King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:34 Mean?

Genesis 27:34 in the King James Version says “And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, B...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 27:34 · KJV

Context

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.

36

And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? Jacob: that is, A supplanter

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and sai... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּשְׁמֹ֤עַ1 of 17

“heard”

H8085

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

עֵשָׂו֙2 of 17

“And when Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אֶת3 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דִּבְרֵ֣י4 of 17

“the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אָבִֽי׃5 of 17

“me even me also O my father”

H1

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

וַיִּצְעַ֣ק6 of 17

“he cried”

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

צְעָקָ֔ה7 of 17

“cry”

H6818

a shriek

גְּדֹלָ֥ה8 of 17

“with a great”

H1419

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

וּמָרָ֖ה9 of 17

“bitter”

H4751

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly

עַד10 of 17
H5704

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

מְאֹ֑ד11 of 17

“and exceeding”

H3966

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר12 of 17

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָבִֽי׃13 of 17

“me even me also O my father”

H1

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

בָּרֲכֵ֥נִי14 of 17

“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

גַם15 of 17
H1571

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

אָ֖נִי16 of 17
H589

i

אָבִֽי׃17 of 17

“me even me also O my father”

H1

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

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 27:34 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 27:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 12:17Proverbs 1:311 Samuel 30:4Luke 13:24-28Proverbs 1:24-28Proverbs 19:3

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