Devine Scripture

Genesis 27:31

What does Genesis 27:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 27:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 27:31 means

Esau diligently follows his father's instructions, preparing and presenting the actual venison. His respectful address and request to Isaac, "Let my father arise...that thy soul may bless me," mirror Jacob's earlier actions, yet with genuine intent. This act of obedience highlights Esau's integrity in this particular moment, underscoring the cruel twist of fate and the deep injustice he is about to discover.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he also made savory food, and brought it unto his father; and he said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he also made savory food, and brought it unto his father; and he said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he made ready a meal, good to the taste, and took it to his father, and said to him, Let my father get up and take of his son's meat, so that you may give me a blessing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he also maketh tasteful things, and bringeth to his father, and saith to his father, `Let my father arise, and eat of his son's provision, so that thy soul doth bless me.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And brought in to his father meats, made of what he had taken in hunting, saying: Arise, my father, and eat of thy son's venison; that thy soul may bless me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he also had prepared savoury dishes, and he brought [them] in to his father, and said to his father, Let my father arise and eat of his son's venison, in order that thy soul may bless me.

Context

This verse describes Esau's earnest actions, occurring immediately after Jacob's departure and Esau's arrival. His faithful fulfillment of Isaac's request sets up the direct comparison and stark contrast with Jacob's deceptive presentation. This moment directly precedes Isaac's bewildered question, revealing that something is terribly wrong.

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.

v.31This passage

v.32And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy first-born, Esau.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 27:4

    and make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 27

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 27.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 27:31.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary