Bible Commentary

Genesis 27:30-40

Matthew Henry on Genesis 27:30-40

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

When Esau understood that Jacob had got the blessing, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry. The day is coming, when those that now make light of the blessings of the covenant, and sell their title to spiritual blessings for that which is of no value, will, in vain, ask urgently for them.

Isaac, when made sensible of the deceit practised on him, trembled exceedingly. Those who follow the choice of their own affections, rather than the Divine will, get themselves into perplexity. But he soon recovers, and confirms the blessing he had given to Jacob, saying, I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed.

Those who part with their wisdom and grace, their faith and a good conscience, for the honours, wealth, or pleasures of this world, however they feign a zeal for the blessing, have judged themselves unworthy of it, and their doom shall be accordingly.

A common blessing was bestowed upon Esau. This he desired. Faint desires of happiness, without right choice of the end, and right use of the means, deceive many unto their own ruin. Multitudes go to hell with their mouths full of good wishes.

The great difference is, that there is nothing in Esau's blessing which points at Christ; and without that, the fatness of the earth, and the plunder of the field, will stand in little stead. Thus Isaac, by faith, blessed both his sons, according as their lot should be.

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commentaryThe Blessing Pronounced on Jacob and Esau. (b. c. 1760.)THE BLESSING PRONOUNCED ON JACOB AND ESAU. (B. C. 1760.) Here is, I. The covenant-blessing denied to Esau. He that made so light of the birthright would now have inherited the blessing, but he was rejected, and found no…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:30-40EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:30-40The stolen blessing: a domestic drama.-3. Isaac and Esau, or the hunter's lamentation. I. Isaac's STARTLING DISCOVERY. 1. Unexpectedly made. The return of Esau from the hunting-field with a dish of venison was a sudden…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:30And it came to pass (literally, and it was), as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out—literally, and it was (sc. as soon as, or when) Jacob only going forth had gone; i.e. ha…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:31And he also had made savory meat (vide Genesis 27:4), and brought it unto his father, and said unto him, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison—compared with Jacob's exhortation to his aged parent (Genesis 27…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:32And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? The language indicates the patriarch's surprise. And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau. The emphatic tone of Esau's answer may have been dictated by a suspicion,…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:33And Isaac trembled very exceedingly,—literally, feared a great fear, to a great degree; shuddered in great terror above measure (Lange). The renderings ἐξέστη δὲ Ἰσαάκ ἔκστασιν μεγάλην σφόδρα (LXX.), Expavit st…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 27:33Jacob's deceit, Esau supplanted. In this familiar narrative the following points may be distinguished:— I. ISAAC'S ERROR—connecting a solemn blessing with mere gratification of the senses, neglect of the Divine word, fa…Joseph S. Exell and contributors