Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

GENESIS 27:29KJV
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Genesis 27:29 (KJV)

What does Genesis 27:29 mean?

Genesis 27:29 is Isaac’s blessing on Jacob, spoken while Isaac thinks he is blessing Esau. Isaac asks that the recipient have authority over other peoples and over his own family, and that those who treat him with hostility or favor receive a matching response.

The words “bow down” picture people showing submission to a ruler. After the wishes for plenty in verse 28, Isaac turns to the recipient’s standing among nations and within the family.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 27:29

  • “lord” — גְּבִיר (gevir): This word means a master or one who holds authority. Here it describes the position Isaac wishes the recipient to have over his brothers.
  • “curseth” — אָרַר (arar): This word carries the sense of placing someone under a curse. Isaac’s words call for the person who curses the recipient to be cursed in return.
  • “blesseth” — בָּרַךְ (barakh): This word carries the sense of speaking or seeking good for someone. Isaac’s words call for the person who blesses the recipient to be blessed in return.

Why Genesis 27:29 matters

  • The blessing reaches beyond Isaac’s household. “People” and “nations” stand alongside “brethren” and “mother’s sons,” giving the wish both a public and a family setting.
  • The blessing reverses Isaac’s intention about which son would receive it. Jacob has presented himself as Esau, and Isaac recognizes the deception only after Jacob has left (Genesis 27:18–24, 30–33).
  • The final words echo a promise spoken to Abraham. In Genesis 12:3, God says he will bless those who bless Abraham and curse the one who curses him.

Where else these words appear

“lord” Hebrew H1376 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 27:37 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?

“be” Hebrew H1933 · used in 6 verses

  • Nehemiah 6:6 Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
  • Job 37:6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
  • Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

“nations” Hebrew H3816 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
  • Psalms 105:44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
  • Isaiah 34:1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

“cursed” Hebrew H779 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Deuteronomy 27:15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
  • Joshua 9:23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.