Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Esau’s focus isn't just on the theft of his blessing, but on the name Jacob, highlighting that his brother's very identity seems designed to "supplant" him. He twists Jacob's name, originally meaning "heel-grabber," into a descriptor of his brother's cunning, revealing his deep-seated bitterness and belief that Jacob’s nature is to cheat him.
Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This moment occurs immediately after Jacob, disguised by his mother Rebekah, has successfully deceived his aging, blind father Isaac into giving him the patriarchal blessing intended for his older brother Esau. Esau, returning from a hunt, is shocked and furious to discover that Jacob has not only taken his birthright previously but has now also stolen this crucial blessing, leading to his bitter accusation and his father Isaac's profound distress.
Esau's bitter outburst isn't just complaining; it's a theological statement. He's reflecting on the very meaning of his brother's name and how it perfectly describes his actions.
Esau confronts Jacob with the meaning of his name: Jacob, which means 'heeler' or 'supplanter.' This isn't just a casual observation; for Esau, it's a theological accusation. He's saying Jacob's name perfectly captures his character and actions.
The Double Meaning
Esau is essentially saying, 'Your name itself tells the story of your treachery.' This reveals how deeply he felt wronged and how he perceived Jacob's character through the lens of this perceived betrayal.
Esau's pain is twofold. He recounts two specific instances where he feels Jacob wronged him, highlighting the gravity of what he believes was lost.
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Esau’s lament isn't a single grievance but a compounding of injustices. He pinpoints two crucial losses:
1. The Birthright
2. The Blessing
This dual loss fuels Esau's anger and sense of betrayal, revealing his deep regret and his inability to take responsibility for his own actions.
Understand the original words
Ya‘aqob · Hebrew Proper Noun
A name meaning 'supplanter' or 'deceiver,' referring to one who trips up or displaces another, often used to describe someone who secures an advantage through cunning or maneuvering.
bekorah · Hebrew Noun
The special right of the firstborn son, which traditionally included a double portion of the father's inheritance and the position of family leadership or headship.
berakah · Hebrew Noun
A formal pronouncement of favor, prosperity, and divine enablement, often bestowed by a father or leader upon their successor, conveying the authority and spiritual legacy of the giver.
Esau's bitter cry reflects his deep disappointment and anger, not just over a lost blessing, but over what he perceived as Jacob's repeated treachery, stemming from a misunderstanding of the spiritual significance of both the birthright and the blessing.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham receives God's covenant promise
God promises Abraham that through his offspring, all nations will be blessed. This promise becomes central to the lineage of Isaac and Jacob.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah
Isaac is the son of promise, through whom God's covenant is to be passed down, despite his mother Sarah's advanced age.
c. 1720 BC
Isaac marries Rebekah
Rebekah becomes Isaac's wife, and they eventually have twin sons, Esau and Jacob.
c. 1715 BC
Birth of Esau and Jacob
Esau, the firstborn, is born with Jacob clinging to his heel. God had foretold that the older would serve the younger.
c. 1710 BC
Esau sells his birthright
Esau, hungry and careless, sells his valuable birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew.
c. 1690 BC— this verse
Isaac attempts to bless Esau
Old and nearly blind, Isaac intends to give the patriarchal blessing and covenant promises to his favorite son, Esau.
c. 1690 BC
Jacob deceives Isaac and receives the blessing
Through his mother Rebekah's scheme, Jacob disguises himself and tricks his blind father into giving him Esau's blessing.
This verse highlights Esau's casual disregard for his birthright, selling it for a meager meal, which directly contrasts with his later outcry about Jacob 'taking' it, showing Esau's own role in its loss.
Romans 9:11-13Paul uses the story of Jacob and Esau to illustrate God's sovereign choice, predating their actions, emphasizing that God's purpose stands independent of human works or lineage.
Hebrews 12:16-17This passage directly references Esau's regret and tears over his lost blessing, warning that such a superficial sorrow, without true repentance, finds no lasting remedy.
Malachi 1:2-3This prophecy speaks of God 'hating' Esau and laying his mountains to waste, confirming the ongoing divine judgment and rejection of Esau's lineage, which echoes the sentiment of loss expressed in Genesis 27:36.
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…
pooleGenesis 27:36: "And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?"
He puts a perverse construction upon Jacob’s name, as if it belonged not to him so properly, because of the manner of his birth, as because of his falseness and deceitfulness, and his tripping up his brother’s heels. He took away my birthright; a false accusation…
Esau’s focus isn't just on the theft of his blessing, but on the name Jacob, highlighting that his brother's very identity seems designed to "supplant" him. He twists Jacob's name, originally meaning "heel-grabber," into a descriptor of his brother's cunning, revealing his deep-seated bitterness and belief that Jacob’s nature is to cheat him.
This moment occurs immediately after Jacob, disguised by his mother Rebekah, has successfully deceived his aging, blind father Isaac into giving him the patriarchal blessing intended for his older brother Esau. Esau, returning from a hunt, is shocked and furious to discover that Jacob has not only taken his birthright previously but has now also stolen this crucial blessing, leading to his bitter accusation and his father Isaac's profound distress.
This moment occurs immediately after Jacob, disguised by his mother Rebekah, has successfully deceived his aging, blind father Isaac into giving him the patriarchal blessing intended for his older brother Esau. Esau, returning from a hunt, is shocked and furious to discover that Jacob has not only taken his birthright previously but has now also stolen this crucial blessing, leading to his bitter accusation and his father Isaac's profound distress.
"Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”" — Esau’s focus isn't just on the theft of his blessing, but on the name Jacob, highlighting that his brother's very identity seems designed to "supplant" him. He twists Jacob's name, originally meani…
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Last reviewed October 2026