King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:39 Mean?

Genesis 27:39 in the King James Version says “And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 27:39 · KJV

Context

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.

41

And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the ea... 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. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיַּ֛עַן1 of 13

“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,

יִצְחָ֥ק2 of 13

“And Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

אָבִ֖יו3 of 13

“his father”

H1

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר4 of 13

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֑יו5 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הִנֵּ֞ה6 of 13
H2009

lo!

מִשְׁמַנֵּ֤י7 of 13

“shall be the fatness”

H4924

fat, i.e., (literally and abstractly) fatness; but usually (figuratively and concretely) a rich dish, a fertile field, a robust man

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙8 of 13

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה9 of 13
H1961

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

מֽוֹשָׁבֶ֔ךָ10 of 13

“unto him Behold thy dwelling”

H4186

a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population

וּמִטַּ֥ל11 of 13

“and of the dew”

H2919

dew (as covering vegetation)

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם12 of 13

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

מֵעָֽל׃13 of 13

“from above”

H5920

properly, the top; specifically, the highest (i.e., god); also (adverb) aloft, to jehovah

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 27:39 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 27:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 27:28Hebrews 11:20Joshua 24:4Genesis 36:6-8

Test Your Knowledge

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

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