Genesis 27:28
May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just a wish for good crops; it's a prophetic declaration that God will give Jacob the abundant fertility of the land. The mention of "dew of heaven" is significant, as dew was crucial for the land's fruitfulness in a region often lacking rain, highlighting God's active provision for Jacob's future.
Isaac, his eyesight failing, intends to bestow the patriarchal blessing upon his favored son Esau. However, Rebekah overhears this and, determined for Jacob to receive the blessing, devises a plan to trick Isaac into blessing Jacob instead. This leads to Jacob impersonating Esau, securing the blessing through deceit, and Esau returning from a hunt to find the blessing already given away.
Isaac's blessing to Jacob isn't just about good harvests; it's a profound picture of God's generosity. What does the 'dew of heaven' and 'fatness of the earth' truly represent?
When Isaac blesses Jacob, he prays, "May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine." This isn't just a wish for good weather and abundant crops, though that's certainly part of it.
A Land of Promise
The land of Canaan, where Jacob’s descendants would live, was known for its fertility. The "dew of heaven" was crucial, especially in drier seasons, providing moisture for crops when rain was scarce. The "fatness of the earth" refers to its rich, fertile soil, capable of producing abundant harvests.
More Than Just Crops
But biblical scholars often see a deeper meaning here. This blessing foreshadows the spiritual riches God provides.
So, when Isaac speaks of dew and fatness, he's invoking God’s comprehensive provision—a life blessed by His tangible favor on earth and His enduring grace.
Isaac's words to Jacob sound like a heartfelt wish, but there's a prophetic power at play. What makes this blessing different from a casual prayer?
When Isaac utters these words to Jacob, he's not just offering a personal wish; he's functioning as a patriarch, conveying a divine promise. These blessings carry the weight of prophecy, rooted in God's covenant.
Understand the original words
tal · Hebrew Noun
A meteorological phenomenon symbolizing divine provision and vitality. In a desert climate, it is essential for agricultural life, often serving as a metaphor for God’s refreshing and life-giving grace.
cheleb · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the fertility, richness, and abundance of the land. In the context of the patriarchal blessing, it represents God’s provision of agricultural prosperity and material sustenance.
This blessing isn't just a nice wish; it's a prophetic declaration invoking God's favor on Jacob, foreshadowing the prosperity and abundance that would characterize the land promised to Abraham's descendants.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham Receives Covenant Promises
God promises Abraham descendants and a land, establishing a foundational covenant.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac Born and Raised
Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah, destined to carry on the covenant promises.
c. 1720 BC
Jacob and Esau Born
The twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah are born; the elder, Esau, and the younger, Jacob.
c. 1690 BC
Isaac is Old and Blind
Isaac, near the end of his life, intends to bestow the patriarchal blessing on his elder son Esau.
c. 1690 BC— this verse
Jacob Deceives Isaac
This passage blesses the tribe of Joseph with the 'richest things of the earth and its fullness' and the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush, echoing the theme of abundant earthly provision.
Psalm 147:14This psalm speaks of God making the borders of Israel fruitful and filling them with the 'finest of the wheat,' directly paralleling the blessing of abundant grain mentioned in Genesis.
Isaiah 61:11This prophetic verse declares that 'the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations,' linking divine favor with the flourishing of the land, much like the 'dew of heaven' and 'fatness of the earth' bring forth produce.
Haggai 2:19This verse promises that 'from this day on I will bless you,' referring to the restoration of crops and the land's bounty, showing how God's blessing directly impacts the land's fruitfulness.
gillGenesis 27:28: "Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:"
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven,.... Or "shall" or "will give thee" (x), seeing he was blessed of God, and the blessed seed should spring from him, as well as his posterity should inherit the land of Canaan; for this is said rather by way of prophecy than wish, and so all that follow; and the dew of heaven is the rather mentioned, not only because that makes the…
calvinGenesis 27:1-46: "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 unto him, Behold, here am I."
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it
Ribca autem audiebat, dum loqueretur Ishac ad Esau filium suum: et perrexit Esau in agrum, ut venaretur venationem, ut afferret.
And Rebekah spake unto Jacob h…
This isn't just a wish for good crops; it's a prophetic declaration that God will give Jacob the abundant fertility of the land. The mention of "dew of heaven" is significant, as dew was crucial for the land's fruitfulness in a region often lacking rain, highlighting God's active provision for Jacob's future.
Isaac, his eyesight failing, intends to bestow the patriarchal blessing upon his favored son Esau. However, Rebekah overhears this and, determined for Jacob to receive the blessing, devises a plan to trick Isaac into blessing Jacob instead. This leads to Jacob impersonating Esau, securing the blessing through deceit, and Esau returning from a hunt to find the blessing already given away.
Isaac, his eyesight failing, intends to bestow the patriarchal blessing upon his favored son Esau. However, Rebekah overhears this and, determined for Jacob to receive the blessing, devises a plan to trick Isaac into blessing Jacob instead. This leads to Jacob impersonating Esau, securing the blessing through deceit, and Esau returning from a hunt to find the blessing already given away.
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A Prophetic Voice
Therefore, these words are a sacred trust, a divinely ordained pronouncement that shapes the future of a people, confirming God's election and promises.
Rebekah and Jacob trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing meant for Esau, which includes a prophecy of material prosperity and dominion.
c. 1690 BC
Esau's Reaction and Prophecy
Esau discovers the deception and receives a secondary, less prominent blessing, foretelling his eventual freedom from Jacob's rule through conflict.
c. 1690 BC
Jacob Flees to Haran
To escape Esau's wrath and at Rebekah's urging, Jacob flees to Mesopotamia, marking the beginning of his exile.
"May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine." — This isn't just a wish for good crops; it's a prophetic declaration that God will give Jacob the abundant fertility of the land. The mention of "dew of heaven" is significant, as dew was crucial fo…
