King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:13 Mean?

Genesis 27:13 in the King James Version says “And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.”

Genesis 27:13 · KJV

Context

11

And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

12

My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.

13

And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

14

And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

15

And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: goodly: Heb. desirable

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 12

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙2 of 12
H0
אִמּ֔וֹ3 of 12

“And his mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

עָלַ֥י4 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

קִלְלָֽתְךָ֖5 of 12

“unto him Upon me be thy curse”

H7045

vilification

בְּנִ֑י6 of 12

“my son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַ֛ךְ7 of 12
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

שְׁמַ֥ע8 of 12

“only obey”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּקֹלִ֖י9 of 12

“my voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וְלֵ֥ךְ10 of 12
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

קַֽח11 of 12

“fetch”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לִֽי׃12 of 12
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 27:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 27:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:251 Samuel 25:242 Samuel 14:91 Samuel 14:24-28Genesis 27:8Genesis 25:23

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 27 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 27 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes