Genesis 27:45

KJV

Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget [that] which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

KJV (with Strong's)

Until thy brother's {H251} anger {H639} turn away {H7725} from thee, and he forget {H7911} that which thou hast done {H6213} to him: then I will send {H7971}, and fetch {H3947} thee from thence: why {H4100} should I be deprived {H7921} also of you both {H8147} in one {H259} day {H3117}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Your brother's anger will turn away from you, and he will forget what you did to him. Then I'll send and bring you back from there. Why should I lose both of you on the same day?"

Berean Standard Bible

until your brother’s rage against you wanes and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send for you and bring you back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?”

American Standard Version

until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Rebekah, in a moment of urgent maternal concern, counsels her favored son Jacob to flee from the murderous wrath of his brother Esau. Following Jacob's deceptive acquisition of the patriarchal blessing, Esau's rage threatens his life. She instructs Jacob to seek refuge with her brother Laban in Haran, promising to send for him once Esau's intense anger has subsided and his grievance has been released. Her profound fear is articulated in the desperate rhetorical question, "why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?", revealing her dread of losing Jacob to Esau's vengeance and potentially Esau himself to judicial consequence or permanent estrangement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is spoken by Rebekah at a pivotal and highly charged moment in the patriarchal narrative, immediately following Jacob's successful deception of his blind father Isaac to steal the blessing intended for Esau. The preceding verses [Genesis 27:30-40](/genesis/27-30-40 "Isaac's blessing of Jacob and Esau's anguish") detail Esau's profound anguish and bitter cry upon realizing he has been cheated, culminating in his murderous vow against Jacob in [Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's vow to kill Jacob"). Rebekah, having been the architect of the deception, is keenly aware of Esau's deadly intent. Her words in verse 45 are part of her urgent strategy to protect Jacob, sending him away to her brother Laban in Haran, a journey that marks a significant turning point in Jacob's life and the narrative, initiating his long period of exile and formation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, patriarchal blessings were considered binding and irrevocable, carrying immense spiritual, social, and economic weight. The firstborn son typically received a double portion of the inheritance and the primary blessing, signifying leadership and the continuation of the family line. Deception to acquire such a blessing, as perpetrated by Jacob with Rebekah's connivance, was a grave offense, often meriting severe punishment or even death at the hands of the wronged party or the community. Blood vengeance was a recognized, though often destructive, means of resolving such deep grievances. Traveling to Haran, a distant region in Mesopotamia, was a common practice for seeking refuge or finding a spouse within one's extended family, as Abraham had sent his servant there to find a wife for Isaac [Genesis 24](/genesis/24 "Abraham sends for Isaac's wife"). Rebekah's plan leverages these cultural norms, albeit under duress.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major themes prevalent in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **consequences of sin and deception**, demonstrating how Jacob's actions, despite being part of God's sovereign plan, immediately lead to familial fracture, personal exile, and deep emotional pain, underscoring the painful ripple effects of dishonesty. It also subtly reinforces the theme of **divine sovereignty amidst human flaws**, as God's promise to Jacob (initially given in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Lord's prophecy to Rebekah about her sons")) will be fulfilled despite the deceptive means employed. Furthermore, Rebekah's desperate plea underscores the **destructive nature of unresolved conflict and anger** within kinship ties, a recurring motif in Genesis, from Cain and Abel [Genesis 4](/genesis/4 "Cain and Abel") to the later strife among Jacob's own sons.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Rebekah's words in Genesis 27:45 are a poignant expression of a mother's love and fear, revealing the immediate and devastating consequences of Jacob's deception. Her counsel is both practical and deeply emotional, driven by the desire to preserve her family from further tragedy.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **anger (Hebrew, _ʼaph'_):** H639. Properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire. This word denotes a strong, intense, and often visible emotional outburst, indicative of Esau's furious wrath that is palpable and dangerous. It's not a fleeting irritation but a deep-seated, passionate rage that threatens violence.
* **forget (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** H7911. To mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention; to cause to forget. This term implies more than a mere lapse of memory; it signifies a complete letting go of the offense, a ceasing to remember or hold onto the grievance. Rebekah hopes for a profound emotional and mental release from Esau's anger, indicating the deep wound inflicted by Jacob's deceit. It's a desire for Esau to truly put the offense behind him, not just suppress it.
* **deprived (Hebrew, _shâkôl'_):** H7921. Properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively); to make childless, to lose children. This powerful word conveys the deepest form of loss, specifically the loss of children. Rebekah's use of it here emphasizes the profound, unbearable tragedy she envisions—the simultaneous loss of both her sons, either through death, permanent exile, or judicial consequence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee,"**: This clause sets a condition and implies a duration for Jacob's exile. Rebekah understands the depth of Esau's rage and knows it will not dissipate quickly. The Hebrew verb for "turn away" (H7725, _shûwb_) suggests a complete reversal or turning back from his current state of fury, indicating that Jacob's return is contingent upon a significant change in Esau's emotional disposition and violent intent.
* **"and he forget [that] which thou hast done to him:"**: This further elaborates on the necessary change in Esau. It's not enough for his anger to subside; he must also "forget" the offense. As analyzed above, this "forgetting" implies a profound release of the grievance, a cessation of holding the betrayal against Jacob. This highlights the severity of Jacob's actions and the deep wound they inflicted, requiring a complete emotional and mental healing for reconciliation to be possible.
* **"then I will send, and fetch thee from thence:"**: This is Rebekah's solemn promise to Jacob, a maternal assurance that his exile is intended to be temporary. It reflects her hope for future reconciliation and reunion, and her active role in orchestrating Jacob's flight underscores her determination to protect her favored son. This promise, however, would tragically remain unfulfilled by Rebekah herself, as Jacob's exile would last for twenty years, and she likely died before his return.
* **"why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?"**: This desperate rhetorical question encapsulates Rebekah's profound anguish and the double tragedy she envisions. She fears losing Jacob, either through Esau's vengeance (murder) or through his permanent flight and estrangement. Simultaneously, she fears losing Esau, either through judicial punishment for fratricide (murdering Jacob) or through the permanent alienation and unresolved conflict that would shatter the family. The phrase "in one day" emphasizes the immediacy and simultaneous nature of the potential loss, highlighting the devastating impact of unresolved anger and the potential for irreparable damage within kinship ties.

#### Literary Devices
Rebekah's urgent plea in this verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. The phrase "why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?" is a potent **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking an answer but expressing profound fear, anguish, and the perceived inevitability of a double tragedy. This question also functions as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the catastrophic nature of losing both sons simultaneously, whether through death, exile, or permanent estrangement. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, as the long separation of Jacob from his family and the eventual, dramatic reconciliation with Esau in [Genesis 33](/genesis/33 "Jacob and Esau's Reconciliation") are implicitly hinted at. Furthermore, a subtle **Irony** exists in Rebekah's promise to "send, and fetch thee from thence," as the narrative indicates she never saw Jacob again, highlighting the unpredictable and often painful long-term consequences of human actions, even those intended to protect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 27:45 profoundly illustrates the immediate and painful consequences of sin and deception, even when God's sovereign plan is at work. Jacob's cunning actions, though ultimately leading to the fulfillment of the divine promise regarding the elder serving the younger, immediately fractured his family, initiated his prolonged exile, and inflicted deep emotional wounds, underscoring the painful ripple effects of dishonesty within human relationships. Rebekah's desperate fear highlights the profound cost of unresolved conflict and the destructive nature of bitterness, demonstrating how personal grievances can threaten the very fabric of family and community. Despite the human failings and the ensuing chaos, the narrative implicitly points to God's steadfastness in working through imperfect means to accomplish His purposes, even as it clearly condemns the deceptive actions themselves.

* [Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's vow to kill Jacob")
* [Genesis 33:4](/genesis/33-4 "Esau embraces Jacob")
* [Proverbs 15:18](/proverbs/15-18 "A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:45 serves as a powerful and poignant reminder that our actions, particularly those involving deception, betrayal, or the stirring of anger, have far-reaching and often painful consequences. Rebekah's desperate plea underscores the destructive nature of unresolved anger and the vital importance of seeking reconciliation and forgiveness in our relationships. While Jacob's story ultimately points to God's sovereign hand in fulfilling His promises, this verse highlights the profound human cost of choosing paths of deceit and the deep pain that family conflict can inflict. It encourages us to consider the long-term impact of our decisions, to value peace and unity within our relationships, and to actively strive for healing and forgiveness where division has occurred. We are called to be peacemakers, to address grievances with humility and honesty, and to trust in God's power to mend broken bonds, rather than allowing bitterness and resentment to fester and destroy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the long-term consequences of deception, even if it seems to achieve a desired outcome in the short term?**
* **How does unresolved anger, like Esau's, impact not only the offended party but also those connected to the conflict?**
* **In what ways might we, like Rebekah, try to control outcomes or protect loved ones through means that ultimately lead to greater pain or separation?**
* **What steps can we take to be agents of reconciliation and healing in our own relationships, rather than allowing conflict to escalate?**

### FAQ
**Why was Rebekah so afraid of losing both sons "in one day"?**

Answer: Rebekah's fear was multi-layered and deeply profound. She feared losing Jacob to Esau's murderous vengeance, which could result in his death, or to a permanent, distant exile from which he might never return. Simultaneously, she feared losing Esau either to the consequences of fratricide (murdering Jacob), which could lead to his execution or banishment under ancient legal codes, or to a permanent, irreconcilable estrangement from the family. The phrase "in one day" emphasizes the immediate and devastating double tragedy she envisioned, highlighting the profound and simultaneous impact of the family conflict that threatened to shatter her family completely.

**Did Esau ever truly "forget" what Jacob did, as Rebekah hoped?**

Answer: The Hebrew word *shakach* (שָׁכַח) implies more than a simple forgetting; it suggests a letting go of the grievance or ceasing to hold onto the offense. While Esau likely never completely erased the memory of the deception, his intense anger did subside significantly. The narrative in [Genesis 33:4](/genesis/33-4 "Esau embraces Jacob") shows a profound reconciliation where Esau runs to meet Jacob, embraces him, and weeps. This emotional reunion indicates that his intense anger had indeed "turned away," allowing for forgiveness and renewed relationship, even if the memory of the past injustice remained. This demonstrates the power of grace and the possibility of healing from deep wounds.

**Was Rebekah's plan to send Jacob away successful in saving him?**

Answer: Yes, Rebekah's immediate action did save Jacob from Esau's murderous intent, fulfilling her primary objective of protecting her son's life. However, the separation proved to be far longer and more profound than she likely anticipated. Jacob spent twenty years with Laban, marrying and raising a large family, and it is widely believed that Rebekah died before Jacob's eventual return to Canaan. This means her personal promise to "send, and fetch thee from thence" was never physically fulfilled by her, underscoring the often unforeseen and painful long-term consequences of the initial deception.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 27:45](/genesis/27-45 "Rebekah's plea for Jacob") vividly portrays the brokenness of human relationships due to sin and deception, it subtly points towards the ultimate reconciliation found in Christ. The deep chasm of anger and betrayal between Jacob and Esau, and Rebekah's desperate hope for it to "turn away" and be "forgotten," foreshadows humanity's profound need for reconciliation with God and with one another. Christ, through His atoning work on the cross, is the ultimate peacemaker who bridges the gap created by sin, turning away God's righteous wrath and enabling true forgiveness and reconciliation ([Romans 5:10-11](/romans/5-10-11 "Reconciled to God through Christ")). He provides the means for us to "forget" (let go of) the grievances of the past by offering new life and a new covenant, fulfilling the longing for peace and unity that Rebekah so desperately sought for her sons. Just as Jacob's exile eventually led to a surprising reunion with Esau, so too does Christ's sacrifice bring estranged humanity into a reconciled relationship with God and offers the hope for genuine peace and forgiveness among believers ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ is our peace")). He is the one who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making true spiritual and relational healing possible.

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

James 4:13

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

James 4:15

For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Proverbs 19:21

¶ [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

2 Samuel 14:6

And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and [there was] none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.

2 Samuel 14:7

And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband [neither] name nor remainder upon the earth.

Acts 28:4

And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

Genesis 4:8

¶ And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.