King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:46 Mean?

Genesis 27:46 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Genesis 27:46 · King James Version

Context

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

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a w... 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 theological truths about Stolen Blessing emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 21

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רִבְקָה֙2 of 21

“And Rebekah”

H7259

ribkah, the wife of isaac

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִצְחָ֔ק4 of 21

“to Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

קַ֣צְתִּי5 of 21

“I am weary”

H6973

to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious

חַיִּֽים׃6 of 21

“of my life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

מִפְּנֵ֖י7 of 21

“because”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מִבְּנ֣וֹת8 of 21

“of the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

חֵ֤ת9 of 21

“of Heth”

H2845

cheth, an indigenous canaanite

אִם10 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹקֵ֣חַ11 of 21

“take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יַֽ֠עֲקֹב12 of 21

“if Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אִשָּׁ֨ה13 of 21

“a wife”

H802

a woman

מִבְּנ֣וֹת14 of 21

“of the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

חֵ֤ת15 of 21

“of Heth”

H2845

cheth, an indigenous canaanite

כָּאֵ֙לֶּה֙16 of 21
H428

these or those

מִבְּנ֣וֹת17 of 21

“of the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הָאָ֔רֶץ18 of 21

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לָ֥מָּה19 of 21

“what good”

H4100

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

לִּ֖י20 of 21
H0
חַיִּֽים׃21 of 21

“of my life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

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 27:46 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 27:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 26:34-35Genesis 24:3Genesis 28:8Genesis 34:1-2Numbers 11:15Job 14:13

Test Your Knowledge

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

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