Genesis 27:46

KJV

And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these [which are] of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Rebekah {H7259} said {H559} to Isaac {H3327}, I am weary {H6973} of my life {H2416} because {H6440} of the daughters {H1323} of Heth {H2845}: if Jacob {H3290} take {H3947} a wife {H802} of the daughters {H1323} of Heth {H2845}, such as these which are of the daughters {H1323} of the land {H776}, what good {H4100} shall my life {H2416} do me?

Complete Jewish Bible

Rivkah said to Yitz'chak, "I'm sick to death of Hitti women! If Ya'akov marries one of the Hitti women, like those who live here, my life won't be worth living."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a Hittite wife from among them, what good is my life?”

American Standard Version

And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these, of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Genesis 27:46, Rebekah expresses deep personal distress to Isaac over the prospect of Jacob marrying a Canaanite woman, specifically from the "daughters of Heth." This lament, though seemingly genuine parental concern, serves as a strategic pretext to convince Isaac to send Jacob away to Paddan-aram, thereby protecting him from Esau's murderous rage while simultaneously ensuring Jacob marries within their extended family, preserving the covenant lineage.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 27:46 unfolds immediately after Jacob, at Rebekah's instigation, deceitfully secured the patriarchal blessing from his blind father, Isaac ([Genesis 27:28-29](/genesis/27-28 "Jacob receives Isaac's blessing")). This act ignited Esau's murderous fury, prompting him to vow to kill Jacob once Isaac had passed away ([Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's murderous intent against Jacob")). Upon discovering Esau's plan ([Genesis 27:42](/genesis/27-42 "Rebekah learns of Esau's plan")), Rebekah, ever protective of her favored son, devises a clever, yet manipulative, strategy to ensure Jacob's safety. The verse reveals her chosen pretext: expressing profound concern to Isaac about Jacob potentially marrying one of the "daughters of Heth," a term referring to Hittite women, a prominent Canaanite people. Esau had already married two such women, Judith and Basemath, which had been a source of "grief of mind" to Isaac and Rebekah ([Genesis 26:34-35](/genesis/26-34 "Esau's Hittite wives cause grief")). Rebekah expertly exploits this existing parental distress to persuade Isaac to send Jacob to Paddan-aram to find a wife from her own kindred, thereby simultaneously safeguarding Jacob from Esau's vengeance and ensuring the preservation of the covenant family's spiritual and ethnic purity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Rebekah's statement to Isaac in [Genesis 27:46](/genesis/27-46 "Rebekah's lament to Isaac") reveals a layered motive, balancing genuine concern with strategic manipulation.

* **"I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth"**: The Hebrew phrase `קָצְתִּי בְחַיַּי` (_qats'ti b'chayyāy_) translates more intensely than simple weariness; it conveys a profound sense of disgust, loathing, or being utterly fed up. Rebekah is expressing a deep emotional aversion to the very idea of Jacob marrying a Canaanite woman. This sentiment is rooted in the previous distress caused by Esau's marriages to Hittite women, which were a "grief of mind" to both Isaac and Rebekah ([Genesis 26:34-35](/genesis/26-34 "Esau's wives cause grief to Isaac and Rebekah")).
* **"if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these [which are] of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?"**: This rhetorical question underscores the severity of her feigned distress. "Daughters of Heth" and "daughters of the land" are used interchangeably here to denote indigenous Canaanite women, emphasizing their non-Israelite heritage and the associated spiritual and cultural dangers. Rebekah leverages this existing parental concern to present a compelling, yet partially deceptive, reason for Jacob's departure.
* **Underlying Motives**: While her stated reason is concern for Jacob's marital choices, her primary, urgent motive is to protect Jacob from Esau's murderous intentions ([Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's vow to kill Jacob")). She had learned of Esau's plan ([Genesis 27:42](/genesis/27-42 "Rebekah discovers Esau's plot")) and needed a plausible reason to send Jacob away without revealing the family strife to Isaac. This also aligns with the broader patriarchal concern for maintaining a distinct lineage for the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

The verse highlights several key aspects:

* **Parental Concern and Disappointment**: Rebekah's lament, while serving as a ruse, genuinely reflects the deep distress she and Isaac felt over Esau's choice of wives. This underscores the significant parental concern for the spiritual and cultural purity of their children's marriages in ancient Israelite society, especially within the covenant line.
* **Manipulation and Deception**: This verse showcases Rebekah's continued pattern of manipulation within the family. Her stated reason for being "weary of life" serves as a strategic justification to send Jacob away, concealing the true, urgent motive of protecting him from Esau's vengeance.
* **Importance of Lineage and Covenant Purity**: The strong aversion to marrying "daughters of the land" underscores the crucial biblical theme of maintaining a distinct, pure lineage for the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham. Intermarriage with Canaanites was seen as a threat to this spiritual integrity and the future of the chosen nation ([Exodus 34:16](/exodus/34-16 "Warning against intermarriage in Exodus 34:16"), [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Reasons for avoiding intermarriage in Deuteronomy 7:3")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Imperfection**: Despite the pervasive human failings, deception, and family dysfunction within this narrative, God's overarching plan for the Abrahamic covenant continues to unfold. This provides a theological comfort that God can work through imperfect people and flawed circumstances to achieve His perfect purposes.
* **The Significance of Marital Choices**: The narrative implicitly teaches the profound importance of choosing a spouse who shares one's core spiritual commitments and values. Marital choices profoundly impact not only individuals but also future generations, influencing the spiritual trajectory of a family and community.
* **Consequences of Deception and Family Strife**: The entire episode, from Jacob's initial deception to Esau's anger and Rebekah's subsequent actions, illustrates the profound and often painful consequences of family dysfunction and deceit. Even well-intentioned deceit can lead to unintended and long-lasting separation and tension.
* **Parental Responsibility**: The passage underscores the significant role parents play in guiding their children's life choices, especially concerning marriage. Isaac's subsequent instruction to Jacob to find a wife from Paddan-aram ([Genesis 28:1-2](/genesis/28-1 "Isaac sends Jacob to Paddan-aram for a wife")) demonstrates his acceptance of Rebekah's counsel, even if he didn't grasp her full motive.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rebekah's desperate plea, rooted in both genuine concern and strategic deception, offers enduring lessons for believers today. It highlights the profound importance of choosing a life partner who shares one's deepest spiritual values and commitment to God's will; disunity in fundamental beliefs can indeed be a source of great sorrow and "weariness" in life. Furthermore, the narrative serves as a poignant reminder that even well-intentioned deceit, like Rebekah's, often produces unintended and painful consequences, leading to family separation and ongoing tension. Ultimately, it encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, recognizing that He can work through our imperfections and flawed circumstances to accomplish His divine purposes, even as we strive to live with integrity and wisdom in our own choices.

### FAQ
**Why was intermarriage with the "daughters of Heth" such a significant concern for Rebekah and Isaac?**

Answer: Intermarriage with the "daughters of Heth" (Canaanite women) was a significant concern because it threatened the spiritual purity and distinctiveness of the Abrahamic lineage, which was crucial for the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The Canaanite peoples practiced idolatry and had morally corrupt customs, posing a direct spiritual danger to the chosen family. Such unions could lead to assimilation into pagan cultures, diluting the family's faith and jeopardizing their role as the vessel through which God's redemptive plan would unfold.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Rebekah's desperate concern for the purity of Jacob's lineage, though rooted in human manipulation, points to the broader biblical theme of preserving a holy seed through whom God's redemptive plan would ultimately be fulfilled. This meticulous care for lineage culminates in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate "seed" of Abraham and the perfect fulfillment of all God's covenant promises. While Rebekah sought to avoid the "weariness of life" caused by spiritual compromise, Christ offers true rest and freedom from the weariness of sin and the curse of a fallen world. He is the one who perfectly embodies the pure lineage and, through his atoning work, establishes a new covenant people, not by bloodline or human effort, but by faith, drawing all nations into a spiritual family that transcends earthly distinctions and fulfills God's original intent for humanity.

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.