Genesis 27:1-5

Genesis 27:1-5

[1] And it came to pass,  that when Isaac  was old,  and his eyes  were dim,  so that he could not see,  he called  Esau  his eldest  son,  and said  unto him, My son:  and he said  [2] And he said,  Behold now, I am old,  I know  not the day  of my death:  [3] Now therefore take,  I pray thee, thy weapons,  thy quiver  and thy bow,  and go out  to the field,  and take  [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  to the field  to hunt  for venison,  and to bring 

What does Genesis 27:1-5 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Here we have the third round of Jacob"s battle with Esau. The first was at birth ( Genesis 25:21-28) and the second was over the birthright ( Genesis 25:29-34). [1] In all three incidents Jacob manipulated his brother-unnecessarily, in view of God"s promise ( Genesis 25:23).
"This chapter 27] offers one of the most singular instances of God"s overruling providence controlling the affairs of sinful men and so disposing of them that the interests of God"s kingdom are safeguarded. Usually the guilt of Jacob is overemphasized, and Esau is regarded as relatively or entirely the innocent party in the transaction. This traditional view requires modification and correction." [2]
"This chapter portrays an entire family attempting to carry out their responsibilities by their physical senses, without faith....
"All the natural senses play a conspicuous part-especially the sense of taste in which Isaac prided himself, but which gave him the wrong answer. Reliance on one"s senses for spiritual discernment not only proves fallible, but often fouls up life unduly.
"Most importantly, however, the story is about deception." [3]
An oral blessing was as legally binding as a written will in the ancient Near East. [4]
"As in modern society, inheritance under Nuzi law was effected by testamentary disposition, although the [5] tablets indicate that such a testament was often made orally. One of the tablets tells of a lawsuit between brothers concerning the possession of their late father"s slave girl, Sululi-Ishtar. The youngest of three brothers, Tarmiya, was defending his elder brothers" claim to Sululi-Ishtar and the tablet sets out his testimony:
"My father, Huya, was sick and lay on a couch; then my father seized my hand and spoke thus to me. "My other sons, being older, have acquired a wife; so I give herewith Sululi-Ishtar as your wife.""
"In the end result the Court found in favour of Tarmiya, upholding his father"s oral testamentary disposition.
"It also appears from another Nuzi tablet that even an oral testament commenced with an opening introductory statement such as: "Now that I am grown old ...." which was the legal phraseology to indicate that what was to follow constituted a testamentary disposition. In similar manner, Isaac indicated to his elder son Esau that he wished to bestow upon him his testamentary blessing: "Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death" ( Genesis 27:2)." [5]