Bible Commentary

Genesis 27:6-17

Matthew Henry on Genesis 27:6-17

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Rebekah knew that the blessing was intended for Jacob, and expected he would have it. But she wronged Isaac by putting a cheat on him; she wronged Jacob by tempting him to wickedness. She put a stumbling-block in Esau's way, and gave him a pretext for hatred to Jacob and to religion.

All were to be blamed. It was one of those crooked measures often adopted to further the Divine promises; as if the end would justify, or excuse wrong means. Thus many have acted wrong, under the idea of being useful in promoting the cause of Christ.

The answer to all such things is that which God addressed to Abraham, I am God Almighty; walk before me and be thou perfect. And it was a very rash speech of Rebekah, “Upon me be thy curse, my son.” Christ has borne the curse of the law for all who take upon them the yoke of the command, the command of the gospel.

But it is too daring for any creature to say, Upon me be thy curse.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:1-14The stolen blessing: a domestic drama. 1. Issac and Rebekah, or plotting and counterplotting. I. THE SCHEME OF ISAAC. 1. Its sinful object. The heavenly oracle having with no uncertain sound proclaimed Jacob the theocra…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:1-14EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Genesis 27:6-17Rebekah is here contriving to procure for Jacob the blessing which was designed for Esau; and here, I. The end was good, for she was directed in this intention by the oracle of God, by which she had been governed in dis…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:8Now therefore, my son,—Jacob at this time was not a lad, but a grown man of mature years, which shows that in the following transaction he was rather an accomplice than a tool—obey my voice according to that which I com…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:11And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man (vide Genesis 25:25) and I am a smooth man— חָלָק, smooth (opposed to שָׂעִיר," hairy); the primary idea of which is to cut off the hair. Cf.…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:12My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver;—literally, shall be in his eyes as a scorer (Keil, Lange), with the idea of mocking at his aged sire's infirmities—ὡς καταφρονῶν (LXX.); or a…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:13And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son (cf. Genesis 43:9; 1 Samuel 25:24; 2 Samuel 14:9; Matthew 27:25). Tempted to regard Rebekah's words as the utterance of a bold and unscrupulous woman (Aben Ezra…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:14And he went (sc. to the flock), and fetched,—or, rather, took (sc. the two kids as directed) and brought them (after slaughter, of course) to his mother: and his mother made savory meat, such as his father loved. All th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors