Genesis 27:29
What does Genesis 27:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 27:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 27:29 means
This verse outlines the dominion and authority granted in the blessing. Jacob is destined for leadership: "Let peoples serve thee, And nations bow down to thee." Significantly, he is also blessed with supremacy over his own family as "lord over thy brethren," which directly affirms the prophecy given to Rebekah before the twins' birth (Genesis 25:23). The blessing concludes with a powerful statement of divine protection and judgment, declaring protection for those who bless Jacob and curses for those who curse him, echoing the Abrahamic covenant promises.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let peoples 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 every one that blesseth thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let peoples 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 every one that blesseth thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let peoples be your servants, and nations go down before you: be lord over your brothers, and let your mother's sons go down before you: a curse be on everyone by whom you are cursed, and a blessing on those who give you a blessing.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862peoples serve thee, and nations bow themselves to thee, be thou mighty over thy brethren, and the sons of thy mother bow themselves to thee; those who curse thee <FI>are<Fi> cursed, and those who bless thee <FI>are<Fi> blessed.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And let peoples serve thee, and tribes worship thee: be thou lord of thy brethren, and let thy mother's children bow down before thee. Cursed be he that curseth thee: and let him that blesseth thee be filled with blessings.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let peoples serve thee, And races bow down to thee. Be lord over thy brethren, And let thy mother's sons bow down to thee. Cursed be they that curse thee, And blessed be they that bless thee.
Context
This verse continues the blessings received by Jacob, building upon the initial promises of material prosperity. It moves into the realm of dominion and authority, specifically highlighting supremacy over his family and nations. This climactic portion of the blessing is the core of what Jacob sought, and it immediately sets the stage for Esau's catastrophic return, as the blessing proves irrevocable.
v.28And God give thee of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and new wine:
v.29This passage
v.30And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 24:9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, And as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, And cursed be every one that curseth thee.
- 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 grain and new wine have I sustained him: and what then shall I do for thee, my son?
- Isaiah 49:23
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; and they that wait for me shall not be put to shame.
- Matthew 25:45
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.
- Malachi 1:2
I have loved you, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith Jehovah: yet I loved Jacob;
- Romans 9:12
it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
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