Genesis 27:43

KJV

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore, my son {H1121}, obey {H8085} my voice {H6963}; and arise {H6965}, flee {H1272} thou to Laban {H3837} my brother {H251} to Haran {H2771};

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, my son, listen to me: get up and escape to Lavan my brother in Haran.

Berean Standard Bible

So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran.

American Standard Version

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:43 records Rebekah's urgent command to her son Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran, a desperate measure to protect him from the murderous wrath of his twin brother Esau. This pivotal instruction marks the immediate consequence of Jacob's deception of Isaac and initiates a significant period of exile and spiritual formation, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's covenant purposes through a flawed but chosen patriarch.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic climax of Jacob's deception of his blind father, Isaac, orchestrated by Rebekah. Jacob, disguised as Esau, successfully secured the blessing of the firstborn, which Isaac had intended for Esau. Upon discovering this profound treachery, Esau's anger reached a murderous intensity, leading him to declare his intention to kill Jacob once their father Isaac had died, as recorded in [Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's Vow to Kill Jacob"). Rebekah, having been informed of Esau's vengeful plot, swiftly intervenes to protect her favored son. Her imperative command in [Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Rebekah's Urgent Command to Jacob") is the direct consequence of this familial betrayal and the immediate catalyst for Jacob's prolonged absence from the promised land, propelling the narrative into the next significant phase of his life and the development of the covenant family.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the patriarchal blessing was a deeply significant and binding pronouncement, carrying both spiritual and material implications for inheritance and destiny. The firstborn son typically received a double portion of the inheritance and the primary blessing. Deception to gain such a blessing, as Jacob perpetrated, was a severe transgression, often leading to deep-seated family feuds and even bloodshed, as evidenced by Esau's murderous intent. Haran, located in Paddan-Aram (northwestern Mesopotamia), was the ancestral homeland of Abraham's family, where Rebekah's brother Laban resided. Sending Jacob there was a culturally appropriate choice for refuge, as it offered kinship protection and the potential for Jacob to find a wife from within their extended family, a common practice to maintain lineage purity and strengthen tribal ties.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 27:43 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It highlights the pervasive theme of **human sin and its consequences**, demonstrating how Jacob's deceit leads directly to his forced exile and family estrangement. Simultaneously, it powerfully illustrates **God's unwavering sovereignty and providence**, showing how even through the flawed actions and dysfunctional dynamics of His chosen family, God's ultimate plan for the covenant's unfolding remains on track. The verse also introduces the theme of **exile as a crucible for spiritual formation**, as Jacob's journey to Haran marks the beginning of a transformative period where he will encounter God directly, mature in faith, and lay the foundation for the twelve tribes of Israel, as seen in subsequent narratives such as [Jacob's dream at Bethel](/genesis/28-10-22 "Jacob's Dream at Bethel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Rebekah's words in Genesis 27:43 are direct, urgent, and authoritative, setting in motion a critical phase in Jacob's life and the biblical narrative: "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;"

#### Key Word Analysis
* **son (Hebrew, _bên_):** From H1121, this word is derived from a root meaning "to build," signifying a son as a builder or continuer of the family name. In this context, Rebekah addresses Jacob as her "son," emphasizing their close familial bond and her maternal concern for his life. The term also carries the weight of his role as the chosen heir, despite his actions, through whom the family line and divine promises are to continue.
* **obey (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_):** From H8085, this primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, understanding, and crucially, obedience. Rebekah's command "obey my voice" is not merely an instruction to listen, but an imperative to act in accordance with her warning, highlighting the urgency and non-negotiable nature of her directive in the face of imminent danger.
* **flee (Hebrew, _bârach_):** From H1272, this primitive root means "to bolt" or "to flee suddenly." The use of this verb underscores the immediate and desperate necessity of Jacob's departure. It is not a leisurely journey but an urgent flight for survival, directly indicative of the grave threat posed by Esau's murderous intent and the profound consequences of Jacob's deceit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore, my son, obey my voice;":** This opening phrase establishes the immediate context of Rebekah's command. The "Now therefore" acts as a logical consequence of the preceding events—Esau's murderous vow. Rebekah addresses Jacob intimately as "my son," indicating both her affection and her maternal authority. The imperative "obey my voice" signifies the critical importance of her instruction, demanding immediate and unquestioning compliance from Jacob, who is in mortal danger.
* **"and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother":** The verbs "arise" (qûwm, H6965) and "flee" (bârach, H1272) convey a sense of urgency and swift action. "Arise" implies getting ready for immediate departure, while "flee" emphasizes the necessity of a rapid escape from the present danger. Rebekah specifies the destination as her brother Laban, indicating a pre-determined safe haven within her own extended family, a culturally appropriate choice for refuge and protection.
* **"to Haran;":** Haran is the specific geographical location within Paddan-Aram where Laban resides. By naming this distant city, Rebekah not only provides a precise destination but also implies a prolonged separation for Jacob, far from Esau's immediate reach. This destination sets the stage for a significant twenty-year period of Jacob's life, during which he will marry, father children, and accumulate wealth, shaping him into the patriarch of a nascent nation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The use of **Imperative Verbs** ("obey," "arise," "flee") creates a sense of immediate urgency and highlights Rebekah's decisive authority in a moment of crisis. This direct address underscores the gravity of Jacob's situation. The phrase "my son" functions as **Terms of Endearment** and **Appeals to Authority**, simultaneously conveying Rebekah's deep maternal concern and her expectation of Jacob's obedience. The **Foreshadowing** of Jacob's long journey and stay in Haran is also present, as this seemingly desperate flight initiates a pivotal period of his life, setting the stage for his marriages, the birth of his children, and his spiritual maturation, all of which are crucial to the unfolding of God's covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 27:43 powerfully illustrates the immediate and painful consequences of human sin, as Jacob's deceit forces him into exile. Yet, it simultaneously showcases God's remarkable sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to orchestrate His divine purposes even through the moral failings and dysfunctional choices of His people. Rebekah's desperate act of protection, though born of favoritism and fear, paradoxically aligns with God's overarching plan to preserve the covenant lineage through Jacob. This forced journey to Haran becomes a providential crucible for Jacob's spiritual growth, character development, and the eventual formation of the family that will become the nation of Israel. It underscores that God's faithfulness to His promises transcends human imperfection and that difficult circumstances can often be instrumental in His redemptive work.

* [Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's Promise to Jacob at Bethel")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "The Lord Directs Our Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:43 serves as a poignant reminder that our choices, particularly those involving deception or compromise, carry significant consequences that can ripple through our lives and relationships. Jacob's immediate exile highlights the painful repercussions of his actions, demonstrating that even when our intentions might seem to align with a perceived "greater good" (like securing a blessing), God never condones sin. For us today, this narrative calls for a deep commitment to integrity and truthfulness in all our dealings. However, the passage also offers profound hope: even in the midst of self-inflicted difficulties or forced separations, God remains sovereign. Just as Jacob's exile became a period of profound spiritual formation and the foundation for his family, our own challenging circumstances, whether self-imposed or divinely ordained, can be crucibles for growth, purification, and the unfolding of God's purposes in our lives. We are invited to trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He can redeem our mistakes and use even our brokenness to advance His perfect plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do Jacob's actions and their immediate consequences challenge my understanding of "the ends justifying the means" in my own life?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult or uncomfortable circumstances in my life as a "crucible" for spiritual growth or character development?**
* **How does Rebekah's desperate act of protection, flawed as it was, encourage me to trust in God's providence even when human actions are imperfect?**

### FAQ
**Why did Rebekah specifically send Jacob to Laban in Haran?**

Answer: Rebekah sent Jacob to Laban, her brother, for several strategic and culturally significant reasons. Primarily, it provided a safe refuge far from Esau's immediate, murderous wrath, ensuring Jacob's physical survival. Beyond mere safety, Haran was the ancestral homeland of Abraham's family, and sending Jacob there was a culturally appropriate way to ensure he could find a wife from within their extended kin, a practice vital for maintaining lineage purity and strengthening tribal ties. This is seen later when Jacob marries Leah and Rachel, Laban's daughters, as detailed in [Genesis 29](/genesis/29 "Jacob's Marriages in Haran").

**Was Jacob's deception justified since God's plan for him to receive the blessing was ultimately fulfilled?**

Answer: No, Jacob's deception was not justified, even though God's sovereign plan for him to receive the blessing was ultimately fulfilled. The Bible consistently portrays deception as sin, and Jacob's actions led to immediate and long-lasting negative consequences, including his forced exile, family estrangement, and future troubles with Laban. While God is sovereign and can work through human sin and imperfection to achieve His purposes, as seen in [Joseph's story](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Words to His Brothers"), He does not endorse or justify the sin itself. His faithfulness to His promises does not negate the moral responsibility or the painful repercussions of human actions.

**What is the significance of Haran in the biblical narrative?**

Answer: Haran holds immense significance in the biblical narrative. It was the place where Abraham's family settled after leaving Ur of the Chaldeans, and where Terah, Abraham's father, died before Abraham continued his journey to Canaan, as recorded in [Genesis 11:31-32](/genesis/11-31-32 "Terah's Journey and Death in Haran"). For Jacob, Haran became a pivotal location for his personal and familial development. During his twenty-year stay there, he married Leah and Rachel, fathered eleven of his twelve sons, and accumulated significant wealth, transforming from a solitary fugitive into the patriarch of a large family, laying the foundational framework for the twelve tribes of Israel, as chronicled throughout [Genesis 29-31](/genesis/29-31 "Jacob's Life with Laban").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's flight from Esau to Haran, though a direct consequence of his sin and a period of personal exile, paradoxically serves as a crucial step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan that ultimately culminates in Christ. Jacob, the deceiver, is sent away from the promised land, a poignant foreshadowing of humanity's spiritual exile due to sin, yet God's unwavering promise to him at Bethel—"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go" ([Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's Promise to Jacob at Bethel"))—ensures the continuation of the covenant line. This journey highlights God's faithfulness to His promises despite human imperfection, demonstrating that His purposes cannot be thwarted by sin but are ultimately achieved through His sovereign grace. Christ is the ultimate "seed" of Abraham and Jacob, the one through whom all nations are truly blessed, as promised in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham"). Unlike Jacob, who fled due to his own sin, Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father's voice, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience to Death")). His journey to the cross involves a profound "exile" from the Father for humanity's sake, bearing the weight of our sin, ultimately leading to the restoration and fulfillment of all God's promises made to the patriarchs, offering true refuge and reconciliation for all who believe, as described in [2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "God Reconciling the World to Himself Through Christ").

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 27:8

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

Genesis 11:31

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

Genesis 27:13

And his mother said unto him, Upon me [be] thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me [them].

Acts 5:29

Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Jeremiah 35:14

The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.

Genesis 24:29

¶ And Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was] Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

Genesis 28:7

And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;