King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:5 Mean?

Genesis 27:5 in the King James Version says “And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.”

Genesis 27:5 · KJV

Context

3

Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison ; take: Heb. hunt

4

And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

5

And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

6

And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

7

Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, ... 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 theological truths about Stolen Blessing emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְרִבְקָ֣ה1 of 13

“And Rebekah”

H7259

ribkah, the wife of isaac

שֹׁמַ֔עַת2 of 13

“heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּדַבֵּ֣ר3 of 13

“spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יִצְחָ֔ק4 of 13

“when Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

אֶל5 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֵשָׂו֙6 of 13

“And Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

בְּנ֑וֹ7 of 13

“his 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

וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ8 of 13
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עֵשָׂו֙9 of 13

“And Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה10 of 13

“to the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

לָצ֥וּד11 of 13

“to hunt”

H6679

to victual (for a journey)

צַ֖יִד12 of 13

“for venison”

H6718

(generally) lunch (especially for a journey)

לְהָבִֽיא׃13 of 13

“and to bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

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 27:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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