Genesis 27:42

Translations

Modern

When the words of her older son Esau were relayed to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and told him, “Look, your brother Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you.

Traditional

And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.

Literal

And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah, and she sent and called for Jacob her younger son, and she said to him, “Behold, Esau your brother is comforting himself concerning you, to kill you.

Latin

Nuntiata sunt hæc Rebeccæ: quæ mittens et vocans Jacob filium suum, dixit ad eum: Ecce Esau frater tuus minatur ut occidat te.

Original

Hebrew

English

When the words of her older son Esau were relayed to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and told him, “Look, your brother Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you.

Notes

Genesis 27:42–33:17

Jacob met the Lord on a road that Abraham had traveled 125 years earlier. The story in 27:42–33:17 follows a pattern (called a "chiasm") focusing on Jacob’s exile:

A: Jacob runs away from Esau (27:42–28:9)
- B: Angels of God meet Jacob at Bethel (28:10–22)
  - C: Jacob lives in exile in Paddan-aram (29:1–31:55)
- B’: Angels of God meet Jacob at Mahanaim (32:1–2)
A’: Jacob reconciles with Esau (32:3–33:17).

Genesis 27:41–45

Rebekah and Jacob received the blessing, but Esau hated them for it. They also separated from one another. The Bible does not indicate that Rebekah and Jacob ever saw each other again.

They gained nothing that God would not have given them anyway. Their actions came at the expense of their relationship. Jacob had to flee from home to escape Esau's vengeance.

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Isaac Jacob Leah Rebekah Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 37:18–20
Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.
Proverbs 4:16–17
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
Psalm 64:5
They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.
Job 20:12–14
Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,
Proverbs 2:14
…from those who enjoy doing evil and rejoice in the twistedness of evil,
Genesis 42:21–22
Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”
1 Samuel 30:5
David’s two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken captive.

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Rebekah: Wife of Isaac; mother of Jacob and Esau

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birthright Ebla Tablets Esau Genealogy Genesis, Book of Haran (Place) Idumea, Idumeans Isaac Jacob Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Rebecca, Rebekah

Topics

Family: Infelicity In of Isaac, on Account of the Disagreement Between Jacob and Esau Jacob: Esau Seeks to Kill, Escapes to Padan-Aram Rebekah (Rebecca): Sends Jacob to Laban, Her Brother

Genesis 27:42

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