King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:37 Mean?

Genesis 27:37 in the King James Version says “And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for se...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? sustained: or, supported”

Genesis 27:37 · KJV

Context

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

37

And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? sustained: or, supported

38

And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

39

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; the fatness: or, of the fatness

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I... 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 contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיַּ֨עַן1 of 22

“answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יִצְחָ֜ק2 of 22

“And Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר3 of 22

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְעֵשָׂ֗ו4 of 22

“unto Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

הֵ֣ן5 of 22
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

גְּבִ֞יר6 of 22

“him thy lord”

H1376

a master

שַׂמְתִּ֥יו7 of 22

“Behold I have made”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לָךְ֙8 of 22
H0
וְאֶת9 of 22
H853

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

כָּל10 of 22
H3605

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

אֶחָ֗יו11 of 22

“and all his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

נָתַ֤תִּי12 of 22

“have I given”

H5414

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

לוֹ֙13 of 22
H0
לַֽעֲבָדִ֔ים14 of 22

“to him for servants”

H5650

a servant

וְדָגָ֥ן15 of 22

“and with corn”

H1715

properly, increase, i.e., grain

וְתִירֹ֖שׁ16 of 22

“and wine”

H8492

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

סְמַכְתִּ֑יו17 of 22

“have I sustained”

H5564

to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)

וּלְכָ֣ה18 of 22
H0
אֵפ֔וֹא19 of 22

“now”

H645

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

מָ֥ה20 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה21 of 22

“him and what shall I do”

H6213

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

בְּנִֽי׃22 of 22

“unto thee my son”

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

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 27:37 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 27:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 25:23Genesis 27:28-292 Samuel 8:14Romans 9:10-12

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 27 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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