Genesis 27:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore, my son {H1121}, obey {H8085} my voice {H6963} according to that which {H834} I command {H6680} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now pay attention to me, my son; and do what I tell you.

Berean Standard Bible

Now, my son, listen to my voice and do exactly as I tell you.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:8 captures a pivotal moment where Rebekah, driven by a desire to see God's prophecy fulfilled and perhaps by her favoritism for Jacob, issues a direct and urgent command to her younger son. This instruction initiates a complex and ethically fraught scheme to deceive Isaac, ensuring Jacob receives the patriarchal blessing intended for Esau. The verse marks the critical point where human will and manipulation overtly intersect with divine purpose, setting in motion a chain of events with profound and lasting consequences for the family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the intricate family narrative of Isaac, Rebekah, and their twin sons, Esau and Jacob, found in [Genesis 25-28](/genesis/25-28 "The Narratives of Jacob and Esau"). Immediately preceding Genesis 27:8, Isaac, old and blind, expresses his intention to bestow his final, irrevocable patriarchal blessing upon Esau, his firstborn and favored hunter, after Esau brings him game ([Genesis 27:1-4](/genesis/27-1-4 "Isaac's Instructions to Esau")). Rebekah, overhearing this conversation, quickly devises a plan to secure the blessing for Jacob. Her command in Genesis 27:8 directly follows her revelation of Isaac's plan to Jacob and precedes her detailed instructions for the deception ([Genesis 27:9-17](/genesis/27-9-17 "Rebekah's Plan for Jacob")). The verse thus serves as the crucial turning point, transitioning from Isaac's intention to Rebekah's active intervention and the initiation of the manipulative plot.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the patriarchal blessing was a solemn, legally binding, and spiritually significant pronouncement, often delivered by a dying patriarch. It conferred not only material inheritance but also spiritual authority, status, and the continuation of the family line and divine covenant promises. The firstborn son typically received the primary blessing, granting him a double portion of the inheritance and leadership within the family. However, the narrative of Jacob and Esau challenges this norm, as God had already declared before their birth that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Prophecy of Jacob and Esau")). The cultural context also highlights the significant, though often indirect, influence of women within the patriarchal household, particularly in matters of lineage and divine promise, as seen in Rebekah's proactive role.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 27:8 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the tension between **divine sovereignty and human agency**, showing how human characters often resort to flawed and deceptive means to "help" God fulfill His declared purposes, rather than trusting His timing and methods. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **deception and its consequences**, as Rebekah's and Jacob's actions lead to profound family strife, Jacob's extended exile ([Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Jacob Flees Esau")), and a strained relationship with Esau. Thirdly, the verse is central to the theme of **God's election and grace**, demonstrating that God's choice of Jacob over Esau was not based on human merit or manipulation, but on His sovereign will, despite the flawed means employed by His chosen instruments. This narrative also explores the complexities of **family dynamics and obedience to authority**, particularly when human commands conflict with moral integrity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee" is a concise yet potent directive from Rebekah to Jacob, initiating the elaborate deception that will secure the patriarchal blessing.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From the root meaning "to build," this word signifies a male offspring, often implying one who builds or continues the family name. In this context, Rebekah's address "my son" (H1121) carries a dual weight: it is an affectionate term highlighting her maternal bond and favoritism, but also a direct address to the one she intends to be the inheritor of the family's future, despite his birth order.
* **obey (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H8085) means "to hear intelligently," often implying "to listen attentively with the intention of acting upon," or "to obey." It's more than mere auditory perception; it denotes a responsive and compliant hearing. Rebekah is not asking Jacob to simply listen, but to heed and act decisively upon her words, underscoring the urgency and non-negotiable nature of her request.
* **command (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** A primitive root (H6680) meaning "to constitute" or "to enjoin," often used for formal directives, royal decrees, or divine mandates. Rebekah's use of this word elevates her instruction beyond a mere suggestion; it is a binding order, reflecting her strong will and conviction that this course of action is both necessary and authoritative, at least from her perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore, my son,"**: This opening phrase establishes immediate urgency and a personal appeal. "Now therefore" acts as a logical connector, indicating that what follows is a direct consequence or imperative based on the preceding information (Rebekah having overheard Isaac's plan). The address "my son" is affectionate, yet it sets the stage for a parental command, leveraging the bond between mother and child to elicit compliance.
* **"obey my voice"**: This is the core imperative. As noted in the key word analysis, "obey" (shama) implies not just hearing but acting in compliance. Rebekah demands full and immediate submission to her instructions. The "voice" here represents her authority and the specific verbal instructions she is about to give.
* **"according to that which I command thee."**: This concluding clause reinforces the authoritative nature of Rebekah's directive. It clarifies that Jacob's obedience must be precise and complete, aligning exactly with her forthcoming instructions. The repetition of the concept of "command" (tsavah) emphasizes the gravity and non-negotiable character of her will, leaving no room for Jacob to deviate or question.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Imperative Language**, with Rebekah issuing direct commands ("obey," "command"). This highlights her strong will and decisive action in a moment of perceived crisis. The **Direct Address** "my son" personalizes the command, appealing to Jacob's filial duty and her maternal authority. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play, as the audience knows of God's prior prophecy regarding Jacob and Esau ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Prophecy of Jacob and Esau")), while Rebekah's actions, though misguided in method, are aimed at fulfilling what she believes to be God's will. This sets up the tension between human manipulation and divine sovereignty that will unfold throughout the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Rebekah's command in Genesis 27:8 serves as a poignant theological case study on the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God had already declared His intention for Jacob to receive the blessing, Rebekah and Jacob choose to achieve this divine purpose through human cunning and deception rather than trusting God's own timing and righteous methods. This highlights a recurring biblical theme: God's ultimate purposes will prevail, but human attempts to force or manipulate these outcomes through unrighteous means often lead to significant personal and relational consequences. The narrative challenges believers to consider the nature of true obedience, which ultimately prioritizes God's character and commands of truth and integrity over any human directive, even from those in authority, when such directives lead to sin.

* [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Prophecy of Jacob and Esau") - The divine oracle to Rebekah, declaring that "the elder shall serve the younger," which likely fueled her determination to ensure Jacob received the blessing.
* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Obeying God Rather Than Men") - Peter's declaration, "We must obey God rather than men," provides a New Testament principle that challenges the simplistic understanding of obedience to human authority, especially when it conflicts with divine truth.
* [Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Jacob Flees Esau") - The immediate consequence of the deception, where Rebekah urges Jacob to flee from Esau's wrath, illustrating the painful and long-lasting repercussions of their manipulative actions.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:8 stands as a powerful narrative for contemporary reflection, reminding us that not every command, even from those we respect or love, aligns with God's perfect will or righteous character. It compels us to cultivate spiritual discernment, weighing human directives against the unchanging truth of God's Word and His moral principles. We are called to trust in God's sovereign ability to fulfill His promises in His own way and time, rather than resorting to manipulation, deception, or unrighteous shortcuts, even when our intentions seem noble. Such actions, while seemingly expediting a desired outcome, invariably sow seeds of discord, erode trust, and lead to unintended, often painful, consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us. Our ultimate obedience is to God, and our methods must always reflect His character of truth and integrity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have I been tempted to use questionable means to achieve a seemingly good or divinely ordained outcome?**
* **How can I better discern between legitimate authority and commands that might lead me to compromise my integrity or God's principles?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's timing and methods more fully, rather than trying to "help" Him through my own efforts?**

### FAQ
**Was Rebekah justified in commanding Jacob to deceive Isaac, given the prophecy?**

Answer: While Rebekah might have genuinely believed she was facilitating God's prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Prophecy of Jacob and Esau")), the biblical narrative does not endorse deception as a righteous means to a divine end. God is sovereign and fully capable of fulfilling His purposes without human manipulation or sin. Rebekah's actions, though perhaps well-intentioned from her perspective, led to immediate family strife, Jacob's extended exile ([Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Jacob Flees Esau")), and long-term consequences for all involved. This demonstrates that unrighteous means do not justify a desired outcome, even if that outcome aligns with a divine promise. The narrative ultimately highlights God's faithfulness despite human failings, not because of them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative initiated by Rebekah's command in Genesis 27:8, leading to Jacob's acquisition of the blessing through deception, powerfully foreshadows the principle of God's sovereign election and the nature of true inheritance in Christ. Jacob, the younger son, receives the blessing not by his own merit or birthright, but through a flawed, human-orchestrated scheme that ultimately points to God's pre-ordained choice. This imperfect scenario finds its perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Christ is the true "firstborn" over all creation ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Christ the Firstborn")), who inherits all things not through trickery or human manipulation, but through His perfect obedience to the Father ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience and Humiliation")) and His sacrificial death on the cross ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Christ's Blood and Eternal Redemption")). Unlike Jacob, who gained a blessing through deceit, Jesus, the Son of God, truly earns the ultimate blessing and mediates it to all who believe, fulfilling God's promises through righteous means, grace, and truth, thereby bringing about a spiritual inheritance far greater than any earthly patriarchal blessing ([Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3-14 "Spiritual Blessings in 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

Ephesians 6:1

¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

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].

Genesis 27:43

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

Acts 5:29

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

Acts 4:19

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

Genesis 25:23

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people; and the elder shall serve the younger.