King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:33 Mean?

Genesis 27:33 in the King James Version says “And Isaac trembled very exceedingly , and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 27:33 · KJV

Context

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

34

And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

35

And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought... 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 can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֶּֽחֱרַ֨ד1 of 22

“trembled”

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

יִצְחָ֣ק2 of 22

“And Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

חֲרָדָה֮3 of 22
H2731

fear, anxiety

גְּדֹלָ֣ה4 of 22

“very”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

עַד5 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מְאֹד֒6 of 22

“exceedingly”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַיֹּ֡אמֶר7 of 22

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִֽי8 of 22
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

אֵפ֡וֹא9 of 22

“Who where”

H645

strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then

ה֣וּא10 of 22
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

הַצָּֽד11 of 22

“is he that hath taken”

H6679

to victual (for a journey)

צַיִד֩12 of 22

“venison”

H6718

(generally) lunch (especially for a journey)

תָּב֖וֹא13 of 22

“and brought”

H935

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

לִ֜י14 of 22
H0
וָֽאֹכַ֥ל15 of 22

“it me and I have eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מִכֹּ֛ל16 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּטֶ֥רֶם17 of 22
H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

תָּב֖וֹא18 of 22

“and brought”

H935

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

בָּר֖וּךְ19 of 22

“and have blessed”

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

גַּם20 of 22
H1571

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

בָּר֖וּךְ21 of 22

“and have blessed”

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

יִֽהְיֶֽה׃22 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

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 27:33 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 27:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 28:3-4Ephesians 1:3Romans 11:29Job 21:6John 10:10Romans 5:20-21

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