Genesis 27:38-41

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 27:30-40

Here is, I. The covenant-blessing denied to Esau. He that made so light of the birthright would now have inherited the blessing, but he was rejected, and found no place of repentance in his father, though he sought it carefully with tears, Heb. 12:17. Observe, 1. How carefully he sought it. He prepared the savoury meat, as his father had directed him, and then begged the blessing which his father had encouraged him to expect, Gen. 27:31. When he understood that Jacob had obtained it... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 27:41-46

Here is, I. The malice Esau bore to Jacob upon account of the blessing which he had obtained, Gen. 27:41. Thus he went in the way of Cain, who slew his brother because he had gained that acceptance with God of which he had rendered himself unworthy. Esau's hatred of Jacob was, 1. A causeless hatred. He hated him for no other reason but because his father blessed him and God loved him. Note, The happiness of saints is the envy of sinners. Whom Heaven blesses, hell curses. 2. It was a cruel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:38

And Esau said unto his father, hast thou but one blessing, my father ?.... He seems to speak diminutively of what had been given to Jacob, calling it one blessing: whereas there were many, and of different sorts, both temporal and spiritual; but it may be Esau had not so clear and comprehensive a view of what was contained in Jacob's blessing; or at least was willing to think and hope that there was not so much given, but there might be some behind for him, and that his father had a greater... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:39

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him ,.... Being willing to bestow what he could upon him, without lessening or breaking in upon the grant made to Jacob: behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above : this agrees with part of the blessing of Jacob, only the clauses are inverted, and no mention made of corn and wine; the land of Edom not being so fat and fruitful as the land of Canaan. Castalio renders the words very differently,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:40

And by thy sword shalt thou live ,.... By what he could get by it; his land being so poor that he could not live upon it, but must be obliged to such methods for a livelihood; or his country being surrounded with enemies, his posterity would be obliged to defend themselves by the sword, and other weapons of war: and shalt serve thy brother ; which is the sense and language of the oracle, Genesis 25:23 ; and which Isaac perhaps now remembered, and had a clear understanding of it, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:41

And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him ,.... It being a better blessing than his; giving him a better country, and greater plenty of good things, a larger dominion, and even dominion over him and his seed; for as for the promise of the Messiah, and spiritual blessings, he seems to have no concern about them, only temporal ones: and Esau said in his heart ; within himself, but he did not long keep it there, but told somebody of it; or otherwise, how... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:40

By thy sword shalt thou live - This does not absolutely mean that the Edomites should have constant wars; but that they should be of a fierce and warlike disposition, gaining their sustenance by hunting, and by predatory excursions upon the possessions of others. Bishop Newton speaks on this subject with his usual good sense and judgment: "The elder branch, it is here foretold, should delight more in war and violence, but yet should be subdued by the younger. By thy sword shalt thou live,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:41

The days of mourning for my father are at hand - Such was the state of Isaac's health at that time, though he lived more than forty years afterwards, that his death was expected by all; and Esau thought that would be a favorable time for him to avenge himself on his brother Jacob, as, according to the custom of the times, the sons were always present at the burial of the father. Ishmael came from his own country to assist Isaac to bury Abraham; and both Jacob and Esau assisted in burying... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:38

Verse 38 38.Hast thou but one blessing ? Esau seems to take courage; but he neglects the care of his soul, and turns, like a swine, to the pampering of his flesh. He had heard that his father had nothing left to grant; because, truly, the full and entire grace of God so rested upon Jacob, that out of his family there was no happiness. Wherefore, if Esau sought his own welfare, he ought to have drawn from that fountain, and rather to have subjected himself to his brother, than to have cut... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:39

Verse 39 39.Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth. At length Esau obtains what he had asked. For, perceiving himself to be cast down from the rank and honor of primogeniture, he chooses rather to have prosperity in the world, separated from the holy people, than to submit to the yoke of his younger brother. But it may be thought that Isaac contradicts himself, in offering a new benediction, when he had before declared, that he had given to his son Jacob all that was placed at... read more

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