Genesis 27:7

KJV

Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

KJV (with Strong's)

Bring {H935} me venison {H6718}, and make {H6213} me savoury meat {H4303}, that I may eat {H398}, and bless {H1288} thee before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} before {H6440} my death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'Bring me game, and make it tasty, so I can eat it. Then I will give you my blessing in the presence of ADONAI, before my death.'

Berean Standard Bible

‘Bring me some game and prepare me a tasty dish to eat, so that I may bless you in the presence of the LORD before I die.’

American Standard Version

Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:7 records Isaac's solemn and specific directive to his eldest son, Esau, to hunt venison and prepare a special, savory meal. This instruction was a critical prerequisite for Isaac to impart the patriarchal blessing—a profound and divinely sanctioned pronouncement of inheritance, authority, and covenant favor—upon Esau "before the LORD" and in anticipation of his own imminent death. The verse meticulously highlights the ceremonial gravity of the occasion and Isaac's deep-seated desire to fulfill his sacred duty as patriarch.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 27:7 is embedded within a deeply dramatic and pivotal chapter, marking a turning point in the patriarchal narrative. Isaac, now old and blind, senses his approaching death and desires to formally bestow the patriarchal blessing upon his firstborn, Esau, as detailed in [Genesis 27:1-4](/genesis/27-1-4 "Isaac's Instructions to Esau"). This verse, specifically, captures Isaac's precise request for the meal that would precede this momentous act. Immediately following this instruction, Rebekah, overhearing the conversation, initiates her elaborate plan to deceive Isaac and secure the blessing for Jacob, her favored son, as narrated in [Genesis 27:5-17](/genesis/27-5-17 "Rebekah's Plan to Deceive Isaac"). The verse thus serves as the direct catalyst for the unfolding deception that profoundly impacts the family's future and the trajectory of God's covenantal promises.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly within early Israelite patriarchal society, the firstborn son held a position of significant privilege, including the right to a double portion of the inheritance and the spiritual headship of the family, known as the birthright. The patriarchal blessing was not merely a wish but a binding, prophetic declaration believed to carry divine authority and determine the recipient's future destiny. It was often pronounced by the patriarch on his deathbed, making it a final, irrevocable act. The preparation and consumption of a special meal, especially one involving game hunted by the son, was a common cultural practice to mark solemn covenants, important transitions, or to invoke a sense of well-being and favor before a significant spiritual act. Isaac's preference for venison aligns with Esau's identity as a skilled hunter, emphasizing a personal connection and perhaps a desire to honor Esau's particular gifts.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 27:7 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **primogeniture** and its significance, even as God's sovereign plan often transcends human conventions, as foreshadowed in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's Prophecy to Rebekah: The Elder Shall Serve the Younger"). The verse also introduces the theme of **deception** as a means to achieve desired outcomes, setting the stage for the elaborate trickery employed by Rebekah and Jacob, a recurring motif in the patriarchal narratives. Furthermore, it underscores the **power and perceived irrevocability of spoken blessings**, particularly those invoked "before the LORD," which were understood to carry divine weight and shape destiny. Finally, Isaac's awareness of his impending death brings to the forefront the theme of **legacy and the intergenerational transfer of covenant promises**, as patriarchs sought to ensure the continuity of their spiritual heritage before their passing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 27:7 states, "Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death." This verse reveals Isaac's deliberate and ritualistic approach to bestowing the patriarchal blessing.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bless (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** H1288 (bârak) is a primitive root meaning "to kneel," and by implication, "to bless God (as an act of adoration)" or "man (as a benefit)." It also carries the euphemistic sense of "to curse" in certain contexts, highlighting its powerful, binding nature. Here, Isaac intends to confer a profound benefit and divine favor upon Esau, invoking God's presence to validate the pronouncement. The act of blessing was understood to be a conduit for God's power and promises.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068 (Yᵉhôvâh) derives from the verb "to be" and signifies "the Self-Existent or Eternal One." This is the proper, covenantal name of God, Jehovah, emphasizing His unchanging, sovereign nature. Isaac's intention to bless "before the LORD" signifies that this act was not merely a human transaction but one performed in God's presence, invoking His authority and making Him the witness and guarantor of the blessing's efficacy.
* **savoury meat (Hebrew, _maṭʻam'_):** H4303 (maṭʻam) refers to a "delicacy" or "dainty meat." This term emphasizes that the meal was not ordinary but a specially prepared, highly palatable dish. Its inclusion highlights the ceremonial importance of the food, intended to bring pleasure and perhaps invigorate Isaac for the solemn act of blessing. It underscores the personal and sensory aspect of Isaac's preparation for this momentous spiritual event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat,"**: These are Isaac's direct commands, highlighting his specific desire for a meal prepared from hunted game, which was Esau's specialty. "Venison" (צַיִד, _tsayid_) refers to the product of the chase, emphasizing Esau's identity as a hunter. The "savoury meat" (מַטְעַם, _maṭʻam_) indicates a preference for a rich, flavorful dish, signifying its ceremonial importance and Isaac's personal enjoyment as a prerequisite for the blessing.
* **"that I may eat,"**: This clause reveals the purpose of the meal: Isaac's personal consumption. The act of eating this specific food was integral to Isaac's preparation for the blessing. It was perhaps intended to physically strengthen him, to create a sense of contentment, or to serve as a ritualistic act that would attune him spiritually for the weighty task of pronouncing a blessing that carried divine authority and spiritual weight.
* **"and bless thee before the LORD"**: This is the core purpose of Isaac's request. The "blessing" (בָּרַךְ, _bârak_) was a formal, prophetic declaration of divine favor, inheritance, and future prosperity. To pronounce it "before the LORD" (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, _liphnê Yᵉhôvâh_) signifies that the blessing was not merely a human pronouncement but was invoked in the very presence of God, giving it divine authority and spiritual weight. This made the blessing sacred and, in their understanding, irreversible once spoken.
* **"before my death."**: Isaac's explicit mention of his impending mortality adds urgency and solemnity to his request. He desired to fulfill his duty as patriarch by formally passing on the spiritual legacy and covenant promises before his passing. This phrase underscores the finality and gravity of the blessing, as it was understood to be a dying father's ultimate spiritual legacy to his son.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident as Isaac's specific request for venison and a savory meal sets the precise conditions that Rebekah and Jacob will exploit for their deception. This creates **dramatic irony**, as the reader is aware of God's prior prophecy regarding Jacob and Esau ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's Prophecy to Rebekah")), knowing that Isaac's intended recipient will not ultimately receive the blessing. The meal itself functions as **symbolism**, representing not just sustenance but a ceremonial preparation for a sacred act, a means to invoke a specific atmosphere for the transfer of spiritual authority. Isaac's **blindness** (mentioned in the preceding verses) stands in stark **contrast** to his desire for a sensory experience through food, highlighting his physical limitations against his spiritual intent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 27:7 powerfully illustrates the ancient Israelite understanding of the patriarchal blessing as a profoundly significant and binding spiritual act. It was not a mere wish, but a divinely-invoked declaration of future destiny, conveying spiritual authority, material prosperity, and the continuation of God's covenant promises. Isaac's meticulous preparations underscore the solemnity and perceived irrevocability of this pronouncement, made in the very presence of the LORD. However, this verse also subtly introduces the tension between human preference and divine sovereignty, as Isaac's clear intention to bless Esau stands in stark contrast to God's pre-ordained plan for Jacob, which ultimately unfolds through human agency, even if flawed.

* [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's Prophecy to Rebekah: The Elder Shall Serve the Younger") - God's pre-birth prophecy to Rebekah regarding the two nations within her, and that "the elder shall serve the younger," directly contrasts Isaac's intention.
* [Hebrews 12:16-17](/hebrews/12-16-17 "Esau's Rejection and Regret") - This New Testament passage reflects on Esau's later regret and inability to change his father's mind, underscoring the finality and spiritual weight of the blessing, once given.
* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "The Lord's Purpose Prevails") - This proverb encapsulates the broader theological truth that while human beings may devise many plans, it is the Lord's purpose that ultimately prevails, a truth powerfully demonstrated in the Jacob and Esau narrative.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:7 serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power and weight of spoken words, particularly those uttered with intentionality and spiritual authority. Isaac believed his blessing would be final and binding, underscoring the profound impact our declarations can have, whether in blessing or in judgment. This narrative challenges us to consider the gravity of our own words, especially within our families and communities, and to use them to build up and impart grace. Furthermore, the tension between Isaac's human preference for Esau and God's ultimate purpose for Jacob encourages us to humbly submit our plans and desires to God's sovereign will. Even amidst human flaws and deceptions, God's overarching purposes are accomplished, reminding us that His wisdom far surpasses our own. We are called to seek God's guidance diligently, trusting that His perfect will, not our personal biases or flawed methods, will ultimately prevail in our lives and in the lives of those we seek to bless.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Isaac's desire to bless Esau "before the LORD" inform our understanding of the sacredness of our own words and commitments?**
* **In what ways might we, like Isaac, sometimes allow personal preferences or earthly considerations to overshadow God's revealed will or purposes?**
* **What does this narrative teach us about God's sovereignty working through, and sometimes despite, human actions and imperfections?**
* **How can we intentionally pass on a spiritual legacy to the next generation with integrity and in alignment with God's will?**

### FAQ

**Why was a specific meal, like venison and savoury meat, so important for the blessing?**

Answer: The meal served multiple significant purposes. Culturally, in the ancient Near East, important events such as covenants, blessings, or farewells were often accompanied by a shared meal, symbolizing fellowship, agreement, and the solemnity of the occasion. For Isaac, the "savoury meat" (Hebrew _maṭʻam_, meaning "delicacy") was a personal preference, intended to bring him pleasure and perhaps invigorate him for the weighty spiritual act. It also functioned as a ritualistic preparation, creating a sensory and ceremonial atmosphere that enhanced the perceived spiritual efficacy and solemnity of the blessing. It was a tangible act of preparation for an intangible, yet profoundly real, spiritual transfer of authority and favor.

**What does "bless thee before the LORD" signify?**

Answer: This phrase indicates that the blessing was not merely a human wish or a father's kind words, but a sacred pronouncement invoked directly in the presence of God. It implied that God Himself was a witness to the blessing and the ultimate guarantor of its fulfillment. This made the patriarchal blessing profoundly spiritual, carrying divine authority and making it, in their understanding, irrevocable once uttered. It was believed to be a conduit through which God's covenant promises and favor would flow to the recipient.

**Was the patriarchal blessing truly irrevocable, even if given deceptively?**

Answer: In the narrative, the blessing, once pronounced, was indeed treated as binding and irreversible. Isaac lamented the deception but did not revoke the blessing given to Jacob, stating, "I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed!" ([Genesis 27:33](/genesis/27-33 "Isaac's Realization and Affirmation of Jacob's Blessing")). The theological understanding was that a blessing spoken "before the LORD" carried a divine weight that human will could not easily undo. This highlights the immense power of spoken words within a covenantal framework, even as God's sovereign plan ultimately works through human actions, flawed or otherwise, to achieve His purposes. Esau's later anguish and inability to secure the primary blessing further underscore its perceived finality, as seen in [Hebrews 12:17](/hebrews/12-17 "Esau's Tearful Plea for a Blessing").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The earthly patriarchal blessing sought by Isaac, a declaration of physical inheritance and divine favor for a specific lineage, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual blessings and eternal inheritance found exclusively in Christ. While Isaac's blessing was tied to physical birthright and the land, Jesus Christ is the true and eternal heir of all things, through whom believers receive an immeasurable spiritual inheritance, as detailed in [Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3-14 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ"). The tension between Isaac's human preference for Esau and God's divine, electing purpose for Jacob points to the foundational truth of God's sovereign plan of salvation, which is not based on human merit, birthright, or even the flawed means of deception, but solely on His gracious election and the perfect, redemptive work of Christ. Christ Himself is the ultimate "savoury meat," the true [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life"), whose perfect sacrifice provides eternal spiritual sustenance and through whom we are truly blessed "before the LORD," receiving an irrevocable, eternal blessing and adoption into God's family, a blessing far surpassing any earthly inheritance, secured not by human manipulation but by divine grace and truth in the person of our [Lord Jesus Christ](/ephesians/1-7 "Redemption Through His Blood").

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

Joshua 6:26

And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

1 Samuel 24:19

For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

Deuteronomy 33:1

¶ And this [is] the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.