Devine Scripture

Genesis 27:40

What does Genesis 27:40 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 27:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 27:40 means

This verse outlines the challenging aspects of Esau's future. He will live by his "sword," implying a life of struggle and perhaps violence, in contrast to Jacob's more peaceful, agricultural blessings. The prophecy also explicitly states he will "serve thy brother," reaffirming Jacob's dominion over him. However, it offers a future hope of breaking free, "when thou shalt break loose, That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck," foreshadowing periods of rebellion and eventual independence for Esau's descendants from Israel.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And by thy sword shalt thou live, and thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt break loose, That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And by thy sword shalt thou live, and thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt break loose, That thou shalt shake his yoke from off thy neck.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

By your sword will you get your living and you will be your brother's servant; but when your power is increased his yoke will be broken from off your neck.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and by thy sword dost thou live, and thy brother dost thou serve; and it hath come to pass when thou rulest, that thou hast broken his yoke from off thy neck.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And by thy sword shalt thou live; And thou shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass when thou rovest about, That thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

Context

This verse continues Esau's blessing, addressing his future life and the difficult relationship with his brother. It directly follows the promises of his dwelling and sustenance. This prophecy regarding servitude and eventual freedom is crucial, as it provides a glimpse into the future interactions between the descendants of Jacob and Esau, and it immediately sets the stage for Esau's intense hatred.

v.39And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, of the fatness of the earth shall be thy dwelling, And of the dew of heaven from above;

v.40This passage

v.41And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 25:23

    And Jehovah said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels: And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger.

  • 2 Samuel 8:14

    And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And Jehovah gave victory to David whithersoever he went.

  • 2 Kings 8:20

    In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:17

    For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

  • Matthew 10:34

    Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:11

    And Amaziah took courage, and led forth his people, and went to the Valley of Salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

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