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Matthew Henry

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

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:40

Verse 40 40.By thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother. It is to be observed that events are here predicted which were never fulfilled in the person of Esau; and therefore, that the prophecy is concerning things at that time far distant. For Jacob was so far from having obtained dominion over his brother, that on his return from Padan-aram, he suppliantly tendered him his obedience; and the breaking off of the yoke which Isaac here mentions, is referred to a very remote period.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 27:30-40

The stolen blessing: a domestic drama.-3. Isaac and Esau, or the hunter's lamentation. I. Isaac's STARTLING DISCOVERY . 1. Unexpectedly made . The return of Esau from the hunting-field with a dish of venison was a sudden and most unpleasant revelation to the aged patriarch, showing that in some inexplicable manner he had been out-maneuvered, and, as it were, constrained against his will to bestow the blessing upon Jacob. So in common life it is not infrequently seen that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 27:40

And by thy sword shalt thou live ,—literally, upon thy sword shalt thou be, i . e . thy maintenance shall depend on thy sword; a prediction that Esau's descendants should be a warlike and tumultuous people of predatory habits (cf. Josephus, B . 1; 4. 4)— and shalt serve thy brother;— a prediction afterwards fulfilled (of. 1 Samuel 14:47 ; 2 Samuel 8:14 ; 1 Kings 11:16 ; 2 Kings 14:7-10 ; 2 Chronicles 20:22-25 )—and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 27:1-46

- Isaac Blessing His SonsThe life of Isaac falls into three periods. During the first seventy-five years he is contemporary with his father. For sixty-one years more his son Jacob remains under the paternal roof. The remaining forty-four years are passed in the retirement of old age. The chapter before us narrates the last solemn acts of the middle period of his life.Genesis 27:1-4Isaac was old. - Joseph was in his thirtieth year when he stood before Pharaoh, and therefore thirty-nine when... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:1-46

Jacob receives Isaac’s blessing (26:34-28:9)The custom in ancient times was for the father of the household to confirm the birthright on his firstborn son by giving his special blessing just before he died. People considered this blessing to be more than just a promise; they saw it as a prophecy that carried God’s favour. Isaac knew that God’s will was for Jacob, not Esau, to receive the firstborn’s blessing (see 25:23). Yet he was determined to give the blessing to Esau, even though Esau, by... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 27:40

serve. See 1 Samuel 14:47 . 2Sa 8:14 . 2 Kings 8:20 , and compare 1 Kings 22:47 . thou shalt break. Fulfilled in 2 Kings 8:20 , 2 Kings 8:22 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 27:30-40

"And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. And he also made savory food, and brought it unto his father; and he said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy first-born, Esau. And Isaac trembled exceedingly, and... read more

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