King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:45 Mean?

Genesis 27:45 in the King James Version says “Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fet...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?”

Genesis 27:45 · KJV

Context

43

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

44

And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;

45

Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

46

And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then ... 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. 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 · 19 words
עַד1 of 19
H5704

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

שׁ֨וּב2 of 19

“turn away”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אַף3 of 19

“anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

אָחִ֜יךָ4 of 19

“Until thy brother's”

H251

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

מִמְּךָ֗5 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְשָׁכַח֙6 of 19

“from thee and he forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

אֵ֣ת7 of 19
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר8 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשִׂ֣יתָ9 of 19

“that which thou hast done”

H6213

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

לּ֔וֹ10 of 19
H0
וְשָֽׁלַחְתִּ֖י11 of 19

“to him then I will send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וּלְקַחְתִּ֣יךָ12 of 19

“and fetch”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִשָּׁ֑ם13 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לָמָ֥ה14 of 19

“thee from thence why”

H4100

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

אֶשְׁכַּ֛ל15 of 19

“should I be deprived”

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

גַּם16 of 19
H1571

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

שְׁנֵיכֶ֖ם17 of 19

“also of you both”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

י֥וֹם18 of 19

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶחָֽד׃19 of 19

“in one”

H259

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

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 27:45 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 27:45 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 27:35Lamentations 3:37James 4:13-15Proverbs 19:212 Samuel 14:6-7Genesis 4:8-16

Test Your Knowledge

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

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