Breakdown of Genesis 27:42

"But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you." — Esau isn't just "comforting himself" by planning to kill Jacob; he's actively finding satisfaction in the thought of revenge, seeing Jacob's death as a way to "undo" the loss of his blessing. This re…

Genesis 27:42 Meaning Explained

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Genesis 27:42

But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Esau isn't just "comforting himself" by planning to kill Jacob; he's actively finding satisfaction in the thought of revenge, seeing Jacob's death as a way to "undo" the loss of his blessing. This reveals a deep-seated hatred and a desire for vengeance that goes beyond mere anger.

What Genesis 27:42 means

After Esau discovered that Jacob had stolen his father's blessing, he was filled with rage and planned to kill his brother. Rebekah learned of Esau's murderous intent and, fearing for Jacob's life, quickly devised a plan for him to flee to her brother Laban in Haran.

The Dark Heart of Revenge

Esau's rage boils over into a deadly threat against his own brother. What does this reveal about the nature of unchecked anger?

When Rebekah hears Esau's words, she learns of his plan to kill Jacob. The original Hebrew phrase used to describe Esau's state, 'doth comfort himself,' is a powerful idiom. It doesn't mean he found peace; instead, it suggests he was 'satisfying his feelings' or 'nursing his anger.' He was finding a grim satisfaction in the thought of revenge.

This isn't just a plot twist; it's a stark portrayal of how deep-seated resentment can fester and transform into a desire for violence. Esau's immediate reaction isn't about seeking reconciliation or understanding; it's about eliminating the source of his pain, even if it's his own brother.

This teaches us that unaddressed anger doesn't fade away. It can grow into something destructive, leading to thoughts and plans that aim to harm others. The danger lies in letting that anger 'comfort' us, making revenge seem like a solution.

When Plans Collide with God's Purpose

Rebekah and Jacob's scheme to secure the blessing seems successful, but it immediately plunges them into crisis. How does this family drama reveal God's sovereignty?

Rebekah and Jacob's deceptive plan to obtain Isaac's blessing worked, in a human sense. Jacob received the blessing meant for Esau. However, the immediate aftermath shows that their cleverness didn't bring peace or security. Instead, it birthed a deadly threat from Esau and forced Jacob into a life of exile.

This situation is a powerful illustration of how human scheming, even when aimed at what seems like a divine purpose (securing God's chosen heir), can lead to unintended and painful consequences. The commentaries highlight that while God’s election of Jacob was sure, the methods used by Rebekah and Jacob were flawed and born of haste and deception. God worked through their actions, but their actions weren't necessarily endorsed by Him in their method.

It teaches us that while God’s ultimate purposes will prevail, our human attempts to manipulate circumstances to fit His will can create turmoil. We are called to trust and obey, not to engineer outcomes through deceit. The crisis that follows shows that manipulating the path to God's promise often leads to suffering and separation.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the patriarchal period, possibly around 1500-1400 BC.
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, but written during the patriarchal period.
Location: Written from the land of Canaan.
Genre: Narrative prose, employing dialogue and character interaction to drive the plot.

Historical background

The deceptive act to secure the patriarchal blessing, and Esau's murderous rage, immediately lead to Jacob's exile and separation from his family. This sets in motion a chain of events that forces Jacob to rely on God in a new land, far from the comforts of home, underscoring how actions, even those with seemingly good intentions, can have far-reaching and unintended consequences.

c. 1800 BC
Abraham receives God's promises
God promises Abraham numerous descendants and that through his line all nations would be blessed. This covenantal promise becomes the central focus for his family.
c. 1780 BC
Isaac born
Isaac is born as the son of promise to Abraham and Sarah, a miraculous birth that signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant.
c. 1740 BC
Isaac marries Rebekah
Isaac marries Rebekah, who later struggles with infertility, highlighting the importance of the continuation of God's promises through Isaac's line.
c. 1715 BC
Jacob and Esau born
Rebekah gives birth to twin sons, Esau and Jacob. God had revealed to her that the older would serve the younger, setting the stage for future conflict.

Key themes

01Brotherly conflict and hatred
02Consequences of deception
03Divine plan overrides human schemes
04Protection through flight

Cross-references

Proverbs 29:11

This proverb highlights how foolishness and anger can be openly expressed, mirroring Esau's rage that Rebekah hears about, which then escalates into a deadly threat.

Matthew 2:13-15

Like Herod's murderous intent towards the infant Jesus, Esau's plot to kill Jacob shows how malice can lead to attempts to eliminate those perceived as threats to their position or destiny.

Galatians 5:19-21

Esau's violent intentions are a clear example of the 'works of the flesh,' such as enmity, strife, and murder, which exclude one from inheriting the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 12:15-17

This passage directly references Esau's bitterness and rage over losing his blessing, warning against the danger of unchecked anger and the pursuit of carnal desires over spiritual inheritance.

Scholarly commentary

Genesis 27:42: "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."

Doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee - מתנחם לך mithnachem lecha, which Houbigant renders cogitat super te, he thinks or meditates to kill thee. This sense is natural enough here, but it does not appear to be the meaning of the original; nor does Houbigant…
clarke

Genesis 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…

calvin

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Historical background

c. 1800 BC

Abraham receives God's promises

God promises Abraham numerous descendants and that through his line all nations would be blessed. This covenantal promise becomes the central focus for his family.

c. 1780 BC

Isaac born

Isaac is born as the son of promise to Abraham and Sarah, a miraculous birth that signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant.

c. 1740 BC

Isaac marries Rebekah

Isaac marries Rebekah, who later struggles with infertility, highlighting the importance of the continuation of God's promises through Isaac's line.

c. 1715 BC

Jacob and Esau born

Rebekah gives birth to twin sons, Esau and Jacob. God had revealed to her that the older would serve the younger, setting the stage for future conflict.