Isaac Blesses Jacob and Esau

Genesis 27–28 (selections)

ca. 1200–332 BCE

About This Entry

For these blessings in their narrative context, see Jacob Steals the Blessing.

Chapter 27

[To Jacob, thinking that he is Esau:] ²⁷And he smelled his clothes and he blessed him, saying, “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of the fields that the Lord has blessed.

²⁸“May God give you

Of the dew of heaven and the fat of the earth,

Abundance of new grain and wine.

²⁹Let peoples serve you,

And nations bow to you;

Be master over your brothers,

And let your mother’s sons bow to you.

Cursed be they who curse you,

Blessed they who bless you.”

[. . . To Esau:] ³⁹And his father Isaac answered, saying to him,

“See, your abode shall enjoy the fat of the earth

And the dew of heaven above.

⁴⁰Yet by your sword you shall live,

And you shall serve your brother;

But when you grow restive,

You shall break his yoke from your neck.”

Chapter 28

[To Jacob:] ³May El Shaddai bless you, make you fertile and numerous, so that you become an assembly of peoples. ⁴May He grant the blessing of Abraham to you and your offspring, that you may possess the land where you are sojourning, which God assigned to Abraham.”

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