And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

GENESIS 27:19KJV
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Genesis 27:19 (KJV)

What does Genesis 27:19 mean?

Genesis 27:19 describes Jacob telling his father Isaac that he is Esau, the firstborn, and claiming to have done what Isaac asked, so that Isaac will eat his food and give him a blessing. Jacob is pretending to be his brother in order to receive the blessing meant for Esau.

In this verse, Jacob is speaking directly to his father Isaac, who is old and nearly blind. The situation is tense: Jacob, at his mother Rebekah’s urging, is deceiving Isaac by saying he is Esau (his older brother) and offering him food that Rebekah prepared. The verse shows the moment Jacob carries out the deception to secure the blessing of the firstborn.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 27:19

  • "Firstborn" (בְּכוֹר, bĕkhor): This word means the eldest son, who traditionally received special privileges and the main family blessing. Jacob’s use of this word highlights the seriousness of his claim and the importance of the blessing.
  • "Bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word means to bestow favor or speak words of prosperity and well-being. The blessing Jacob seeks is not just kind words, but a formal, powerful pronouncement that shapes the future of the family.
  • "Venison" (צַיִד, tsayid): This word refers to game or hunted meat. Jacob brings food to Isaac, pretending it is Esau’s wild game, which is central to the ruse.

Why Genesis 27:19 matters

  • Genesis 27:19 clarifies that Jacob’s deception was direct and deliberate, not just a misunderstanding or accident.
  • The verse emphasizes the weight of the firstborn’s blessing in ancient Israelite culture, showing why Jacob and Rebekah went to such lengths.
  • This moment sets up the conflict and consequences that follow in the story, affecting Jacob, Esau, and the entire family for generations.

Where else these words appear

“venison” Hebrew H6718 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
  • Genesis 27:7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.
  • Joshua 9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

“Esau” Hebrew H6215 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 25:25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
  • Genesis 28:8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
  • Genesis 36:13 And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

“firstborn” Hebrew H1060 · used in 96 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • Numbers 3:41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me(I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.