Genesis 27:29
Genesis 27:29 in Multiple Translations
May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
Let peoples serve thee, And nations bow down to thee: Be lord over thy brethren, And let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: Cursed be every one that curseth thee, And blessed be every one that blesseth thee.
Let peoples be your servants, and nations go down before you: be lord over your brothers, and let your mother's sons go down before you: a curse be on everyone by whom you are cursed, and a blessing on those who give you a blessing.
May the people of different nations serve you and bow down to you. May you rule over your relatives, and may they bow down to you. May everyone who curses you be cursed, and may everyone who blesses you be blessed.”
Let people bee thy seruantes, and nations bowe vnto thee: be Lord ouer thy brethren, and let thy mothers children honour thee. cursed be he that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
peoples serve thee, and nations bow themselves to thee, be thou mighty over thy brethren, and the sons of thy mother bow themselves to thee; those who curse thee [are] cursed, and those who bless thee [are] blessed.'
Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you.”
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee; be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
And let peoples serve thee, and tribes worship thee: be thou lord of thy brethren, and let thy mother’s children bow down before thee. Cursed be he that curseth thee: and let him that blesseth thee be filled with blessings.
I ask that people of many nations will serve you and bow down to you. I ask that you will rule over your brothers, and that your mother’s descendants will also bow down to you. I ask that God will curse/punish those who ◄curse you/ask God to do bad things to you►, and bless those who bless you.”
I’m asking God to make you boss over other nations, so that those other nations will work for you and show you respect. I’m asking God to make you boss over your relatives, so that they will show you respect. If anyone makes trouble for you, I’m asking God to curse them, but if anyone is good to you, I’m asking God to be good to them.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 27:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 27:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יַֽעַבְד֣וּ/ךָ
עַמִּ֗ים
ו/ישתחו
וְ/יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֤וּ
לְ/ךָ֙
לְאֻמִּ֔ים
הֱוֵ֤ה
גְבִיר֙
לְ/אַחֶ֔י/ךָ
וְ/יִשְׁתַּחֲוּ֥וּ
לְ/ךָ֖
בְּנֵ֣י
אִמֶּ֑/ךָ
אֹרְרֶ֣י/ךָ
אָר֔וּר
וּֽ/מְבָרֲכֶ֖י/ךָ
בָּרֽוּךְ
יַֽעַבְד֣וּ/ךָ
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
V-Qal-Juss-3mp | Suff
עַמִּ֗ים
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-mp
ו/ישתחו
shâchâh
H7812
to bow
Conj | V-v-Juss-3ms
וְ/יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֤וּ
shâchâh
H7812
to bow
Conj | V-v-Juss-3mp
לְ/ךָ֙
Prep | Suff
לְאֻמִּ֔ים
lᵉʼôm
H3816
people
N-mp
הֱוֵ֤ה
hâvâʼ
H1933
to fall
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
גְבִיר֙
gᵉbîyr
H1376
lord
N-ms
לְ/אַחֶ֔י/ךָ
ʼâch
H251
brother
Prep | N-mp | Suff
וְ/יִשְׁתַּחֲוּ֥וּ
shâchâh
H7812
to bow
Conj | V-v-Juss-3mp
לְ/ךָ֖
Prep | Suff
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
אִמֶּ֑/ךָ
ʼêm
H517
mother
N-fs | Suff
אֹרְרֶ֣י/ךָ
ʼârar
H779
to curse
V-Qal | Suff
אָר֔וּר
ʼârar
H779
to curse
V-Qal-Inf-c
וּֽ/מְבָרֲכֶ֖י/ךָ
bârak
H1288
to bless
Conj | V-Piel | Suff
בָּרֽוּךְ
bârak
H1288
to bless
V-Qal-Inf-c
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 27:29
יַֽעַבְד֣וּ/ךָ
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
V-Qal-Juss-3mp | Suff
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
עַמִּ֗ים
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-mp
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
ו/ישתחו
shâchâh
H7812
"to bow"
Conj | V-v-Juss-3ms
This Hebrew word means to bow down, often as a sign of respect or worship. It is used in Genesis 24:52 to describe Abraham's servant bowing down to God. The word is about showing humility and respect to someone or something.
Definition: 1) to bow down 1a) (Qal) to bow down 1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c1a) before superior in homage 1c1b) before God in worship 1c1c) before false gods 1c1d) before angel
Usage: Occurs in 166 OT verses. KJV: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Kings 9:9; Psalms 5:8.
וְ/יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֤וּ
shâchâh
H7812
"to bow"
Conj | V-v-Juss-3mp
This Hebrew word means to bow down, often as a sign of respect or worship. It is used in Genesis 24:52 to describe Abraham's servant bowing down to God. The word is about showing humility and respect to someone or something.
Definition: 1) to bow down 1a) (Qal) to bow down 1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c1a) before superior in homage 1c1b) before God in worship 1c1c) before false gods 1c1d) before angel
Usage: Occurs in 166 OT verses. KJV: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Kings 9:9; Psalms 5:8.
לְ/ךָ֙
""
Prep | Suff
לְאֻמִּ֔ים
lᵉʼôm
H3816
"people"
N-mp
This word refers to a community or nation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people who share a common identity or culture. The KJV translates it as 'nation' or 'people'.
Definition: a people, nation
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: nation, people. See also: Genesis 25:23; Proverbs 11:26; Psalms 2:1.
הֱוֵ֤ה
hâvâʼ
H1933
"to fall"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This verb means 'to be' or 'to exist', used in the sense of something happening or coming into being, like in Genesis 1:2. It's about something being present or real.
Definition: 1) Qal) 1a) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: be, [idiom] have. See also: Genesis 27:29; Ecclesiastes 2:22; Isaiah 16:4.
גְבִיר֙
gᵉbîyr
H1376
"lord"
N-ms
A master or lord, this term refers to someone in a position of authority. In the Bible, it is used to describe rulers, leaders, and those with power. The word conveys respect and dominance.
Definition: lord, ruler
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: lord. See also: Genesis 27:29; Genesis 27:37.
לְ/אַחֶ֔י/ךָ
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
וְ/יִשְׁתַּחֲוּ֥וּ
shâchâh
H7812
"to bow"
Conj | V-v-Juss-3mp
This Hebrew word means to bow down, often as a sign of respect or worship. It is used in Genesis 24:52 to describe Abraham's servant bowing down to God. The word is about showing humility and respect to someone or something.
Definition: 1) to bow down 1a) (Qal) to bow down 1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c1a) before superior in homage 1c1b) before God in worship 1c1c) before false gods 1c1d) before angel
Usage: Occurs in 166 OT verses. KJV: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Kings 9:9; Psalms 5:8.
לְ/ךָ֖
""
Prep | Suff
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אִמֶּ֑/ךָ
ʼêm
H517
"mother"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'mother' is used in the Bible to describe a female parent or a maternal figure. It can also refer to the source or origin of something, such as a river or a family. In some cases, it is used figuratively to describe a person's relationship to others.
Definition: 1) mother 1a) of humans 1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.) 1c) of animals 2) point of departure or division
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: dam, mother, [idiom] parting. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Kings 4:19; Psalms 22:10.
אֹרְרֶ֣י/ךָ
ʼârar
H779
"to curse"
V-Qal | Suff
To curse someone or something, like God cursing the serpent in Genesis 3. It means to execrate or wish harm upon someone, often used in the context of punishment or judgment. This word appears in various biblical accounts.
Definition: 1) to curse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to curse 1a2) cursed be he (participle used as in curses) 1b) (Niphal) to be cursed, cursed 1c)(Piel) to curse, lay under a curse, put a curse on 1d) (Hophal) to be made a curse, be cursed
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bitterly curse. See also: Genesis 3:14; Deuteronomy 27:23; Psalms 119:21.
אָר֔וּר
ʼârar
H779
"to curse"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To curse someone or something, like God cursing the serpent in Genesis 3. It means to execrate or wish harm upon someone, often used in the context of punishment or judgment. This word appears in various biblical accounts.
Definition: 1) to curse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to curse 1a2) cursed be he (participle used as in curses) 1b) (Niphal) to be cursed, cursed 1c)(Piel) to curse, lay under a curse, put a curse on 1d) (Hophal) to be made a curse, be cursed
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bitterly curse. See also: Genesis 3:14; Deuteronomy 27:23; Psalms 119:21.
וּֽ/מְבָרֲכֶ֖י/ךָ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
Conj | V-Piel | Suff
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
בָּרֽוּךְ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
Study Notes — Genesis 27:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 27:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 27:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 27:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 27:29
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
- Sermons on Genesis 27:29
Context — Isaac Blesses Jacob
27So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said: “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.
28May God give to you the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth— an abundance of grain and new wine.
29May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.”
30As soon as Isaac had finished blessing him and Jacob had left his father’s presence, his brother Esau returned from the hunt. 31He too made some tasty food, brought it to his father, and said to him, “My father, sit up and eat of your son’s game, so that you may bless me.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 12:3 | I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you. ” |
| 2 | Numbers 24:9 | He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.” |
| 3 | Isaiah 49:23 | Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.” |
| 4 | Genesis 9:25–26 | he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” He also declared: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem. |
| 5 | Romans 9:12 | not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” |
| 6 | Isaiah 45:14 | This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’” |
| 7 | Isaiah 9:7 | Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. |
| 8 | Numbers 23:8 | How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced? |
| 9 | Daniel 2:44–45 | In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever. And just as you saw a stone being cut out of the mountain without human hands, and it shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold, so the great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.” |
| 10 | Genesis 22:17–18 | I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” |
Genesis 27:29 Summary
[This verse is a beautiful expression of God's blessing and promise to Jacob, where Isaac prays that peoples and nations will serve and bow down to him, and that he will be a master over his brothers. This is a reminder that God is a God of promise and blessing, who desires to use us to bless others, as seen in Genesis 12:2-3. As we reflect on this verse, we can remember that God's blessings are not just for our own benefit, but also for the benefit of those around us, and that we can trust in His faithfulness to fulfill His promises, just like Jacob did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for peoples and nations to serve and bow down to Jacob?
This is a prophetic statement indicating that Jacob's descendants, the Israelites, will be a dominant nation and a blessing to others, as seen in Genesis 12:2-3 where God promises to make Abraham's descendants a blessing to all nations.
Why does Isaac say that those who curse Jacob will be cursed and those who bless him will be blessed?
This is a reflection of the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, where He says that He will bless those who bless Abraham's descendants and curse those who curse them, demonstrating the special relationship between God and Abraham's family.
Is Isaac's blessing of Jacob a guarantee of his success and dominance over his brothers?
While Isaac's blessing does confer a special status on Jacob, it is not a guarantee of success without faith and obedience, as seen in the life of Jacob himself, who faces many challenges and struggles throughout his life, such as in Genesis 31:1-55 and Genesis 32:1-33:17.
How does this blessing relate to the covenant God made with Abraham?
This blessing is a reaffirmation of the covenant promises God made to Abraham, including the promise of numerous descendants and a special relationship with God, as seen in Genesis 15:1-21 and Genesis 17:1-27.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to be a blessing to others, and how can I fulfill this role in my own life?
- How can I trust in God's promises and blessings, even when faced with challenges and uncertainties, like Jacob did?
- In what ways can I be a source of comfort and strength to those around me, reflecting the blessing that Jacob received from Isaac?
- What are some ways that I can align my life with God's covenant promises, and how can I trust in His faithfulness to fulfill them?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 27:29
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee,.... Which was literally true in the times of Joshua and the judges, when the Canaanites were conquered and subdued, and those that remained became
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 27:29
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
Let thy mother’ s son bow down to thee. How and when this was fulfilled, see on .
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
Genesis 27:29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’ s sons bow down to thee: cursed [be] every one that curseth thee, and blessed [be] he that blesseth thee. Ver. 29. Let thy mother’ s sons bow down to thee.] That is, thy brethren; which are therefore denominated from the mother, quod certior est a matre progenies, quam a patre, saith an interpreter. But this blessing is pronounced in a higher style than ordinary: therefore sentences are doubled, and that kind of speech is here used which, with us, is either poetical, or not far from it. Castalio in Annotat., ad locum.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
(29) Let people serve thee.—Heb., peoples. Up to this point the blessing had been general, but now Isaac bestows the birthright, carrying with it widespread dominion, precedence over all other members of the family, and special blessedness. The phrases “thy brethren” and “thy mother’s sons” include all nations sprung from Abraham, and all possible offshoots from Isaac’s own descendants. Cursed . . . and blessed.—This is a special portion of the blessing given to Abraham (Genesis 12:3); but Isaac stops short with this, and does not bestow the greater privilege that “in him should all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18; Genesis 26:4). The reason for this may be that it was a blessing which God must grant, and not man; or he may have had misgivings that it was more than Esau was worthy to receive; or, finally, his whole conduct being wrong, he could see and value only the earthly and lower prerogatives of the birthright. Subsequently he bestows the Abrahamic blessing upon Jacob in general terms (Genesis 28:4); but this, its highest privilege, is confirmed to Jacob by Jehovah Himself (Genesis 28:14).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
Verse 29. Let people serve thee] "However alike their temporal advantages were to each other," says Bp. Newton, "in all spiritual gifts and graces the younger brother was to have the superiority, was to be the happy instrument of conveying the blessing to all nations: In thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed; and to this are to be referred, in their full force, those expressions: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee. Cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee. The same promise was made to Abraham in the name of God: I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee, Genesis 12:3; and it is here repeated to Jacob, and thus paraphrased in the Jerusalem Targum: 'He who curseth thee shall be cursed as Balaam the son of Beor; and he who blesseth thee shall be blessed as Moses the prophet, the lawgiver of Israel.' It appears that Jacob was, on the whole, a man of more religion, and believed the Divine promises more, than Esau. The posterity of Jacob likewise preserved the true religion, and the worship of one God, while the Edomites were sunk in idolatry; and of the seed of Jacob was born at last the Saviour of the world. This was the peculiar privilege and advantage of Jacob, to be the happy instrument of conveying these blessings to all nations. This was his greatest superiority over Esau; and in this sense St. Paul understood and applied the prophecy: The elder shall serve the younger, Romans 9:12. The Christ, the Saviour of the world, was to be born of some one family; and Jacob's was preferred to Esau's, out of the good pleasure of Almighty God, who is certainly the best judge of fitness and expedience, and has undoubted right to dispense his favours as he shall see proper; for he says to Moses, as the apostle proceeds to argue, Romans 9:15: 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' And when the Gentiles were converted to Christianity, the prophecy was fulfilled literally: Let people serve thee, and let nations bow down to thee; and will be more amply fulfilled when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, and all Israel shall be saved."
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 27:29
29. Let peoples, &c.] The first half of this verse seems to refer to conquest over foreign foes; the second half to pre-eminence among the kindred races. The complete fulfilment of this prediction cannot have taken place before the times of David (cf. 2 Samuel 8) and Solomon. The “peoples” and “nations,” who “served” and “bowed down,” were the Canaanites; the “brethren” and the “mother’s sons” were the Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and Amalekites. lord … brethren] These words recall the oracle given to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23. The irony of the situation is that Isaac, predicting, as he supposes, Esau’s predominance over Jacob, seems to be reversing the decree, “the elder shall serve the younger.” In reality he ratifies and endorses it. thy brethren] The word is here poetically used in the sense of “kindred.” The blessing impersonates the nation in the individual. It prefigures kindred races in the individual’s brethren: see note on Genesis 27:40. This blessing, as applied to Jacob, was fulfilled in the subjugation of Edom, Moab, and Ammon in the reign of David. Cursed be every one] For this formula concluding a blessing, cf. Genesis 12:3, and Numbers 24:9. Words of good omen end the utterance.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 27:29
29. People… nations — Peoples and tribes of peoples. Be lord — This was fulfilled in the days of David, when the Edomites were subjected to Israel. 2 Samuel 8:14.
Sermons on Genesis 27:29
| Sermon | Description | |
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(Genesis) Genesis 27:18-29 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and Esau from the Bible. He emphasizes that God had already blessed Jacob, but Jacob still sought his father's blessing. J |
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(Revelation) Part 1 the Scarlet Womans Future Judgement by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Revelation Chapter 17 and the woman mentioned in the text. The woman is described as sitting upon many waters, representing peoples, nations |
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Both And-Not Either or (Basis for Missions - Part 5) by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a group of people and asks them if they have ever been lost. Only four people raise their hands. The speaker then points out that according to |
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The Meaning of Life - 6. I Will Do It Through You by Norman Grubb | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the presence of God in their lives and the lives of others. They emphasize the importance of understanding and knowin |
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Easter Passion by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful testimony of a man who was delivered from a life of addiction and despair by the power of Christ. The speaker emphasizes the simplicit |
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Future Trends for the Body of Christ by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the things that are at hand rather than being distracted by distant and exciting things. He shares a pe |
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Genesis #14 Ch. 16-18 Test of Abraham by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, Chuck Misler focuses on Genesis chapters sixteen and seventeen. He begins with a prayer, asking for understanding and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Misler emphasiz |