King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:25 Mean?

Genesis 27:25 in the King James Version says “And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it nea...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.”

Genesis 27:25 · KJV

Context

23

And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.

24

And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

25

And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.

26

And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

27

And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. A... 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.

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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 obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 16

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וַיַּגֶּשׁ2 of 16

“Bring it near”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

לִּי֙3 of 16
H0
וַיֹּאכַ֔ל4 of 16

“to him and he did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מִצֵּ֣יד5 of 16

“venison”

H6718

(generally) lunch (especially for a journey)

בְּנִ֔י6 of 16

“of my son's”

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

לְמַ֥עַן7 of 16
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תְּבָֽרֶכְךָ֖8 of 16

“may bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

נַפְשִׁ֑י9 of 16

“that my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וַיַּגֶּשׁ10 of 16

“Bring it near”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

לוֹ֙11 of 16
H0
וַיֹּאכַ֔ל12 of 16

“to him and he did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַיָּ֧בֵא13 of 16

“and he brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

ל֦וֹ14 of 16
H0
יַ֖יִן15 of 16

“him wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וַיֵּֽשְׁתְּ׃16 of 16

“and he drank”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

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 27:25 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 27:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 27:4

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