Genesis 27:40 and the Concept of Blessing and Inheritance
Genesis 27:40 and the Concept of Blessing and Inheritance
Genesis 27:40 states, "And Esau said to his father: 'Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father.' And Isaac being moved at his vehement crying, said to him: 'In the fat of the earth, and in the dew of heaven from above shall be thy blessing. Thou shalt live by the sword, and shalt serve thy brother: and the time shall come, when thou shalt shake off and loose his yoke from thy neck'" [2].
The passage is part of the narrative where Isaac, deceived by Jacob disguised as Esau, bestows the blessing meant for his firstborn son Esau upon Jacob. The blessing and inheritance are closely tied concepts in the biblical context, often related to the transmission of spiritual and material goods from one generation to the next.
The literary context of Genesis 27:40 is the story of Jacob and Esau, twin brothers whose struggle begins in the womb and continues throughout their lives. The blessing Isaac gives to Jacob (Genesis 27:27-29) is contrasted with the one he gives to Esau, highlighting the different destinies envisioned for the two brothers [1].
The concept of blessing in Genesis is deeply connected to the idea of inheritance. In Genesis 28:4, Isaac blesses Jacob, saying, "And may God give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your seed, so that the land of your wanderings, which God gave to Abraham, may be your heritage" [1]. This blessing includes both spiritual and material aspects, emphasizing the possession of the land and the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham.
The key terms in Genesis 27:40 include "blessing" and "inheritance." The Hebrew word for "blessing" (בְּרָכָה, berakah) carries a sense of divine favor and prosperity. The concept of inheritance is tied to the idea of receiving a portion or share in the family's possessions, often with spiritual implications.
One major exegetical decision in interpreting Genesis 27:40 involves understanding the nature of Esau's blessing. While it is less favorable than Jacob's, it still contains elements of prosperity ("In the fat of the earth, and in the dew of heaven from above shall be thy blessing") and a prediction of Esau's future actions and relationship with his brother ("Thou shalt live by the sword, and shalt serve thy brother"). The phrase "thou shalt shake off and loose his yoke from thy neck" suggests a future rebellion against Jacob's dominance.
Interpreters have varied in their understanding of Esau's blessing. According to Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, the blessing of Abraham, which is referenced in Genesis 28:4, includes "the whole doctrine of justification by faith, and its attendant privileges, viz., redemption from the curse of the law, remission of sins, and the promise of the Holy Spirit" [3]. This broader understanding of blessing highlights the spiritual dimensions of the concept.
one commentary tradition by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown notes that the "excellency of Jacob" in Psalms 47:4 refers to the privileges of the chosen people, underscoring the idea that the blessing and inheritance are not just material but also spiritual [4]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, emphasizes that God is the inheritance of his people, highlighting the spiritual aspect of the concept [5].
The passage has functioned in tradition as a basis for understanding the complex relationship between Jacob and Esau, and by extension, between Israel and Edom (Esau's descendants). It has also been used to explore themes of divine sovereignty, election, and the nature of blessing and inheritance in the biblical context.
The concept of blessing and inheritance in Genesis 27:40 is thus multifaceted, encompassing both material prosperity and spiritual favor. The passage contributes to a broader biblical narrative that explores the complexities of family dynamics, divine election, and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 28:4 (BBE) — And may God give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your seed, so that the land of your wanderings, which God gave to Abraham, may be your heritage.”
- Genesis “Genesis 27:40 (DRC) — Shall thy blessing be. Thou shalt live by the sword, and shalt serve thy brother: and the time shall come, when thou shalt shake off and loose his yoke from thy neck.”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 28:4: Give thee the blessing of Abraham - May he confirm the inheritance with all its attendant blessings to thee, to the exclusion of Esau; as he did to me, to the exclusion of Ishmael. But, according to St. Paul, much more than this is certainly intended here, for it appears, from Gal 3:6-14, that the blessing of Abraham, which is to come upon the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, comprises the whole doctrine of justification by faith, and its attendant privileges, viz., redemption from the curse of the law, remission of sins, and the promise of the Holy Spirit, including”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 47:4: He shall . . . inheritance--the heathen to be possessed by His Church (Psa 2:8), as Canaan by the Jews. excellency of Jacob--literally, "pride," or, that in which he glories (not necessarily, though often, in a bad sense), the privileges of the chosen people-- whom he loved--His love being the sole cause of granting them.”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 44:28: And it shall be unto them for an inheritance,.... Either the sin offering, or the priesthood, and the perquisites belonging to it: or, they shall have an inheritance (r); but what shall it be? God himself: I am their inheritance; the Lord is the portion and inheritance of his people, who are made priests unto him, whether in a private or public capacity; they are heirs of God, he is their portion in the land of the living, and forever: God in all his perfections is theirs; and though incommunicable, they have the use and advantage of them, so far as they are cap”