King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:38 Mean?

Genesis 27:38 in the King James Version says “And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lift...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 27:38 · KJV

Context

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

40

And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my f... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 17

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֵשָׂ֛ו2 of 17

“And Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִ֑י4 of 17

“me even me also O my father”

H1

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

הַֽבְרָכָ֨ה5 of 17

“blessing”

H1293

benediction; by implication prosperity

אַחַ֤ת6 of 17

“Hast thou but one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הִֽוא7 of 17
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

לְךָ֙8 of 17
H0
אָבִ֑י9 of 17

“me even me also O my father”

H1

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

בָּרֲכֵ֥נִי10 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

גַם11 of 17
H1571

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

אָ֖נִי12 of 17
H589

i

אָבִ֑י13 of 17

“me even me also O my father”

H1

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

וַיִּשָּׂ֥א14 of 17

“lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֵשָׂ֛ו15 of 17

“And Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

קֹל֖וֹ16 of 17

“his voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וַיֵּֽבְךְּ׃17 of 17

“and wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

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 27:38 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 27:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 12:17Genesis 27:34Proverbs 1:24-26Genesis 27:36Genesis 49:28Isaiah 65:14

Test Your Knowledge

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

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