Genesis 27:30-45

Isaac evidently knew that he had been resisting God’s will and finally accepted defeat submissively (Genesis 27:33). Besides in that culture a paternal blessing, much more a divine oracle, such as the one Isaac had uttered, was irrevocable. [Note: See A. C. Thiselton, "The Supposed Power of Words in the Biblical Writings," Journal of Theological Studies NS25:2 (October 1972):294.]

"By showing that the blessing was irrevocable, even by the father who gave the blessing, the writer underscores an important feature of the blessing-its fulfillment is out of human hands." [Note: Sailhamer, The Pentateuch . . ., p. 191.]

Perhaps Isaac did not withdraw the blessing he had given Jacob because he realized that God had overruled his carnal preference for Esau (Genesis 27:39-40).

Isaac’s prophecy to Esau was no true blessing. At best he introduced a disturbing element into the blessing he had given Jacob because Jacob had used deception to obtain it.

The mountains of Edom are some of the most desolate and barren of any on earth today. They stand to the southeast of the Dead Sea. Esau’s descendants would subsist by hunting people, just as Esau had subsisted by hunting game.

The Edomites served, revolted from, and were conquered by the Israelites repeatedly during their history. Saul defeated them after they enjoyed a long period of independence (1 Samuel 14:47). Then David made them his vassals (2 Samuel 8:14). They tried to revolt under Solomon but were unsuccessful (1 Kings 9:14 ff.). The Edomites were subject to Judah until King Joram’s reign when they rebelled successfully. In Amaziah’s reign Judah again subjugated them (2 Kings 14:7). They finally achieved permanent freedom from Judah during Ahaz’s reign (2 Kings 16:6). John Hyrcanus conquered Edom about 129 B.C., forced the Edomites to submit to circumcision, and incorporated them into the Jewish nation. Later through Antipater and Herod they established the Idumean dynasty over Judah that lasted until the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The writing prophets sometimes used the Edomites as the epitome of Israel’s enemies.

Rebekah feared the loss of both her sons as a result of her plot (Genesis 27:45). Esau might have killed Jacob, and Esau then might have fled, or the avenger of blood might have slain him (cf. Genesis 9:6).