King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:31 Mean?

Genesis 27:31 in the King James Version says “And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and ea...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.”

Genesis 27:31 · KJV

Context

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.

31

And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.

32

And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.

33

And Isaac trembled very exceedingly , and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed. trembled: Heb. trembled with a great trembling greatly taken: Heb. hunted

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my ... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How should this truth about Esau's Anger shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ1 of 16

“And he also had made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

גַּם2 of 16
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הוּא֙3 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מַטְעַמִּ֔ים4 of 16

“savoury meat”

H4303

a delicacy

וַיָּבֵ֖א5 of 16

“and brought it”

H935

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

אָבִי֙6 of 16

“Let my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר7 of 16

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָבִי֙8 of 16

“Let my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

יָקֻ֤ם9 of 16

“arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אָבִי֙10 of 16

“Let my father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְיֹאכַל֙11 of 16

“and eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מִצֵּ֣יד12 of 16

“venison”

H6718

(generally) lunch (especially for a journey)

בְּנ֔וֹ13 of 16

“of his 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

בַּֽעֲבֻ֖ר14 of 16
H5668

properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that

תְּבָרֲכַ֥נִּי15 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

נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃16 of 16

“that thy 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

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 27:31 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 27:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 27:4

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