King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:28 Mean?

Genesis 27:28 in the King James Version says “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:”

Genesis 27:28 · KJV

Context

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:

28

Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

29

Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

30

And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and w... 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. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְיִֽתֶּן1 of 10

“give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֙2 of 10
H0
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים3 of 10

“Therefore God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִטַּל֙4 of 10

“thee of the dew”

H2919

dew (as covering vegetation)

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם5 of 10

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וּמִשְׁמַנֵּ֖י6 of 10

“and the fatness”

H4924

fat, i.e., (literally and abstractly) fatness; but usually (figuratively and concretely) a rich dish, a fertile field, a robust man

הָאָ֑רֶץ7 of 10

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְרֹ֥ב8 of 10

“and plenty”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

דָּגָ֖ן9 of 10

“of corn”

H1715

properly, increase, i.e., grain

וְתִירֹֽשׁ׃10 of 10

“and wine”

H8492

must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine

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 27:28 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 27:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 33:28Deuteronomy 33:13Psalms 133:3Hosea 14:5-7Psalms 65:9-13Deuteronomy 7:13

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