _môwshâb'_):** (H4186) This word denotes a seat, a site, or an abode, implying a fixed place of habitation and the establishment of a people. For Esau, this signifies a secure territory and a settled existence for his descendants, the Edomites, who would indeed establish a distinct nation in the land of Seir.
* **fatness (Hebrew, _mashmân'_):** (H4924) Literally meaning "fat" or "fatness," this term figuratively refers to a fertile field, rich produce, or abundance. In the context of the earth, it promises material prosperity, productive land, and general earthly wealth, ensuring sustenance and a degree of flourishing for Esau's lineage.
* **dew (Hebrew, _ṭal'_):** (H2919) Dew, as moisture covering vegetation, was a crucial source of water and fertility in the arid ancient Near East, often seen as a direct gift from God. Its inclusion signifies divine provision and blessing, essential for agricultural success and the flourishing of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Isaac his father answered and said unto him,"**: This opening clause sets the scene for Isaac's response to Esau's desperate plea. It highlights Isaac's position as the patriarch and father, now faced with the painful reality of having mistakenly given the primary blessing to Jacob. His "answering" indicates a direct response to Esau's bitter cry, signifying a father's deep distress and his attempt to mitigate the profound loss Esau felt, even while acknowledging the binding nature of his previous words.
* **"Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth,"**: This is the first component of Esau's blessing, promising a specific place of habitation characterized by material abundance. "The fatness of the earth" signifies fertile ground and rich produce, implying a life of material prosperity and the ability to sustain a thriving population. This promise finds historical fulfillment in the Edomites, Esau's descendants, who, despite inhabiting a mountainous region, controlled strategic trade routes and possessed areas of agricultural fertility, allowing them to prosper materially.
* **"and of the dew of heaven from above;"**: The second component of the blessing emphasizes divine provision. "The dew of heaven" is a common biblical metaphor for God's life-sustaining blessing, crucial for agriculture in a land dependent on rainfall and nocturnal moisture. The addition of "from above" (Hebrew, _mima'al_) further emphasizes the celestial origin of this provision, signifying that Esau's sustenance would come as a gift from God, albeit perhaps less directly or comprehensively than the blessing given to Jacob, which explicitly invoked God's direct giving of "plenty of corn and wine" ([Genesis 27:28](/genesis/27-28 "Jacob's Blessing")). This distinction subtly underscores the differing nature of the two blessings, with Esau's being primarily earthly and Jacob's being covenantal and spiritual.

#### Literary Devices
The language of Genesis 27:39 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and emotional weight. **Metaphor** is evident in "the fatness of the earth" and "the dew of heaven," which are not literal substances but symbolic representations of material prosperity and divine provision, respectively. The phrase "fatness of the earth" is an evocative **idiom** for agricultural richness and abundance. There is also a subtle **contrast** implied with Jacob's blessing in [Genesis 27:28](/genesis/27-28 "Jacob's Blessing"), which also mentions "the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth," but adds "and plenty of corn and wine," and crucially, dominion over peoples. The addition of "from above" in Esau's blessing, while seemingly redundant, might serve as a **subtle differentiation**, hinting at a less direct or less comprehensive divine favor compared to Jacob's, which explicitly invokes God's active giving. This passage also functions as **foreshadowing**, predicting the future prosperity and geographical settlement of Esau's descendants, the Edomites.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 27:39, while a blessing of earthly provision, stands in stark contrast to the primary, covenantal blessing given to Jacob. It powerfully illustrates the distinction between material prosperity and the deeper spiritual inheritance tied to God's redemptive plan. While God, in His general providence, provides for all humanity, the specific, covenantal blessings are reserved for those within His chosen lineage. Esau's blessing, though significant for his earthly existence, lacks the spiritual depth, the promise of dominion over nations, and the direct connection to the Abrahamic covenant that Jacob received. This narrative underscores God's unwavering sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to work through human choices and even deceptions to accomplish His preordained purposes, as He had declared before the twins' birth that the elder would serve the younger. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the eternal consequences of despising spiritual birthrights for temporal gratification.

* [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Prophecy Regarding Jacob and Esau")
* [Hebrews 12:16-17](/hebrews/12-16-17 "Esau's Rejection of His Birthright")
* [Deuteronomy 33:28](/deuteronomy/33-28 "Israel's Blessing of Dew and Grain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:39 offers profound insights for believers today, urging us to carefully consider our priorities and the enduring impact of our choices. Esau's experience reminds us that while earthly provision and material comfort are gifts from God, they pale in comparison to the eternal blessings found in God's covenant and His spiritual promises. The narrative reinforces the truth of God's unwavering sovereignty, assuring us that His ultimate purposes will prevail despite human sin, manipulation, or even our own flawed attempts to achieve His will. Furthermore, it serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting that our choices, particularly those that disregard sacred things or involve deception, carry significant and often irreversible consequences, shaping not only our own lives but also the trajectory of future generations. We are called to value what God values, to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, trusting that all other necessary things will be provided.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Esau's blessing, though earthly, reflect God's general providence for all humanity, even outside the specific covenantal line?**
* **In what ways might we, like Esau, be tempted to prioritize immediate gratification or material gain over spiritual inheritance and long-term covenant blessings?**
* **How does the irrevocability of Isaac's blessing to Jacob, despite the deception, deepen our understanding of God's sovereignty and the power of prophetic declarations?**
* **What lessons can we draw from this narrative about the consequences of our choices, both positive and negative, on our own lives and those around us?**

### FAQ

**Why did Isaac give Esau any blessing after Jacob had already received the primary one?**

Answer: Isaac's primary blessing to Jacob was not merely a parental wish but a prophetic pronouncement under divine inspiration, believed to be irrevocable once spoken. When Esau returned, Isaac was deeply distressed, realizing the profound implications of his words and the deception that had occurred. However, he recognized the binding nature of what he had spoken. His blessing to Esau, though secondary and focused on earthly provision, was an expression of a father's love and a recognition of Esau's existence and future, albeit one outside the specific covenantal line of promise. It also reflects God's general providence, providing for all humanity, not just His chosen people, ensuring that Esau and his descendants would also have a place and a measure of prosperity in the world.

**What is the significance of "from above" in Esau's blessing compared to Jacob's?**

Answer: The phrase "from above" (Hebrew, _mima'al_) is unique to Esau's blessing in [Genesis 27:39](/genesis/27-39 "Esau's Blessing"). While both blessings mention "the dew of heaven," Jacob's blessing in [Genesis 27:28](/genesis/27-28 "Jacob's Blessing") directly states, "God give thee of the dew of heaven," implying a direct, active giving by God. The addition of "from above" for Esau might subtly suggest a more general, perhaps less direct or less abundant, form of divine provision, or simply emphasizes the celestial source of the dew without the explicit connection to God's direct, personal giving that Jacob received. It highlights a distinction in the *nature* of the divine favor, with Jacob's being more comprehensive, covenantal, and explicitly tied to God's direct action, while Esau's is a blessing of general providence from the heavens.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob and Esau, and the blessings they received, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Esau received an earthly blessing of "the fatness of the earth" and "the dew of heaven," Christ embodies the true spiritual blessing and the ultimate "firstborn" over all creation, through whom all spiritual blessings are poured out from the heavenly realms ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). He is the true heir of the divine birthright, not obtained through deception or human striving, but through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. Through Christ, the promises of the Abrahamic covenant are fulfilled for all who believe, transcending any earthly "fatness of the earth" or temporal provision. Believers in Christ receive the ultimate "dew of heaven" in the form of the indwelling Holy Spirit, spiritual adoption, and eternal life, becoming co-heirs with Him to an everlasting kingdom that far surpasses any material or temporal inheritance ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ"); [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs According to the Promise")). In Him, the spiritual dominion and abundant life promised to Jacob find their true and universal expression, extending beyond a physical lineage to all who are "in Christ" ([Colossians 1:15-18](/colossians/1-15-18 "Christ as the Firstborn of Creation")).

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 27:28

Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

Hebrews 11:20

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Genesis 36:6

And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.

Genesis 36:8

Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau [is] Edom.

Joshua 24:4

And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.